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A2 verb #7,000 most common 12 min read

ceiar

Top 7,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips ceiar in 30 Seconds

Explanation ceiar in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should know that 'ceiar' is a verb for eating late at night. You might not use it often, but you will see it in holiday cards or basic stories about Christmas. Think of it as 'late dinner'. It follows the same pattern as other '-ar' verbs like 'falar' or 'estudar'. You can use it in simple sentences like 'Eu ceio às dez' (I have supper at ten). It is important to distinguish it from 'jantar' (dinner) and 'almoçar' (lunch). At this stage, focus on the present tense and the basic idea of a midnight snack or a holiday meal. You don't need to worry about the complex cultural history yet; just know that if you eat very late, this is the word you use.

At the A2 level, you can start using 'ceiar' to describe your daily routines or special events. You should be able to conjugate it in the past tense (Pretérito Perfeito) to talk about what you did, especially during the holidays. For example, 'No Natal, nós ceiamos à meia-noite' (At Christmas, we had supper at midnight). You should also recognize the noun form, 'a ceia'. At this level, you understand that 'ceiar' is different from 'jantar' because of the time. You can use it when talking about going out late or staying up to study. It's a useful word for discussing cultural traditions in Brazil and Portugal, where late-night eating is more common than in many English-speaking countries.

At the B1 level, you should be comfortable using 'ceiar' in various tenses, including the future and the imperfect. You understand that 'ceiar' often implies a social or traditional context. You can explain the difference between a 'ceia' and a 'jantar' to someone else. You might use it in more complex sentences, such as 'Se tivéssemos chegado mais cedo, poderíamos ter ceiado com eles' (If we had arrived earlier, we could have had supper with them). You also begin to notice the word in literature or news reports about holiday celebrations. You are aware of the spelling variant 'cear' and can recognize it in text, even if you prefer to use 'ceiar' in speech.

At the B2 level, you understand the nuances of register. You know that 'ceiar' can sound a bit more formal or traditional than simply 'comer algo à noite'. you can use it to describe atmosphere and cultural habits in detail. You might use the verb in the context of hospitality, such as describing hotel services or restaurant hours. You are familiar with the religious connotations of 'A Última Ceia' and how that influences the word's usage in certain contexts. Your vocabulary includes related terms like 'petiscar' and you can choose between them to express exactly what kind of late-night eating you are referring to. You also use the verb correctly in the subjunctive mood for hypothetical situations.

At the C1 level, you use 'ceiar' with native-like precision. You understand its historical roots and how it has evolved in different Lusophone regions. You can appreciate its use in classical literature and use it yourself to add a specific 'flavor' to your writing. You might use it metaphorically or in idiomatic expressions if they arise. You are fully aware of the 'cear' vs 'ceiar' debate and can adapt your spelling based on the regional standard or the desired level of formality. You can discuss the sociology of late-night eating and how the 'ceia' serves as a space for intimacy and conversation in Lusophone cultures. Your use of the verb is effortless and contextually perfect.

At the C2 level, you have a masterly command of 'ceiar'. You can analyze its phonological evolution from the Latin 'cenare' and discuss its relationship with other Romance languages (like the Spanish 'cenar', which ironically means 'to dine' rather than 'to have supper'). You can use the verb in highly sophisticated academic or literary contexts, perhaps debating the impact of modern schedules on the traditional 'ceia'. You recognize rare or archaic forms of the verb in 16th-century texts and can interpret its significance in those historical settings. The word is part of your deep cultural and linguistic intuition, allowing you to use it with all its layers of meaning—from a simple snack to a sacred banquet.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

ceiar in 30 Seconds

Ceiar means to have a late-night meal or supper, typically after 10 PM.
It is different from 'jantar', which is the standard main evening meal.
The word is famously used for the Christmas Eve midnight feast (Ceia de Natal).
It follows regular -ar verb conjugation, though 'cear' is a common spelling variant.

The Portuguese verb ceiar (often spelled as cear in modern standard Portuguese) refers to the act of having a late-evening meal, typically known as supper. While the primary evening meal in Lusophone cultures is the jantar (dinner), which usually takes place between 7:00 PM and 9:00 PM, the ceia is a lighter or more festive meal consumed much later, often just before bed or during special late-night celebrations. Understanding the nuances of this word requires looking at the cultural rhythm of the day in countries like Portugal and Brazil, where social life often extends late into the night. When you use the verb ceiar, you are not just talking about eating; you are describing a specific temporal and social ritual that marks the transition from the active evening to the hours of rest.

Temporal Context: This verb is strictly used for meals consumed after the standard dinner hour, usually from 10:00 PM onwards. In a domestic setting, it might be a simple bowl of soup or a piece of bread, whereas in a festive setting, it represents a grand banquet.

