tabuleiro
tabuleiro in 30 Seconds
- A versatile noun meaning tray, baking sheet, or game board.
- Masculine gender: 'o tabuleiro'.
- Essential for kitchen (baking) and leisure (board games) contexts.
- Used metaphorically to describe strategic situations like politics.
The Portuguese word tabuleiro is a versatile noun that English speakers primarily translate as 'tray' or 'board,' depending on the context. At its core, it refers to any flat, rigid surface designed for a specific purpose—be it carrying items, baking food, or playing a game. In a domestic setting, you will encounter the tabuleiro in the kitchen, where it serves as a baking sheet for cookies or a large tray for transporting breakfast to bed. However, the word transitions seamlessly from the kitchen to the living room when referring to board games like chess or checkers. Understanding the nuances of this word requires looking at the physical characteristics: it is typically rectangular or square, has a flat base, and often features a slightly raised rim to prevent items from sliding off.
- Kitchen Context
- In the culinary world, a tabuleiro is essential for baking. It refers to the metal sheet you slide into the oven. Example: 'Coloque o tabuleiro no forno' (Put the tray in the oven).
Preciso de um tabuleiro maior para assar este peru de Natal.
- Gaming Context
- When playing games, the tabuleiro is the board itself. 'Tabuleiro de xadrez' is a chessboard, while 'tabuleiro de damas' is a checkers board.
As peças já estão postas no tabuleiro político para as próximas eleições.
- Religious/Cultural Context
- In Portugal, specifically in Tomar, the 'Festa dos Tabuleiros' features women carrying elaborate structures (tabuleiros) on their heads, showing the word's deep cultural roots.
Ela equilibrou o tabuleiro com cuidado enquanto subia as escadas.
Using tabuleiro correctly involves identifying whether you are talking about food preparation, game mechanics, or organizational structures. In everyday Portuguese, the most common usage is related to baking. You will often hear the phrase 'untar o tabuleiro' (to grease the tray). This is a vital instruction in any Portuguese recipe for bolo (cake) or bolachas (cookies). When you transition to the world of board games, the structure remains consistent: 'tabuleiro de [game name]'. For example, if you are inviting someone to play Monopoly, you would refer to the tabuleiro do Monopólio. The word is masculine, so it always takes masculine articles and adjectives, such as 'o tabuleiro' or 'um tabuleiro limpo'.
Retire o tabuleiro do forno com uma luva térmica.
- Action Verbs
- Common verbs used with tabuleiro include: limpar (to clean), preparar (to prepare), mover (to move), and organizar (to organize).
Vamos montar o tabuleiro de xadrez antes do jantar.
O tabuleiro da baiana estava cheio de iguarias deliciosas.
- Prepositional Phrases
- Use 'no' (em + o) for location: 'Está no tabuleiro'. Use 'de' for composition: 'Tabuleiro de madeira'.
You will hear tabuleiro in a variety of settings, ranging from the domestic to the professional. In a Portuguese home, it is a staple of Sunday lunches. You might hear someone say, 'Traga o tabuleiro da carne,' referring to the large dish or tray holding the roasted meat. In schools and community centers, during a 'noite de jogos' (game night), the word will be repeated constantly as people set up boards for Ludo, Chess, or Drafts. Professionally, in the hospitality industry, waiters might use it to describe large trays for transporting multiple plates, though 'bandeja' is often preferred for light service. In the news, political commentators frequently use the term 'tabuleiro geopolítico' to discuss international relations, likening world leaders to players moving pieces on a map.
O tabuleiro de jogo estava tão gasto que mal se viam as casas.
- In the Bakery (Padaria)
- Bakers use large industrial tabuleiros to bake dozens of pastéis de nata at once. You might hear: 'O próximo tabuleiro de natas sai em cinco minutos!'
Ele colocou todas as suas esperanças naquele tabuleiro de negócios.
