Portuguese · Time, Numbers & Colors

"Black" in Portuguese: preto/a

preto/a

Say it: PREH-tooadjective/ˈpɾe.tu/

Black in Portuguese is preto (preta with feminine nouns). Say carro preto and blusa preta. Café preto means black coffee.

Outfit

Vou de calça preta na reunião.
I’ll wear black pants to the meeting.
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How to pronounce preto/a

Say it

PREH-too

/ˈpɾe.tu/

PREH-too

"Black" in Portuguese: quick reference

PortugueseEnglish
preto / pretablack

Gender agreement.

pretos / pretasblack (plural)

Many items.

café pretoblack coffee

Drink order.

preto-foscomatte black

Design.

How to use preto/a in real life

  1. 1Outfit

    Vou de calça preta na reunião.

    I’ll wear black pants to the meeting.

    Feminine.

  2. 2Car

    O carro preto estacionou na frente.

    The black car parked in front.

    Masculine.

  3. 3Café

    Quero um café preto sem açúcar.

    I want a black coffee without sugar.

    Order.

Mistakes English speakers make with preto/a

Incorrect: A camisa está black.

Correct: A camisa está preta.

Use preto/preta.

Incorrect: A bolsa é preto.

Correct: A bolsa é preta.

Agree gender: bolsa → preta.

Good to know

Preto is the color word; talking about people requires care—use the terms people use for themselves. Café preto is a clear coffee order. Plural pretos/pretas for multiple items.

Try it in a ChatPal conversation

Choosing shoes

  1. ChatPal

    Você prefere o tênis preto ou o branco?

    Do you prefer the black sneakers or the white ones?

  2. You

    O preto combina com tudo.

    The black ones go with everything.

  3. ChatPal

    Então leva o preto número trinta e nove.

    Then take the black ones in size 39.

  4. You

    Fecho. Pago no cartão.

    Deal. I’ll pay by card.

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"Black" in other languages

FAQ

Common questions about "Black" in Portuguese

Black?

Preto / preta.

Black coffee?

Café preto.

Plural?

Pretos / pretas.

Matte black?

Preto-fosco.

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