Depois do espetáculo, nós fomos ceiar num restaurante que fica aberto até tarde.

Historically, the word is deeply rooted in religious and social traditions. The most famous instance of this action is 'A Última Ceia' (The Last Supper), which has solidified the term in the collective consciousness as a moment of gathering and significance. In modern times, the verb is frequently heard during the holiday season. The Ceia de Natal is the centerpiece of Christmas Eve celebrations in Brazil and Portugal. Families gather around midnight to ceiar, sharing traditional dishes like bacalhau (codfish) or peru (turkey). Outside of holidays, the verb might be used by night owls or professionals who work late shifts and need a meal before sleeping.

Social Register: Using this verb often implies a level of formality or a traditional approach to eating. It is less common in casual slang, where people might simply say 'comer algo' (eat something), but it remains essential for describing holiday customs.

É um hábito saudável ceiar algo leve antes de dormir para não pesar o estômago.

Furthermore, the verb carries a connotation of intimacy. Because it occurs late at night, often within the home or among close friends after an event, to ceiar with someone suggests a closer bond than a standard business lunch or a quick breakfast. It is the meal of secrets, late-night conversations, and the quiet end of a day. In literature, it is often used to set a scene of nocturnal reflection or communal peace. Whether it's a simple snack or a midnight feast, the action of ceiar completes the daily culinary cycle in the Lusophone world.

Linguistic Variation: While 'ceiar' and 'cear' are variants, the conjugation remains consistent with first-conjugation verbs (-ar), though the 'i' in 'ceiar' persists in some regional dialects of Brazil more than in European Portuguese.

No interior, ainda é comum as famílias se reunirem para ceiar pão com leite.

Using the verb ceiar correctly involves understanding its placement in time and its grammatical structure as a regular -ar verb. It functions similarly to other verbs of consumption like comer or beber, but it is intransitive or followed by a direct object depending on the context. For example, you can simply say 'Eu vou ceiar' (I am going to have supper) or 'Eu vou ceiar uma sopa' (I am going to have a soup for supper). The key is the timing; if you use this verb at 6:00 PM, a native speaker will likely correct you, suggesting jantar instead.

Basic Conjugation: In the present tense: Eu ceio, tu ceias, ele/ela ceia, nós ceiamos, vós ceiais, eles/elas ceiam. Note the vowel shift in the stem for clarity in pronunciation.

Sempre ceiamos juntos na noite de Natal, é a nossa tradição mais querida.

In everyday conversation, ceiar is often used in the infinitive form following auxiliary verbs like ir (to go) or querer (to want). This is common when planning the end of an evening. If you are out with friends and the night is winding down, you might ask, 'Querem ceiar algo antes de ir para casa?' (Do you want to have supper before going home?). This implies a casual, light meal. However, in a formal invitation, such as for a wedding or a high-profile event, 'O serviço de ceia será servido à meia-noite' (The supper service will be served at midnight) uses the noun form, but the verb ceiar would be used to describe the guests' action.

The Imperative and Suggestion: When inviting someone to eat late, the imperative is often used gently: 'Venha ceiar conosco!' (Come have supper with us!). It sounds welcoming and warm.

Se você chegar tarde da viagem, pode ceiar aqui em casa; deixarei algo pronto.

When writing, especially in creative or descriptive contexts, ceiar can be used to evoke a specific atmosphere. 'Eles ceiavam sob a luz das estrelas' (They were having supper under the starlight) creates a much more poetic image than simply saying they were eating. The verb allows you to specify the 'what' and 'how' of the late-night experience. It's also important to note that in Brazil, the 'i' in the spelling ceiar is sometimes omitted in formal writing (cear), but the pronunciation often retains a slight palatal glide that makes the 'i' sound present anyway.

Past Tense Usage: The preterite is very common for recounting holiday events: 'Ontem nós ceamos muito tarde e hoje acordamos cansados'.

Antigamente, as pessoas costumavam ceiar apenas um caldo verde antes de dormir.

In the modern, fast-paced world, you might not hear ceiar every single day, as the habit of a formal late supper is becoming less common in urban centers. However, there are three primary environments where this word is ubiquitous. First and foremost is the family home during the month of December. In Brazil and Portugal, the Ceia de Natal (Christmas Supper) is the most significant meal of the year. You will hear grandmothers asking, 'A que horas vamos ceiar?' (What time are we going to have supper?) as the family waits for midnight to strike. In this context, the word carries immense emotional weight and tradition.

Holiday Context: During Christmas and New Year's Eve, 'ceiar' is the standard verb for the midnight feast. It is rarely replaced by 'jantar' in these specific instances.