The most common mistake for English speakers is confusing tabuleiro with bandeja. While both can translate to 'tray,' they are not always interchangeable. A bandeja is typically what a waiter uses to bring you a cup of coffee or a drink—it is lighter and often circular. A tabuleiro is usually more substantial, rectangular, and used for heavier tasks like baking or carrying a full meal. Another mistake is using the word 'mesa' (table) when referring to a game board. In English, we might say 'game board,' but in Portuguese, you must use tabuleiro. Saying 'mesa de xadrez' refers to the physical table the game sits on, not the board itself. Additionally, pay attention to gender; beginners often mistakenly say 'a tabuleiro' because it ends in 'o', which is a classic error for masculine nouns.
- Bandeja vs. Tabuleiro
- Bandeja = Serving tray (light, drinks). Tabuleiro = Baking tray or game board (heavy, functional).
Não diga 'a tabuleiro'; o correto é sempre 'o tabuleiro'.
Depending on what you are doing, you might want to use a more specific word than tabuleiro. If you are serving tea, bandeja is the most natural choice. If you are talking about a flat surface used in construction or masonry, you might use tábua (board/plank). For those interested in technical or artistic contexts, painel (panel) could be an alternative when referring to a flat display area. In the context of a ship, the deck is called convés, though it is also a flat surface. When discussing organizational charts or boards of directors, the word is conselho or diretoria, never tabuleiro.
- Bandeja
- Used for serving food and drinks in social settings. 'A bandeja de prata' (The silver tray).
- Assadeira
- Specifically a baking pan or roasting tin. All assadeiras are tabuleiros, but not all tabuleiros are assadeiras (like a chessboard).
- Prancha
- A 'plank' or 'board' often used in sports (surfboard) or technical drawings.
How Formal Is It?
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Fun Fact
The 'Festa dos Tabuleiros' in Tomar, Portugal, is one of the oldest and most spectacular festivals in the country, where women carry trays of bread and flowers that can weigh up to 15kg!
Pronunciation Guide
- Pronouncing the 'ei' as a single 'e' sound.
- Stressing the wrong syllable (e.g., ta-BU-lei-ro).
- Confusing the 'u' sound with an 'o'.
- Making the 'r' too strong like an English 'r'.
- Treating it as a feminine noun.
Difficulty Rating
Easy to recognize in context.
Requires remembering the 'ei' spelling.
Correct stress on 'lei' is important.
Distinctive sound makes it easy to hear.
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Masculine nouns ending in 'o'
O tabuleiro, o livro, o carro.
Contraction of 'em' + 'o'
No tabuleiro (in/on the tray).
Adjective agreement
Tabuleiro limpo (Clean tray).
Pluralization of nouns ending in 'o'
Tabuleiro -> Tabuleiros.
Compound nouns with 'de'
Tabuleiro de xadrez.
Examples by Level
O tabuleiro está na cozinha.
The tray is in the kitchen.
Simple subject-verb-location structure.
Eu tenho um tabuleiro pequeno.
I have a small tray.
Adjective agreement (masculine singular).
Onde está o tabuleiro do bolo?
Where is the cake tray?
Possessive 'do' (de + o).
O tabuleiro é de metal.
The tray is made of metal.
Using 'de' to indicate material.
Lave o tabuleiro, por favor.
Wash the tray, please.
Imperative mood (request).
O tabuleiro está quente.
The tray is hot.
State of being with 'estar'.
Preciso de um tabuleiro.
I need a tray.
Verb 'precisar' followed by 'de'.
O tabuleiro caiu no chão.
The tray fell on the floor.
Past tense 'caiu'.
Vamos jogar no tabuleiro de xadrez.
Let's play on the chessboard.
Compound noun 'tabuleiro de xadrez'.
Coloque os biscoitos no tabuleiro.
Put the cookies on the tray.
Preposition 'no' (em + o).
O tabuleiro de damas é preto e branco.
The checkers board is black and white.
