Portuguese · Home, Clothes & Daily Life
"Soap" in Portuguese: sabonete
o sabonete
Note: laundry soap: o sabão
Soap in Portuguese for hand and body bars is o sabonete. Laundry soap is usually o sabão — different shelf word.
Bathroom
Acabou o sabonete — tem outro no armário?Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce sabonete
Say it
sah-bo-NEH-chee
/sa.bo.ˈne.tʃi/
sah-bo-NEH-chee. Soft t like ch in many Brazilian accents.
"Soap" in Portuguese: quick reference
| Portuguese | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| o sabonete | the (bar/body) soap Bathroom soap. | Bathroom soap. |
| sabonete líquido | liquid soap Dispensers. | Dispensers. |
| o sabão | laundry / cleaning soap Different product. | Different product. |
| saboneteira | soap dish Bathroom accessory. | Bathroom accessory. |
How to use sabonete in real life
- 1Bathroom
Acabou o sabonete — tem outro no armário?
We’re out of soap — is there another in the cupboard?
Household.
- 2Hotel amenity
O hotel deixou sabonete e shampoo novos.
The hotel left new soap and shampoo.
Travel.
- 3Sensitive skin
Prefiro sabonete sem perfume para o rosto.
I prefer unscented soap for my face.
Preference.
Mistakes English speakers make with sabonete
Incorrect: A sabonete acabou.
Correct: O sabonete acabou.
Sabonete is masculine.
Incorrect: Lava a roupa com sabonete.
Correct: Lava a roupa com sabão.
Laundry needs sabão; body soap is sabonete.
Good to know
Brazilians separate sabonete (personal) from sabão (laundry/cleaning). Asking for sabonete in a bathroom always lands. Liquid dispensers are sabonete líquido.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Restocking the bathroom
ChatPal
Compramos sabonete líquido ou em barra?
Are we buying liquid soap or bar soap?
You
Líquido — o sabonete em barra escorrega demais.
Liquid — the bar soap slips too much.
ChatPal
Ok. Um sabonete neutro para visitas.
Okay. One mild soap for guests.
You
E sabão separado para a louça.
And separate dish soap for the dishes.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Soap" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Soap" in Portuguese
Sabonete vs sabão?
Sabonete for body/hands; sabão for laundry/cleaning.
Gender?
Masculine: o sabonete.
Liquid soap?
Sabonete líquido.
Soap dish?
Saboneteira.
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