Na Passagem de Ano, é costume ceiar doze uvas para dar sorte em cada mês do ano novo.

The second environment is the hospitality and nightlife industry. High-end hotels often have a 'menu de ceia' for guests arriving on late flights or returning from late events. If you call room service at 1:00 AM, the attendant might ask if you wish to ceiar in your room. Similarly, in Lisbon or Rio de Janeiro, after a night of Fado or Samba, it is common to find 'casas de ceia'—establishments specifically designed for late-night dining. Here, the verb is used by staff and patrons alike to distinguish this meal from a standard dinner.

Hospitality Usage: Restaurants that specialize in late-night service often use 'ceiar' in their marketing to attract theatre-goers or party-goers looking for a post-event meal.

O hotel oferece a opção de ceiar no quarto para os hóspedes que chegam no voo da madrugada.

Finally, you will encounter the verb in religious discourse and literature. Because of its association with 'A Última Ceia', the verb ceiar often appears in sermons, biblical translations, and historical novels. In these contexts, it signifies more than just eating; it represents communion, fellowship, and a shared spiritual experience. If you are reading a classic Portuguese novel by Eça de Queirós or Machado de Assis, you will frequently find characters who ceiam while discussing the politics or scandals of the day. This usage highlights the verb's deep roots in the social fabric of the Portuguese-speaking world, linking the past to the present-day midnight snack.

Literature and Media: Historical dramas and period pieces frequently use the verb to maintain an authentic atmosphere of the 19th and early 20th centuries.

No livro, os conspiradores se encontravam para ceiar e planejar a revolução em segredo.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make with the verb ceiar is using it as a direct synonym for 'to have dinner'. In English, 'supper' and 'dinner' are often used interchangeably depending on the region, but in Portuguese, jantar and ceiar are distinct. If you tell a Portuguese friend at 7:00 PM that you are going to ceiar, they will be very confused, as they are likely just sitting down to jantar. Always remember: jantar is the main event; ceiar is the late-night encore.

The Confusion with 'Jantar': Mistake: Using 'ceiar' for a meal at 7 PM or 8 PM. Correction: Use 'jantar' for the main evening meal and 'ceiar' for anything after 10 PM.

Não diga 'vou ceiar' às sete da noite; o termo correto para esse horário é 'jantar'.

Another common issue is the spelling and conjugation. As mentioned, ceiar and cear are variants. While ceiar is accepted and common in some regions, cear is often the preferred dictionary form in modern European Portuguese and formal Brazilian Portuguese. Learners sometimes get confused when they see 'ceamos' (from cear) and 'ceiamos' (from ceiar). Both are generally understood, but sticking to one form in a single piece of writing is important for consistency. Furthermore, don't confuse ceia (supper) with seia (which is not a word, though it sounds similar to 'seja' or 'seia' from 'ser' in some archaic contexts).

Spelling Consistency: Mistake: Mixing 'cear' and 'ceiar' in the same text. Correction: Choose the standard 'cear' for formal documents or 'ceiar' if you want to reflect a specific regional or traditional tone.

Muitos alunos confundem a grafia de ceiar com o verbo 'ser', mas eles têm significados e origens totalmente diferentes.

Lastly, learners often forget that ceiar can be used intransitively. You don't always need an object. Saying 'Já ceiei' (I've already had supper) is perfectly complete. Some learners try to force a preposition like 'Eu ceiei com uma sopa', which is technically okay but sounds a bit clunky. It's more natural to say 'Eu ceiei uma sopa' (direct object) or 'Eu tomei uma sopa na ceia'. Understanding these subtle syntactic preferences will make your Portuguese sound much more native and less like a direct translation from English.

Overcomplicating the Sentence: Mistake: 'Eu ceiei com pão'. Correction: 'Eu ceiei pão' or 'Eu comi pão na ceia'. Simple is usually better in Portuguese culinary verbs.

Se você já ceiou, podemos apenas conversar um pouco antes de dormir.

Portuguese has a rich vocabulary for eating, and choosing the right verb depends on the time of day and the size of the meal. While ceiar is specifically for the late-night meal, it exists alongside several other verbs that learners often confuse. The most important distinction is with jantar (to dine). While jantar is the main evening event, ceiar is the final, often lighter, intake of food. If you are 'grabbing a bite' late at night, you might also use petiscar, which means to snack or eat appetizers, often while drinking.

Ceiar vs. Jantar: Jantar is the formal dinner (7-9 PM). Ceiar is the late supper (10 PM-12 AM+). You 'jantar' for sustenance; you 'ceiar' for tradition or to avoid hunger during sleep.

Enquanto o jantar é uma refeição completa, ceiar geralmente envolve algo mais leve, como chá e torradas.