Descriptive adjectives.
Ela comprou um tabuleiro novo para o forno.
She bought a new tray for the oven.
Purpose indicated by 'para'.
O tabuleiro está cheio de pães.
The tray is full of breads.
'Cheio de' expression.
Não toque no tabuleiro, está muito quente!
Don't touch the tray, it's very hot!
Negative imperative.
O tabuleiro é retangular.
The tray is rectangular.
Geometrical description.
Quantos tabuleiros você tem?
How many trays do you have?
Plural form 'tabuleiros'.
Unte o tabuleiro com manteiga antes de colocar a massa.
Grease the tray with butter before putting in the batter.
Cooking instruction vocabulary.
O tabuleiro de queijos estava delicioso.
The cheese board was delicious.
Metonymy (board used for the food on it).
Eles organizaram os jogos de tabuleiro no armário.
They organized the board games in the closet.
Collective 'jogos de tabuleiro'.
O tabuleiro de servir é feito de madeira de carvalho.
The serving tray is made of oak wood.
Specific material description.
Faltam algumas peças no tabuleiro de xadrez.
Some pieces are missing from the chessboard.
Verb 'faltar' (to be missing).
Ela equilibrou o tabuleiro com as duas mãos.
She balanced the tray with both hands.
Action verb 'equilibrar'.
O tabuleiro do forno precisa de uma limpeza profunda.
The oven tray needs a deep clean.
Noun-noun relationship with 'do'.
Este tabuleiro é ideal para assar legumes.
This tray is ideal for roasting vegetables.
Adjective 'ideal'.
O tabuleiro político mudou após as declarações do ministro.
The political board changed after the minister's statements.
Metaphorical usage.
Precisamos analisar o tabuleiro antes de fazer o próximo investimento.
We need to analyze the board before making the next investment.
Strategy context.
A Festa dos Tabuleiros é uma tradição única de Tomar.
The Festival of Trays is a unique tradition of Tomar.
Proper noun/Cultural reference.
Ela moveu as peças no tabuleiro com grande habilidade.
She moved the pieces on the board with great skill.
Idiomatic expression of strategy.
O tabuleiro da baiana é um símbolo da cultura de Salvador.
The Bahian woman's tray is a symbol of Salvador's culture.
Regional cultural context.
O jogo foi decidido nos últimos segundos no tabuleiro.
The game was decided in the last seconds on the board.
Temporal context.
O tabuleiro de instrumentos estava pronto para a cirurgia.
The instrument tray was ready for the surgery.
Medical context.
Cada movimento no tabuleiro geopolítico tem consequências globais.
Every move on the geopolitical board has global consequences.
Abstract academic usage.
A complexidade do tabuleiro social exige uma abordagem multidisciplinar.
The complexity of the social board requires a multidisciplinary approach.
High-level sociological metaphor.
O autor utiliza o tabuleiro como uma alegoria para a vida humana.
The author uses the board as an allegory for human life.
Literary analysis.
As peças estão dispostas de forma assimétrica no tabuleiro.
The pieces are arranged asymmetrically on the board.
Advanced descriptive vocabulary.
Houve uma reconfiguração total do tabuleiro de poder na região.
There was a total reconfiguration of the power board in the region.
Political science terminology.
O tabuleiro de ensaio permitiu aos engenheiros testar o novo circuito.
The breadboard allowed the engineers to test the new circuit.
Technical/Engineering term (tabuleiro de ensaio).
A destreza com que ela equilibrava o tabuleiro era quase hipnotizante.
The dexterity with which she balanced the tray was almost mesmerizing.
Sophisticated narrative style.
O tabuleiro de xadrez de luxo foi esculpido em marfim e ébano.
The luxury chessboard was carved in ivory and ebony.
Passive voice and luxury materials.
Ele percebeu que era apenas um peão naquele vasto tabuleiro de interesses.
He realized he was just a pawn on that vast board of interests.
