Saudade: Meaning, Pronunciation, and How to Use It in European Portuguese

As a Portuguese learner or enthusiast, you have probably heard about the famous Portuguese word Saudade. It is one of the most recognisable Portuguese words, in part because it has no direct translation in most other languages.

Actually, Saudade is a Portuguese word that describes a feeling of longing for someone or something that is currently absent. It carries a deep emotional meaning, combining affection, nostalgia, and the desire to reconnect with a person, place, or experience.

Despite featuring in music, literature, and other types of art, it is also a common everyday term. In Portugal, you will hear European Portuguese speakers use it often. So, if you are learning Portuguese, this is a word you must know.

But what does it really mean? How do you pronounce it? How should you use it? Below, discover all about the meaning, pronunciation, and cultural background of Saudade – one of the most beautiful Portuguese expressions.

What Does Saudade Mean in Portuguese?

The first two entries in the Portuguese dictionary for Saudade are:

1. A fond remembrance of an absent person, a past moment, or something of which one is deprived.
2. The sorrow or heartache caused by such a deprivation.

As you can imagine, it is usually a very emotional word. It carries a mixture of longing, affection, absence, nostalgia, and memory. Usually, it has a bittersweet undertone since it describes something you feel fondly about, but that is currently missing from your life. So it can be both sweet and sad.

You can use the term itself in different circumstances. In fact, you can feel saudade for a person, a place, a thing, a season, or even a moment or period of your life.

Is There an English Word for Saudade?

There is no direct translation of the word Saudade from the Portuguese language into English. However, English has several terms and concepts that might convey a similar feeling. For example, you can find the following definitions in the Cambridge Dictionary:

• longing: a feeling of wanting something or someone very much.
• yearning: a strong feeling of wishing for something, especially something that you cannot have or get easily.
• nostalgia: a feeling of pleasure and also slight sadness when you think about things that happened in the past.
• homesickness: the feeling of being unhappy because of being away from home for a long period.
• missing someone: (of a person or possession) not found where you expect to find someone or something; lost or absent.

None of these terms is a perfect equivalent. Nonetheless, you can explain the feeling by combining several of these expressions. But the meaning of Saudade also changes a bit with the context. After all, missing a friend or family member is different from missing your favorite childhood dish. So you need to match the right English terms to what Portuguese speakers mean by this single word.

How to Pronounce Saudade in European Portuguese

Click the symbol in front of the word Saudade. Listen to the word a few times and try to imitate its pronunciation. You can find a more extensive explanation of the word and its pronunciation in Infopédia.

The word can be divided into three syllables. It has a diphthong in the first one, Sau-, and the last vowel, -e, is unstressed. The stressed syllable, in this case, is the middle one.

How to Use Saudade in European Portuguese

Saudade in European Portuguese is a singular feminine noun. It usually comes after the definite article a. Since it is a feeling you experience toward something or someone, the most common construction you will hear in Portuguese is: Ter saudades de…

You start by conjugating the verb Ter (To have) in the first-person singular. If you are an English speaker, it might not make much sense, but since Saudades is a feeling, it is something you have. After the De (of), you name the person, name, place, or moment you miss.

But in Portugal, you will also hear the plural Saudades. Take a look at the differences between both terms.

Saudade vs Saudades: What’s the Difference in the Portuguese Language?

Simply put, Saudade is singular, and Saudades is plural. The meaning of the words doesn’t change, but their use does. You choose the most appropriate form according to the context.

Use the singular when speaking about the feeling itself, and the thing or person you miss. And use the plural in the same situations, but also as a goodbye, whether spoken or through text. For example, you can sign off a text message saying Saudades! In this context, it corresponds to how you would use Cheers! or Hope to see you soon! with the idea that you miss the receiver of your message.

Learn Portuguese: How to Say “I Miss You” in European Portuguese

As mentioned above, one of the most common constructions in European portuguese is Ter saudades de… To say “I miss you” in Portuguese, you conjugate the verb Ter in the first person singular. Then, after Saudades de, add the thing, person, or place you are missing to conclude the sentence.

You can also simply say Tenho saudades to tell someone you miss them. Here are five examples with their English translation.

Portuguese Sentence	English Translation
Tenho saudades.	I miss you.
Tenho saudades tuas.	I miss you. (singular)
Tenho saudades vossas.	I miss you. (plural)
Tenho saudades da minha família.	I miss my family.
Tenho saudades de casa.	I’m homesick.

Some people also use the phrase Tenho saudades de ti. However, this is an uncommon construction that you will not hear as often as those mentioned in the table above.