Another alternative is lanchar. However, lanchar is almost exclusively used for the afternoon snack (the 'merenda' or 'lanche') between lunch and dinner. You would never lanchar at midnight. If you are eating small amounts of various foods late at night, petiscar is a great alternative. It implies a more social, casual vibe, like eating tapas or finger foods at a bar. Ceiar remains more 'homey' or 'ceremonial'. In some regions, people use merendar for any light meal, but this is less common for late-night eating than ceiar.

Ceiar vs. Petiscar: Petiscar is about the action of picking at food (snacks). Ceiar is about the mealtime itself. You can petiscar during a ceia, but they are not the same thing.

Nós não vamos fazer uma refeição completa; vamos apenas petiscar alguns queijos e vinhos.

In a more formal or poetic register, you might see the verb banquetear-se (to banquet), which could describe a particularly lavish ceia. However, this is quite rare in daily speech. For religious contexts, comungar (to commune) is sometimes associated with the Last Supper, but it refers to the spiritual act rather than the physical eating. For the average learner, the most useful thing is to contrast ceiar with jantar and comer algo leve. This ensures you convey the right time and the right quantity of food without sounding archaic or overly formal when it's not required.

Summary of Alternatives: Jantar (Dinner), Lanchar (Afternoon snack), Petiscar (To snack/pick at), Merendar (To have a light meal), Comer (To eat - general).

Depois do cinema, em vez de ceiar em casa, decidimos comer um hambúrguer na rua.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

In Spanish, 'cenar' still means 'to have dinner', whereas in Portuguese, it moved to mean 'to have supper', showing how sister languages can diverge in their culinary vocabulary.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /seɪˈaɾ/

US /seɪˈɑr/

The stress is on the last syllable: cei-AR.

Rhymes With

jantar falar andar olhar amar pensar chegar levar

Common Errors

Pronouncing the 'c' like a 'k' (it should be an 's' sound).
Stressing the first syllable instead of the last.
Omiting the 'i' sound entirely in regions where 'ceiar' is the standard spelling.
Confusing it with the word 'cheia' (full), which has a 'sh' sound.
Mixing it up with 'seja' (the verb 'to be' in subjunctive).

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize in context, especially during holidays.

Writing 3/5

Spelling variations (cear/ceiar) can be slightly confusing for beginners.

Speaking 2/5

Standard -ar conjugation makes it easy to pronounce.

Listening 2/5

Clear pronunciation, though it can sound like 'seja' if spoken very fast.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

comer jantar noite fome mesa

Learn Next

petiscar banquetear jejuar sobremesa degustar

Advanced

frugalidade consoada gastronomia comensal repasto

Grammar to Know

Regular -ar verbs conjugation

Eu ceio, tu ceias, ele ceia.

Use of 'ir' + infinitive for immediate future

Eu vou ceiar agora.

Subjunctive mood for wishes and doubts

Espero que nós ceiemos juntos.

Preterite vs. Imperfect for past actions

Ontem ceiei (specific) vs. Eu ceiava (habitual).

Direct object placement with verbs of eating

Eu a ceiei (I ate it - referring to the soup/ceia).

Examples by Level

Eu vou ceiar agora.

I am going to have supper now.

Simple future with 'vou' + infinitive.

Você ceia tarde?

Do you have supper late?

Present tense question.

Nós não ceiamos hoje.

We are not having supper today.

Negative sentence in the present tense.

Eles ceiam pão com queijo.

They have bread and cheese for supper.

Subject-verb agreement for 'eles'.

Ela gosta de ceiar cedo.

She likes to have supper early (for a supper).

Verb 'gostar' followed by 'de' + infinitive.

O que você vai ceiar?

What are you going to have for supper?

Interrogative pronoun 'o que'.

Eu ceio com minha família.

I have supper with my family.

Preposition 'com' indicating company.

É hora de ceiar.

It is time to have supper.

Impersonal expression 'é hora de'.

Ontem nós ceiamos à meia-noite.

Yesterday we had supper at midnight.

Preterite tense of a regular -ar verb.

Eu já ceiei, obrigado.

I have already had supper, thank you.

Use of the adverb 'já' with the preterite.

No Natal, sempre ceiamos peru.

At Christmas, we always have turkey for supper.

Frequency adverb 'sempre'.

Eles estavam ceando quando eu cheguei.

They were having supper when I arrived.

Past continuous using 'estar' + gerund.

Você quer ceiar conosco amanhã?

Do you want to have supper with us tomorrow?

Infinitive after the verb 'querer'.

Ela nunca ceia antes de dormir.

She never has supper before sleeping.

Negative adverb 'nunca'.

Nós vamos ceiar num restaurante novo.

We are going to have supper at a new restaurant.

Future construction with 'ir'.

