Hi guys! Today we are going to discuss paraxytone in Portuguese. Paroxytone words are the words where the strongest syllable is the second-to-last one. What is the strongest syllable? The stressed one, which sound the loudest in a word. They are the biggest group of words in the Portuguese language. So let’s dive deeper into this theme and learn more about it!
Paroxytone Words without Diacritics in Portuguese
Now, Moisés, one of our teachers from Rio & Learn, is going to tell us more about paroxytones to begin with, and explain a bit about the paroxytones without diacritics. Don’t forget to turn the English subtitles on if needed:
Let’s review the examples of paraxytone words without diacritics:
| Ajuda | Help |
| Multa | Ticket |
| Vera | Vera |
| Atitude | Attitude |
| Chuva | Rain |
| Alicate | Pliers |
| Sistema | System |
Paroxytone Words with Diacritics in Portuguese
Some paroxytone words receive diacritics, we just have to pay attention at the end of the word. We put diacritics on paroxytone words ended in the consonants L, N, R and X. Take a look, and don’t forget to turn on the subtitles:
Remember: if you want to study this and many other subjects in Portuguese, consider studying with us online! Now, let’s review not only the examples given during the video, but also some other examples of paroxytones ending in consonants:
Words Ending in L
| Fácil | Easy |
| Difícil | Difficult |
| Responsável | Responsible |
| Amável | Lovely |
| Útil | Useful |
| Fútil | Futile |
| Deplorável | Deplorable |
| Cônsul | Consul |
Words Ending in N
| Hífen | Hyphen |
| Éden | Eden |
| Pólen | Pollen |
| Abdômen | Abdomen |
| Glúten | Gluten |
Words Ending in R
| Éter | Ether |
| Repórter | Reporter |
| Cadáver | Corpse |
| Dólar | Dollar |
| Açúcar | Sugar |
| Câncer | Cancer |
| Néctar | Nectar |
Words Ending in X
| Tórax | Chest |
| Látex | Latex |
| Clímax | Climax |
| Fênix | Phoenix |
Special Cases with Diacritics
There are also paroxytone words that receive diacritics even though they don’t have the consonants we have just seen in the end. Let’s listen to them, and also read them in the subtitles:
Let’s review not only the examples given during the video, but also some other examples of paroxytones with special cases:
Words Ending in à or ÃS
| Órfã | Orphan (singular feminine) |
| Ímã | Magnet |
| Órfãs | Orphans (plural feminine) |
Words Ending in ÃO or ÃOS
| Órfão | Orphan (singular masculine) |
| Bênção | Blessing |
| Órfãos | Orphans (plural masculine) |
Words Ending in I or IS
| Júri | Court |
| Táxi | Taxi |
| Lápis | Pencil |
| Íris | Iris |
| Pênis | Penis |
Words Ending in ON or ONS
| Nêutron | Neutron |
| Elétron | Electron |
| Elétrons | Electrons |
Ending in PS
| Bíceps | Biceps |
| Tríceps | Triceps |
| Fórceps | Forceps |
Words Ending in UM or UNS
| Álbum | Album |
| Médium | Medium |
| Fórum | Forum |
| Fóruns | Forums |
Ending in US
| Ônus | Onus |
| Vírus | Virus |
| Vênus | Venus |
Words Ending in Diphthong
| Polícia | Police |
| Malícia | Malice |
| Matéria | Subject |
| Água | Water |
| Língua | Tongue |
| Régua | Ruler |
| Série | Series |
| Espécie | Species |
| Área | Area |
| Aérea | Aerial |
| Áurea | Golden |
| Sócio | Partner |
| Exercício | Exercise |
| Fábio | Fábio (typical Brazilian name) |
Exercise for Paroxytone in Portuguese
Rewrite the words on our list using accent marks when necessary:
| Cadeira | Impar |
| Abraço | Carater |
| Obvio | Brinquedo |
| Amigo | Reptil |
| Cemiterio | Tenis |
| Confiavel | Menino |
| Paradoxo | Fossil |
| Homem | Felicidade |
That’s all for today, guys! Good luck with the exercise. If you have doubts about words or anything related to Portuguese don’t hesitate to send us a tweet.
We meet again on our next Dica of Portuguese for foreigners.
XOXO
Click on the links below to see more related Dicas
Proparoxytone Words
Oxytone Words
Accents in Portuguese
Answers
| Cadeira | Ímpar |
| Abraço | Caráter |
| Óbvio | Brinquedo |
| Amigo | Réptil |
| Cemitério | Tênis |
| Confiável | Menino |
| Paradoxo | Fóssil |
| Homem | Felicidade |
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