Existential metaphor.
A tessitura do tabuleiro narrativo revela camadas de simbolismo profundo.
The texture of the narrative board reveals layers of deep symbolism.
Highly abstract literary metaphor.
Subjacente a cada decisão, reside a lógica implacável do tabuleiro.
Underlying every decision lies the relentless logic of the board.
Philosophical phrasing.
O tabuleiro, outrora vibrante, jazia agora coberto pelo pó do esquecimento.
The board, once vibrant, now lay covered by the dust of oblivion.
Archaic/Poetic tone.
A análise heurística do tabuleiro sugere uma vitória iminente.
The heuristic analysis of the board suggests an imminent victory.
Scientific/Technical register.
O tabuleiro de damas serviu como microcosmo para o conflito geracional.
The checkers board served as a microcosm for the generational conflict.
Sociological metaphor.
A disposição das peças no tabuleiro obedece a uma geometria sagrada.
The arrangement of the pieces on the board obeys a sacred geometry.
Esoteric/Academic context.
O tabuleiro de pontes ligava as várias ilhas do arquipélago.
The deck of bridges connected the various islands of the archipelago.
Civil engineering usage (tabuleiro de ponte).
Inerente ao tabuleiro está a promessa de um novo começo a cada partida.
Inherent to the board is the promise of a new beginning with each match.
Reflective/Philosophical statement.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
— To make strategic moves in a situation.
Ele está mexendo as peças no tabuleiro para ganhar a promoção.
— To clear everything away or start fresh.
Depois da discussão, eles decidiram limpar o tabuleiro e recomeçar.
— To be honest and lay out all the facts (similar to cards on the table).
É hora de pôr as cartas no tabuleiro.
— To be part of the game or the current situation.
Muitos candidatos já estão no tabuleiro eleitoral.
— A selection or variety of offers.
A loja tem um grande tabuleiro de ofertas hoje.
— To quit or be removed from a situation.
O jogador saiu do tabuleiro após a polêmica.
— To remain in contention.
Apenas três empresas ficaram no tabuleiro de licitação.
— To completely change the situation, often in one's favor.
Com o novo produto, a empresa virou o tabuleiro.
— A tray of tools, usually medical or technical.
O enfermeiro preparou o tabuleiro de instrumentos.
— To fail or be dropped from a plan.
O projeto caiu do tabuleiro por falta de verba.
Often Confused With
Bandeja is for serving drinks/snacks; tabuleiro is for baking or games.
Tábua is a wooden plank or cutting board; tabuleiro is a tray or game board.
Mesa is the table; tabuleiro is the board on top of the table.
Idioms & Expressions
— To change the context or rules of an interaction.
A nova lei mudou o tabuleiro para os empresários.
Business/Political— Literally board game, but often used to describe life's ups and downs.
A vida é como um jogo de tabuleiro.
Philosophical— Used to describe a very strategic and intellectual conflict.
A negociação foi um verdadeiro tabuleiro de xadrez.
Formal— In the grand scheme of things/life.
Somos todos peças no tabuleiro da vida.
Literary— Someone who is no longer relevant or involved.
Ele agora é uma peça fora do tabuleiro.
Informal— To have complete control over a situation.
A multinacional domina o tabuleiro do mercado.
Formal— A sandbox (often metaphorical for testing).
Usamos o projeto como um tabuleiro de areia.
Technical— To set things up or prepare for an event.
Vamos arrumar o tabuleiro antes que os convidados cheguem.
Neutral— The range of possibilities in a risky situation.
O tabuleiro de apostas está aberto.
Informal— To disrupt a system or situation completely.
A greve quebrou o tabuleiro da produção.
InformalEasily Confused
Both mean 'tray' in English.
Bandeja is lighter and used for serving; Tabuleiro is heavier and used for baking or games.
Ele trouxe o café na bandeja, mas o bolo está no tabuleiro.
Both used in the oven.