O menino ceiou uma sopa quente.

The boy had a hot soup for supper.

Direct object 'uma sopa quente'.

Se você chegar tarde, podemos ceiar juntos.

If you arrive late, we can have supper together.

Conditional sentence using the future subjunctive.

Costumávamos ceiar enquanto assistíamos ao jornal.

We used to have supper while we watched the news.

Imperfect tense to describe a habit.

Espero que eles ceiem bem na festa.

I hope they have a good supper at the party.

Present subjunctive after 'esperar que'.

Embora fosse tarde, decidimos ceiar.

Although it was late, we decided to have supper.

Concessive clause with 'embora' + subjunctive.

Onde vocês preferem ceiar hoje à noite?

Where do you prefer to have supper tonight?

Verb 'preferir' with an infinitive.

Ela disse que já tinha ceiado quando liguei.

She said she had already had supper when I called.

Past perfect (tinha + participle) in reported speech.

É tradição ceiar bacalhau na véspera de Natal.

It is a tradition to have codfish for supper on Christmas Eve.

Impersonal construction 'é tradição'.

Para ceiar leve, prefira frutas ou iogurte.

To have a light supper, prefer fruits or yogurt.

Imperative form for advice.

O evento terminou tarde, então fomos ceiar no centro.

The event ended late, so we went to have supper downtown.

Conjunction 'então' showing consequence.

Duvido que eles queiram ceiar depois de tanto comer.

I doubt they want to have supper after eating so much.

Subjunctive after 'duvidar que'.

Ao ceiar, evite alimentos muito gordurosos.

When having supper, avoid very fatty foods.

Infinitive preceded by 'ao' to indicate time.

Eles teriam ceiado se o restaurante estivesse aberto.

They would have had supper if the restaurant had been open.

Conditional perfect + pluperfect subjunctive.

O hotel disponibiliza um buffet para quem deseja ceiar.

The hotel provides a buffet for those who wish to have supper.

Relative clause 'para quem'.

Não convém ceiar e ir dormir imediatamente.

It is not advisable to have supper and go to sleep immediately.

Impersonal verb 'convir'.

A família reuniu-se para ceiar e trocar presentes.

The family gathered to have supper and exchange gifts.

Pronominal verb 'reunir-se'.

Mesmo cansados, eles não abriram mão de ceiar.

Even though they were tired, they did not give up having supper.

Idiomatic expression 'abrir mão de'.

A obra descreve minuciosamente o hábito de ceiar da aristocracia.

The work describes in detail the aristocracy's habit of having supper.

Adverb 'minuciosamente' modifying the verb.

Convidei-o para ceiar, mas ele declinou com elegância.

I invited him for supper, but he declined with elegance.

Pronominal object 'o' attached to the verb.

É imperativo que se ceie com moderação antes do repouso.

It is imperative that one has supper with moderation before resting.

Passive 'se' with the subjunctive.

O anfitrião insistiu para que ficássemos para ceiar.

The host insisted that we stay for supper.

Subjunctive after 'insistir para que'.

Raramente se vê alguém ceiar de forma tão cerimoniosa hoje em dia.

Rarely does one see someone having supper in such a ceremonial way nowadays.

Inversion for emphasis with 'raramente'.

A ceia, ato de ceiar, transcende a mera nutrição no contexto religioso.

The supper, the act of having supper, transcends mere nutrition in a religious context.

Apposition explaining the noun 'ceia'.

Caso venham a ceiar conosco, tragam o vinho.

Should you come to have supper with us, bring the wine.

Hypothetical 'caso' + subjunctive.

Ceiar em silêncio era uma regra estrita naquele mosteiro.

Having supper in silence was a strict rule in that monastery.

Infinitive used as a noun/subject.

A etimologia de ceiar remete-nos ao latim 'cenare', outrora a refeição principal.

The etymology of 'ceiar' takes us back to the Latin 'cenare', formerly the main meal.

Archaic adverb 'outrora'.

Oxalá pudéssemos ceiar como os antigos, sem a pressa do mundo moderno.

Would that we could have supper like the ancients, without the rush of the modern world.

Interjection 'oxalá' with the imperfect subjunctive.

O protagonista, em seu solilóquio, ponderava sobre o que ceiar.

The protagonist, in his soliloquy, pondered over what to have for supper.

Literary term 'solilóquio'.

Não obstante a hora tardia, a comitiva parou para ceiar na estalagem.

Notwithstanding the late hour, the entourage stopped to have supper at the inn.

Formal conjunction 'não obstante'.

A frugalidade com que ceiava contrastava com sua imensa fortuna.

The frugality with which he had supper contrasted with his immense fortune.

Noun 'frugalidade' and relative 'com que'.

