Portuguese · People & Family
"Teacher" in Portuguese: professor / professora
o professor / a professora
Teacher in Portuguese is o professor or a professora. Kids say minha professora; adults still use professor for instructors and lecturers.
School pickup
A professora pediu para praticar a leitura em casa.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce professor / professora
Say it
pro-feh-SOHR / pro-feh-SOH-rah
/pɾo.fes.ˈsoʁ/, /pɾo.fes.ˈso.ɾa/
pro-feh-SOHR / pro-feh-SOH-rah. Final r soft in much of Brazil.
"Teacher" in Portuguese: quick reference
| Portuguese | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| o professor | the teacher (m.) Male teacher. | Male teacher. |
| a professora | the teacher (f.) Female teacher. | Female teacher. |
| professores | teachers Plural mixed/male. | Plural mixed/male. |
| sala dos professores | teachers’ lounge School building. | School building. |
How to use professor / professora in real life
- 1School pickup
A professora pediu para praticar a leitura em casa.
The teacher asked us to practice reading at home.
A professora.
- 2University
O professor adiou a prova para sexta.
The professor postponed the test to Friday.
O professor.
- 3Respectful address
Oi, professora — posso entregar amanhã?
Hi, teacher — can I turn it in tomorrow?
Vocative.
Mistakes English speakers make with professor / professora
Incorrect: A professor chegou.
Correct: A professora chegou. / O professor chegou.
Use professora for women; professor for men.
Incorrect: My teacher é legal.
Correct: Meu professor / minha professora é legal.
Use the Portuguese nouns.
Good to know
Calling someone professor/professora is respectful in schools and clinics. Mestre appears in martial arts and some crafts. Kids often say pró as a short nickname for a liked teacher.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Talking about homework
ChatPal
O que a professora passou de lição?
What homework did the teacher assign?
You
A professora pediu um texto curto.
The teacher asked for a short text.
ChatPal
Seu professor de matemática ajuda nas dúvidas?
Does your math teacher help with questions?
You
Ajuda sim, depois da aula.
Yes, after class.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Teacher" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Teacher" in Portuguese
Male vs female?
Professor / professora.
How to address them?
Professor / Professora + name, or just Professora.
Plural?
Professores / professoras.
University too?
Yes — same words.
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