Assadeira is specifically for roasting/baking; Tabuleiro is more general.
Toda assadeira é um tabuleiro, mas nem todo tabuleiro é uma assadeira.
Both are flat surfaces.
Tábua is usually just a piece of wood (plank/cutting board).
Corte os legumes na tábua e coloque-os no tabuleiro.
Both can be flat boards.
Painel is for display or control (panel).
O painel mostra os dados, o tabuleiro mostra o jogo.
Both mean 'board'.
Prancha is for sports (surfing) or large flat sheets.
Ele pegou a prancha de surf e o tabuleiro de xadrez.
Sentence Patterns
O tabuleiro está [adjective].
O tabuleiro está sujo.
Eu coloco o [noun] no tabuleiro.
Eu coloco o pão no tabuleiro.
Preciso de um tabuleiro de [material/game].
Preciso de um tabuleiro de madeira.
Não se esqueça de [verb] o tabuleiro.
Não se esqueça de limpar o tabuleiro.
O tabuleiro de [abstract noun] mudou.
O tabuleiro de poder mudou.
As peças estão no tabuleiro de [game].
As peças estão no tabuleiro de damas.
A análise do tabuleiro revela que [clause].
A análise do tabuleiro revela que a situação é grave.
Inerente à estrutura do tabuleiro, [clause].
Inerente à estrutura do tabuleiro, reside a ordem.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
High (especially in domestic and gaming contexts)
-
A tabuleiro
→
O tabuleiro
The word is masculine, so it requires the masculine article 'o'.
-
Mesa de xadrez (for the board)
→
Tabuleiro de xadrez
'Mesa' refers to the table, 'tabuleiro' refers to the game board.
-
Bandeja (for baking)
→
Tabuleiro
You don't bake on a 'bandeja'; you use a 'tabuleiro'.
-
Tabolero
→
Tabuleiro
Incorrect spelling and pronunciation; ensure the 'u' and 'ei' are present.
-
Using 'tabuleiro' for a shelf
→
Prateleira
A shelf is a 'prateleira', even though it is flat like a 'tabuleiro'.
Tips
Table-Ludo
Think of a TABLE where you play LUDO. TAB-U-LEIRO. It helps you remember the first three syllables easily.
Kitchen Tip
When reading recipes, 'tabuleiro' almost always means your metal baking sheet. Make sure you have the right size!
Gender Check
It ends in 'o', so it's masculine. This is a reliable rule for this word. 'O tabuleiro' is the only way.
Tomar Festival
Search for 'Festa dos Tabuleiros' on YouTube to see the word in a stunning cultural context. It will make the word unforgettable.
Game Night
Next time you play a board game, call it a 'jogo de tabuleiro'. Using it in context is the best way to learn.
Specifics
If you are specifically talking about roasting meat, you can use 'assadeira', but 'tabuleiro' is never wrong.
The 'EI' Sound
The 'ei' in 'tabuleiro' is a diphthong. It sounds like the 'ay' in 'day'. Don't just say 'e'.
Not a Table
Don't call a chessboard a 'mesa de xadrez' unless you mean the actual furniture. The board itself is the 'tabuleiro'.
Spelling
Note the 'u' after the 'b'. Some learners try to say 'tabolero'—avoid this! It's 'ta-bu-lei-ro'.
Context Clues
If you hear 'tabuleiro' and 'peças', it's about a game. If you hear 'tabuleiro' and 'forno', it's about cooking.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of a 'TABLE' where you play 'LUDO'—that's a TAB-U-LEIRO.
Visual Association
Visualize a rectangular baking tray coming out of a hot oven with the word 'TABULEIRO' written in flour on it.
Word Web
Challenge
Write three sentences using 'tabuleiro': one about food, one about a game, and one about a person's strategy.
Word Origin
From the Latin 'tabularium', which refers to a place for keeping archives or a collection of tablets ('tabula').