Ceiemos, pois, enquanto a noite ainda nos pertence.

Let us have supper, then, while the night still belongs to us.

Hortatory subjunctive (first person plural).

A penumbra da sala convidava a ceiar e a confidenciar segredos.

The dim light of the room invited one to have supper and to share secrets.

Parallel structure with 'a' + infinitive.

A despeito de sua dieta, ele não resistiu a ceiar os doces conventuais.

Despite his diet, he could not resist having the conventual sweets for supper.

Expression 'a despeito de'.

Common Collocations

ceiar leve

ceiar à meia-noite

ceiar em família

ceiar fora

ceiar uma sopa

ceiar pão

ceiar tarde

convidar para ceiar

parar para ceiar

ceiar juntos

Common Phrases

Vamos ceiar?

— A standard invitation to have the late meal. Used at the end of the night.

A mesa está pronta. Vamos ceiar?

Já ceiou?

— Asking if someone has already eaten their late meal. Common when greeting someone late.

Bem-vindo! Você já ceiou ou quer algo?

Ceia de Natal

— The most important holiday meal in Portuguese-speaking cultures. It happens on Christmas Eve.

A ceia de Natal estava maravilhosa.

O que tem para ceiar?

— Asking about the menu for the late meal. Very common at home.

Estou com fome. O que tem para ceiar hoje?

Ceiar com os anjos

— A poetic or religious way to describe dying or being in peace. Less common in daily speech.

Ele agora ceia com os anjos.

Menu de ceia

— A specific section of a restaurant or hotel menu for late hours. Common in hospitality.

O menu de ceia do hotel é bem variado.

Ceiar à luz de velas

— To have a romantic late meal by candlelight. Used for atmosphere.

Eles decidiram ceiar à luz de velas no jardim.

Hora de ceiar

— The designated time for the late meal. Often around 11 PM or midnight.

Já é quase meia-noite, é hora de ceiar.

Ceiar e deitar

— A phrase indicating a quick meal followed immediately by sleep. Common in busy lives.

Foi um dia longo, vou apenas ceiar e deitar.

A Última Ceia

— The Last Supper of Jesus. The most famous reference for the word.

A pintura da Última Ceia é famosíssima.

Often Confused With

ceiar vs jantar

Jantar is the main dinner; ceiar is the late supper.

ceiar vs receiar

Receiar means to fear, though it looks similar to ceiar.

ceiar vs seia

Not a word, but sounds like 'ceia' or 'seja'.

Idioms & Expressions

"Ceiar com o diabo"

— To associate with bad people or get involved in dangerous situations. Often used as a warning.

Quem anda com bandidos acaba por ceiar com o diabo.

Informal/Proverbial

"Ficar para a ceia"

— To stay longer than expected, often implying staying until the very end of an event.

A conversa estava tão boa que ele acabou ficando para a ceia.

Neutral

"Comer a ceia antes do jantar"

— To do things out of order or to be impatient. Similar to 'putting the cart before the horse'.

Calma, não queira comer a ceia antes do jantar!

Informal

"Uma ceia de loucos"

— A chaotic or confusing situation, especially one involving many people.

A reunião da empresa foi uma verdadeira ceia de loucos.

Colloquial

"Pagar a ceia"

— To be the one who pays for the group's late-night food. Often a bet or a penalty.

Quem perder o jogo vai ter que pagar a ceia para todos.

Informal

"Ceia de pobre"

— A very simple or meager meal. Can be used self-deprecatingly.

Hoje vai ser ceia de pobre: só pão e água.

Informal

"Não ter ceia"

— To be very poor or to have nothing to eat. A tragic expression.

Infelizmente, muitas famílias ainda não têm ceia.

Neutral

"A ceia está servida"

— A formal way to announce that the meal is ready. Can be used ironically for a small snack.

Aproximem-se, a ceia está servida!

Formal/Neutral

"Ceiar as mágoas"

— To eat late at night because of sadness or emotional distress. Similar to 'eating one's feelings'.

Ela passou a noite ceiando as mágoas com sorvete.

Informal

"Onde se janta não se ceia"

— A proverb suggesting that one shouldn't overstay their welcome or repeat the same actions in one place.

Ele é muito discreto; onde se janta não se ceia.

Proverbial

Easily Confused

ceiar vs cear

It is a spelling variant of the same verb.

Cear is often considered more standard in dictionaries, while ceiar is a common variant influenced by the noun ceia.

Eles vão cear tarde. / Eles vão ceiar tarde.

ceiar vs cheia

Sounds similar in fast speech.

Cheia means 'full' (feminine) or 'flood'. Ceia is 'supper'.

A lua está cheia. / A ceia está na mesa.

ceiar vs seria

Visual similarity.

