Portuguese · People & Family
"Last name" in Portuguese: sobrenome
o sobrenome
Note: PT-PT: o apelido
Last name in Portuguese is o sobrenome. Say meu sobrenome é… on forms. In European Portuguese o apelido is common for last name; in Brazil apelido usually means nickname.
Hotel check-in
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How to pronounce sobrenome
Say it
soh-breh-NOH-mee
/so.bɾe.ˈno.mi/
soh-breh-NOH-mee
"Last name" in Portuguese: quick reference
| Portuguese | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| o sobrenome | the last name / surname Default in Brazil. | Default in Brazil. |
| meu sobrenome | my last name Forms. | Forms. |
| sobrenome de solteira | maiden name Official docs. | Official docs. |
| nome e sobrenome | first and last name Full ID. | Full ID. |
How to use sobrenome in real life
- 1Hotel check-in
Pode soletrar o sobrenome, por favor?
Can you spell the last name, please?
Front desk.
- 2School form
Escreva o sobrenome completo da criança.
Write the child’s full last name.
Paperwork.
- 3Email intro
Meu sobrenome é Packard; uso nos dois e-mails.
My last name is Packard; I use it on both emails.
Identity.
Mistakes English speakers make with sobrenome
Incorrect: Qual é o seu last name?
Correct: Qual é o seu sobrenome?
Use sobrenome, not English last name.
Incorrect: Meu apelido é Silva. (meaning surname in Brazil)
Correct: Meu sobrenome é Silva.
In Brazil apelido is usually nickname; sobrenome is surname. PT-PT uses apelido for surname.
Good to know
Brazilian forms ask nome and sobrenome separately. Many people have two family names. In Portugal, apelido often means surname—say so when talking with PT-PT speakers, but keep sobrenome in Brazil.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Filling a clinic form
ChatPal
Seu sobrenome está certo aqui?
Is your last name correct here?
You
Falta uma letra no sobrenome.
There’s a letter missing in the last name.
ChatPal
Vou corrigir o sobrenome agora.
I’ll fix the last name now.
You
Obrigada. Depois assino.
Thanks. I’ll sign afterward.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Last name" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Last name" in Portuguese
Brazil word?
O sobrenome.
My last name?
Meu sobrenome.
PT-PT?
Often o apelido for surname.
Nickname in Brazil?
Apelido (not sobrenome).
Learn a word, then use it out loud
- Step 1: See it in context
- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