Original meaning: A flat board or tablet used for writing or records.
Romance (Latin root).Cultural Context
When discussing 'tabuleiros de acarajé', be respectful of the religious significance (Candomblé) associated with the food.
In English, we split the word into 'tray' and 'board'. Portuguese keeps them together under one concept of a flat surface.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Cooking
- Unte o tabuleiro
- Tabuleiro antiaderente
- Leve ao forno no tabuleiro
- Limpar o tabuleiro
Board Games
- Montar o tabuleiro
- Peças no tabuleiro
- Tabuleiro de xadrez
- Olhar para o tabuleiro
Politics
- Tabuleiro eleitoral
- Mover as peças
- Reconfigurar o tabuleiro
- Análise do tabuleiro
Hospitality
- Tabuleiro de pequeno-almoço
- Carregar o tabuleiro
- Tabuleiro de madeira
- Organizar o tabuleiro
Engineering
- Tabuleiro da ponte
- Vigass do tabuleiro
- Pavimentar o tabuleiro
- Estrutura do tabuleiro
Conversation Starters
"Você prefere jogos de tabuleiro ou jogos de vídeo?"
"Qual é o seu jogo de tabuleiro favorito?"
"Você já viu a Festa dos Tabuleiros em Tomar?"
"Você usa um tabuleiro de metal ou de vidro para assar bolos?"
"Como você organiza o seu tabuleiro de queijos?"
Journal Prompts
Descreva um momento em que você jogou um jogo de tabuleiro com amigos.
Escreva sobre uma receita que exige o uso de um tabuleiro grande.
Pense em uma situação na sua vida que parece um jogo de tabuleiro estratégico.
Como seria o seu 'tabuleiro de queijos' ideal para uma festa?
Reflita sobre a importância das tradições como a Festa dos Tabuleiros.
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsIt is masculine: 'o tabuleiro'. You should always use masculine articles and adjectives with it, like 'um tabuleiro grande' or 'o meu tabuleiro'.
Yes, especially if it's a large, heavy tray. However, for a small tray used for coffee or tea, 'bandeja' is more common and natural.
It is a chessboard. Portuguese uses the word 'tabuleiro' for almost all board games (jogos de tabuleiro).
You can say 'tabuleiro do forno' or simply 'tabuleiro' if the context is clear. 'Assadeira' is also a common synonym for this.
Yes, the plural is 'tabuleiros'. For example: 'Eu comprei dois tabuleiros novos'.
It's an idiom meaning to make strategic moves, usually in business, politics, or life, similar to playing a game of chess.
Yes, in civil engineering, the 'tabuleiro' is the deck or the flat surface of the bridge that vehicles drive on.
It is a famous traditional festival in Tomar, Portugal, where women carry large, decorated trays of bread on their heads.
Yes, it is used throughout the Lusophone world. In Brazil, it is particularly associated with the trays of street food vendors in Bahia.
'Tábua' is a simple board or plank (like a cutting board), while 'tabuleiro' usually has a specific function and often a rim or edge.
Test Yourself 180 questions
Write a sentence using 'tabuleiro' and 'bolo'.
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Translate: 'The chessboard is on the table.'
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Describe what a 'tabuleiro' is in your own words (in Portuguese).
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Write a metaphorical sentence about politics using 'tabuleiro'.
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Translate: 'Grease the tray with butter.'
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Write a sentence about the 'Festa dos Tabuleiros'.
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Translate: 'I need two new baking trays.'
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Write a sentence about a 'tabuleiro de queijos'.
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Translate: 'The chess pieces are on the board.'
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Use 'tabuleiro' in a sentence about a bridge.
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Translate: 'She balanced the tray on her head.'
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Write a sentence about cleaning a tray.
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Translate: 'Board games are popular here.'
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Describe a 'tabuleiro de damas'.
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Translate: 'The metal tray is in the oven.'
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Write a sentence about a 'tabuleiro' in a hospital.