Seria is the conditional form of 'ser' (to be) or the adjective 'serious' (feminine).

Isso seria ótimo. / Ela é uma pessoa seria.

ceiar vs seara

Similar beginning.

Seara means a field of grain or a harvest.

A seara de trigo é vasta.

ceiar vs cena

Phonetic similarity in some dialects.

Cena means a scene (in a movie or play).

Aquela cena foi emocionante.

Sentence Patterns

Eu vou ceiar [food].

Eu vou ceiar pão.

Ontem eu ceiei [time].

Ontem eu ceiei às onze.

Se eu tiver fome, vou ceiar.

Se eu tiver fome, vou ceiar uma fruta.

É importante ceiar algo que não seja pesado.

É importante ceiar algo que não seja pesado para o estômago.

Raramente ceiamos antes das dez da noite.

Raramente ceiamos antes das dez da noite nesta casa.

Oxalá pudéssemos ceiar sob as estrelas.

Oxalá pudéssemos ceiar sob as estrelas todos os dias.

Nós costumávamos ceiar enquanto conversávamos.

Nós costumávamos ceiar enquanto conversávamos sobre o dia.

Você quer ceiar comigo?

Você quer ceiar comigo hoje à noite?

Word Family

Nouns

ceia (supper)

ceador (one who eats supper)

ceiazinha (little supper)

Verbs

ceiar (to have supper)

cear (variant spelling of ceiar)

receiar (to fear - unrelated meaning but similar look)

Adjectives

ceal (relating to supper - rare)

ceado (having eaten supper)

jantar

almoçar

lanchar

merendar

fome

How to Use It

frequency

Common during holidays; occasional in daily life depending on the household.

Common Mistakes

Using 'ceiar' for dinner at 7 PM. → Use 'jantar' for early evening meals.
Ceiar is strictly for late-night eating, usually after 10 PM. Using it earlier sounds very strange to native speakers.
Spelling it as 'seiar'. → Ceiar or cear.
The word always starts with a 'C'. 'Seiar' is not a word in Portuguese.
Confusing 'ceiar' with 'receiar'. → Ceiar (eat) / Receiar (fear).
They look similar but have totally different meanings. 'Eu receio' means 'I fear', not 'I eat supper'.
Using 'ceiar' for a heavy lunch. → Almoçar.
Ceiar is only for the night. Lunch is always 'almoçar'.
Mixing 'cear' and 'ceiar' conjugations in the same paragraph. → Pick one spelling and stick to it.
While both are correct, consistency is key for good writing in Portuguese.

Tips

Stem-Changing Nuance

In the verb 'cear', an 'i' is often added in the stressed syllables (ceio, ceias, ceia, ceiam). This makes it look exactly like the conjugation of 'ceiar'. This is why the two verbs are so easily confused.

Christmas Timing

If you are in Brazil for Christmas, be prepared to 'ceiar' at midnight. It's a test of endurance! Many families sleep in the afternoon just to stay awake for the grand 'ceia'.

Light vs. Heavy

Unless it's a holiday, keep your 'ceia' light. In Portuguese conversation, 'ceiar' usually suggests a soup or a snack. If you say you 'ceiou' a whole steak, people will be surprised.

The Soft C

Always remember the 'C' in 'ceiar' is soft, like an 'S'. It sounds like 'say-ahr'. Never pronounce it like 'kay-ahr'.

Intransitive Use

You don't need to say WHAT you are eating. 'Eu já ceiei' is a complete and natural sentence to say you've had your late meal.

Spelling Choice

If you are using a spellchecker, it might suggest 'cear'. Don't panic; it's just the more formal variant of 'ceiar'. Both are correct in meaning.

The Invitation

Inviting someone to 'ceiar' after an event is a very polite and warm gesture. it shows you value their company and want to extend the evening.

Latin Link

If you know French (souper) or Spanish (cenar), link 'ceiar' to those. It's the same family of late-day eating.

Restaurant Menus

Look for 'Ceia' on menus in Portugal if you are out late. It's often a fixed-price light meal for night owls.

Ancient Roots

The word comes from a time when the main meal was eaten much later. Knowing this helps you understand why it feels so traditional.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of the 'CE' in CEiar as 'Closing the Evening'. It's the meal you have to close your night.

Visual Association

Imagine a starry night sky (Cé-u in Portuguese) and a small bowl of soup on a table. The 'Cé' in 'céu' and 'ceiar' connects the night to the meal.

Word Web

Noite Sopa Natal Meia-noite Leve Família Tradicional Sono

Challenge

Try to use 'ceiar' in a sentence today when you describe what you will eat right before going to bed.

