Portuguese · People & Family
"Miss" in Portuguese: senhorita
senhorita
Miss as a title in Portuguese is senhorita. You may still hear it in service speech, though many Brazilians now prefer o primeiro nome or só você.
Calling a server
Senhorita, a conta quando puder.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce senhorita
Say it
seh-nyo-REE-tah
/se.ɲo.ˈɾi.ta/
seh-nyo-REE-tah
"Miss" in Portuguese: quick reference
| Portuguese | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| senhorita | Miss Traditional title for an unmarried woman. | Traditional title for an unmarried woman. |
| senhorita, por favor | Miss, please Getting a waitress or clerk's attention. | Getting a waitress or clerk's attention. |
| a senhorita | the young woman / Miss Referring to someone politely. | Referring to someone politely. |
| moça | miss / young woman (informal) Warmer everyday alternative in Brazil. | Warmer everyday alternative in Brazil. |
How to use senhorita in real life
- 1Calling a server
Senhorita, a conta quando puder.
Miss, the check when you can.
Service attention-getter.
- 2Hotel front desk
A senhorita do quarto 12 pediu toalhas.
The miss from room 12 asked for towels.
Staff talking about a guest.
- 3Old letter style
O envelope estava endereçado à senhorita Alves.
The envelope was addressed to Miss Alves.
Formal written title.
Mistakes English speakers make with senhorita
Incorrect: Miss, a conta.
Correct: Senhorita, a conta.
Use senhorita, not English Miss.
Incorrect: Senhorito, vem cá.
Correct: Senhorita, por favor.
The feminine title is senhorita; senhorito is not the usual form.
Good to know
Senhorita can sound dated or overly formal to younger Brazilians. In cafés, moça or a simple com licença often feels more natural, but senhorita still appears with older speakers and careful service staff.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Ordering at a traditional café
ChatPal
Senhorita, tem café expresso?
Miss, do you have espresso?
You
Acho que sim. Senhorita, dois expressos, por favor.
I think so. Miss, two espressos, please.
ChatPal
E água sem gás para a senhorita também.
And still water for the young lady too.
You
Perfeito, obrigada.
Perfect, thanks.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Miss" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Miss" in Portuguese
Is senhorita still common?
Yes with some staff, but many people prefer names or moça.
Does this mean I miss you?
No—that is saudades / sentir falta. This entry is the title Miss.
How do I address a married woman?
Often senhora, or just the first name.
Safer café call?
Com licença or Moça, por favor.
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