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Translate: 'The strategic board has many pieces.'
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Use 'tabuleiro' in a sentence about a bakery.
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Translate: 'Is the tray clean?'
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Write a sentence using 'tabuleiros' in the plural.
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Pronounce the word 'tabuleiro' correctly.
Read this aloud:
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Say: 'O tabuleiro de xadrez'.
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Say: 'Unte o tabuleiro'.
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Say: 'Jogos de tabuleiro são divertidos'.
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Say: 'O tabuleiro está quente'.
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Explain the difference between 'tabuleiro' and 'bandeja' in Portuguese.
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Say: 'As peças estão no tabuleiro'.
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Say: 'Tabuleiro de queijos e vinhos'.
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Say: 'O tabuleiro político mudou'.
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Say: 'Preciso de um tabuleiro novo'.
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Ask: 'Onde está o tabuleiro?'
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Say: 'Lave o tabuleiro, por favor'.
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Say: 'O tabuleiro é de madeira'.
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Say: 'Vamos jogar no tabuleiro de damas'.
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Say: 'O tabuleiro do forno é grande'.
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Say: 'Equilibrar o tabuleiro é difícil'.
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Say: 'O tabuleiro da ponte é seguro'.
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Say: 'Limpe o tabuleiro com cuidado'.
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Say: 'O tabuleiro de instrumentos está pronto'.
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Say: 'Mexer no tabuleiro de poder'.
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Listen and identify: 'O tabuleiro de xadrez'.
Listen and identify: 'Unte o tabuleiro'.
Listen and identify: 'Tabuleiro de queijos'.
Listen and identify: 'O tabuleiro está sujo'.
Listen and identify: 'Mexer as peças no tabuleiro'.
Listen and identify: 'Tabuleiro de madeira'.
Listen and identify: 'O tabuleiro do forno'.
Listen and identify: 'Jogos de tabuleiro'.
Listen and identify: 'Festa dos Tabuleiros'.
Listen and identify: 'Tabuleiro de metal'.
Listen and identify: 'O tabuleiro da ponte'.
Listen and identify: 'Limpar o tabuleiro'.
Listen and identify: 'Tabuleiro de damas'.
Listen and identify: 'O tabuleiro político'.
Listen and identify: 'Peças de xadrez no tabuleiro'.
/ 180 correct
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Summary
The word 'tabuleiro' is your go-to term for any flat, functional surface, whether you are baking a cake (tabuleiro do forno) or playing chess (tabuleiro de xadrez).
- A versatile noun meaning tray, baking sheet, or game board.
- Masculine gender: 'o tabuleiro'.
- Essential for kitchen (baking) and leisure (board games) contexts.
- Used metaphorically to describe strategic situations like politics.
Table-Ludo
Think of a TABLE where you play LUDO. TAB-U-LEIRO. It helps you remember the first three syllables easily.
Kitchen Tip
When reading recipes, 'tabuleiro' almost always means your metal baking sheet. Make sure you have the right size!
Gender Check
It ends in 'o', so it's masculine. This is a reliable rule for this word. 'O tabuleiro' is the only way.
Tomar Festival
Search for 'Festa dos Tabuleiros' on YouTube to see the word in a stunning cultural context. It will make the word unforgettable.
Example
Trouxe o café da manhã no tabuleiro.
Related Content
More food words
a conta
A1The bill or check (in a restaurant).
a gosto
A2To taste, according to one's preference for flavor.
à la carte
A2À la carte, ordering individual dishes from a menu.
à mão
A2By hand (e.g., prepare by hand), done manually.
à mesa
A2At the table, referring to dining.
à parte
A2Aside; separately, served separately.
à pressa
A2In a hurry, with great haste.
à saúde
A2A toast, meaning 'to health' or 'cheers'.
a vapor
A2Steamed; cooked by steam.
à vontade
A2At ease/As much as you want; freely, comfortably.