Word Origin

Derived from the Latin verb 'cenare', which originally meant 'to dine' or 'to have the main meal of the day'. Over time, as meal schedules shifted, the word evolved in Portuguese to refer specifically to the late-night meal.

Original meaning: To dine / To eat the main meal.

Romance (Latin)

Cultural Context

No specific sensitivities, but be aware that for some, 'ceiar' has strong religious undertones related to communion.

English speakers often confuse 'supper' and 'dinner'. In Portuguese, the distinction is strictly time-based and ritualistic.

A Última Ceia (The Last Supper) by Leonardo da Vinci (Portuguese name for the painting). The song 'Noite de Natal' which mentions the family gathering to ceiar. Literary works by Eça de Queirós where late-night suppers are common among the social elite.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Christmas Eve

A que horas vamos ceiar?
A ceia de Natal está pronta.
O que vamos ceiar hoje?
Ceiamos à meia-noite.

Late night after an event

Querem ceiar algo?
Vamos ceiar num restaurante aberto.
Não ceiei nada ainda.
Podemos ceiar em casa.

Home routine

Vou ceiar e dormir.
Gosto de ceiar algo leve.
Você já ceiou?
Tem sopa para ceiar.

Hotels/Hospitality

O serviço de ceia é até às duas.
Posso ceiar no quarto?
Onde posso ceiar a esta hora?
O buffet de ceia está aberto.

Religious/Historical

Eles se reuniram para ceiar.
A Última Ceia foi solene.
Era costume ceiar em silêncio.
Ceiou com seus discípulos.

Conversation Starters

"O que você costuma ceiar quando chega tarde em casa?"

"Você prefere ceiar algo doce ou salgado antes de dormir?"

"Como é a ceia de Natal na sua família?"

"Você conhece algum lugar bom para ceiar depois da meia-noite?"

"Você acha que ceiar muito tarde faz mal para a saúde?"

Journal Prompts

Descreva a melhor ceia de Natal que você já teve e o que você comeu.

Escreva sobre um dia em que você teve que ceiar muito tarde por causa do trabalho ou estudo.

Quais são os pratos tradicionais para se ceiar no seu país de origem?

Você prefere jantar cedo ou ceiar tarde? Explique os motivos da sua preferência.

Crie uma história curta que comece com um grupo de amigos decidindo onde ceiar após um concerto.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Both are accepted, but 'cear' is generally the primary form in modern dictionaries and formal writing. 'Ceiar' is a very common variant used in Brazil and in traditional contexts. If you are writing a formal essay, use 'cear'. If you are speaking or writing casually, 'ceiar' is perfectly fine. Most native speakers use them interchangeably without even noticing.

A 'ceia' is typically served from 10:00 PM onwards. On Christmas Eve, it is traditionally served at midnight. In daily life, if someone says they are going to ceiar, they mean they are eating a late snack before going to bed. It is never used for a meal during daylight hours or the early evening.

Yes, but usually only in festive contexts like Christmas or New Year's. In those cases, the 'ceia' is a massive feast. In a normal daily context, 'ceiar' usually implies something light, like a cup of tea and a sandwich. If you are eating a full three-course meal at 8 PM, you should use the verb 'jantar'.

Yes, it is used in Portugal, although 'cear' is more common in writing there. The concept of the 'ceia' or 'consoada' (Christmas supper) is very strong in Portuguese culture. People in Portugal also use the verb when returning home late from an outing and having a small meal before sleep.

It follows the -ar pattern: Eu ceio, tu ceias, ele ceia, nós ceiamos, vós ceiais, eles ceiam. Note that in the 'eu', 'tu', 'ele', and 'eles' forms, the 'i' is present in the spelling 'ceiar', but even in 'cear', the pronunciation often creates a similar sound (though 'ceio' is standard for both).

No, the verb is 'ceiar' (or 'cear'). The noun is 'a ceia'. For example: 'A ceia estava ótima' (The supper was great) vs. 'Eu vou ceiar' (I am going to have supper). You can also say 'tomar a ceia', which uses the noun.

It is slightly more formal or traditional than just saying 'comer algo', but it is not overly stuffy. It's a precise word. In a very casual setting, people might say 'fazer um lanche' or 'beliscar algo', but 'ceiar' is perfectly appropriate for most social situations.

The difference is the time of day. 'Lanchar' is for the afternoon snack (between lunch and dinner, usually 4-6 PM). 'Ceiar' is for the late-night snack (after dinner, usually 10 PM-midnight). You would never 'lanchar' at 11 PM.

Yes, it specifically refers to eating. However, a 'ceia' can be as simple as a drink and a biscuit. The focus is on the act of consuming something late at night.

Yes, exactly. That is the most famous historical and religious use of the word. Because of this, the word can sometimes carry a sense of importance or solemnity, even when used in a modern context.