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5 Common Expressions with Saudade: Increase Your Portuguese Vocabulary

Besides Ter saudades de… there are other ways you can use this beautiful word with your Portuguese friends. Here are five examples.

Portuguese expression	English meaning
Que saudades!	I miss it/you so much!
Matar saudades	To catch up/reconnect after missing someone or something
Morrer de saudades	To miss someone terribly
Deixar saudades	To be missed/leave fond memories
Ter saudades de casa	To feel homesick

Step Ahead: 10 Examples of Saudade in Everyday Portuguese

To make it practical, consider common situations in which you might apply this new word and include it in your Portuguese vocabulary. In the following table, you will find the situation, followed by a Portuguese sentence you might say, and its English translation.

Situation	Portuguese Sentence Using Saudade	English Translation
You have moved to Portugal and miss your family.	Tenho muitas saudades da minha família.	I really miss my family.
You are returning home after spending a summer in Portugal.	Vou matar saudades de casa e da minha família.	I’ll make up for missing home and my family.
You are missing childhood memories.	Tenho saudades dos verões que passava na casa dos meus avós.	I miss the summers I used to spend at my grandparents’ house.
You are missing a loved one who passed away.	Tenho tantas saudades da minha avó. Gostava tanto que ela ainda cá estivesse.	I miss my grandmother so much. I wish she were still here.
You are describing a place where you used to live.	Tenho muitas saudades da casa onde cresci.	I really miss the house where I grew up.
You meet a friend you have not seen in a while.	Que saudades tuas! Temos mesmo de combinar qualquer coisa.	I’ve missed you! We really must arrange to do something together.
You are talking about an activity you love but that you have not done in a while.	Tenho saudades de ir à praia e passar o dia inteiro ao sol.	I miss going to the beach and spending the whole day in the sun.
You are expressing affection through a text message.	Tenho saudades tuas. Mal posso esperar para te ver!	I miss you. I can’t wait to see you!
You are missing eating your favorite dish.	Estou a morrer de saudades de comer o arroz de pato da minha mãe!	I miss eating my mum’s arroz de pato so much!
You are missing your time in Portugal.	Aquele verão em Portugal deixou muitas saudades. Mal posso esperar por voltar!	That summer in Portugal left me with so many fond memories. I can’t wait to go back!

The History and Cultural Significance of Saudade

Dig deeper into the history of this iconic Portuguese word. Learn about its origins, cultural significance, and discover other languages that use it.

Where Does the Word Saudade Come From?

As with many common words, there are different theories about the origin of the term Saudade. It most likely came from Latin roots, from the expression Solitate, which you could translate as “Loneliness” or “Solitude.” This word developed into Soidade, which is curiously still used in Galician. Over time, it became Saudade.

You can find a more detailed explanation about it in Ciberdúvidas.

Why Is Saudade So Important in Portuguese Culture?

Today, the concept of Saudade is an integral part of all Portuguese-speaking cultures and countries. For example, the word Saudade is used in both Portuguese and Galician. It has also influenced the Cape Verdean Creole word Sodadi.

Another example is the term Morriña in Galician, which describes a similar feeling. Although it implies a stronger longing than Saudade, Morriña refers specifically to missing your home or your family. Conversely, if you visit Goa, a former Portuguese colony, you will find a street called Rua das Saudades.

Saudade in Portuguese Literature and Fado

The importance of Saudade for Portuguese culture also reflects in art, music, and literature. Fado, the iconic Portuguese music style, often conveys longing and absence in both its melodies and lyrics. Amália Rodrigues, a legendary Portuguese Fado singer, used to explore many themes related to Saudade.

Academic exploration found its presence in medieval poetry. It is constantly mentioned in well-preserved works and recognized figures from the 19th and 20th centuries, like Fernando Pessoa explored themes of saudade in existential contexts.

Is Saudade Different in European and Brazilian Portuguese?

Despite the differences between these two variants of Portuguese, Saudade has the same meaning. It conveys the same feeling of longing for someone or something. What changes is the structure of the sentences in which it is included.

Since grammatical constructions and pronouns often differ from European to Brazilian Portuguese, you will often find differences in the actual phrases. Consider two examples:

European Portuguese Sentence	Brazilian Portuguese Sentence	English Translation
Tenho saudades tuas.	Estou com saudade de você.	I miss you
Estou a morrer de saudades da minha família.	Estou morrendo de saudade de minha família.	I miss my family terribly

Keep in mind that both varieties have internal variation. So, these are typical patterns, not exclusive rules.

Frequently Asked Questions About Saudade

What does saudade mean?

Saudade describes the feeling of missing someone or something that is absent from your life. It combines longing, affection, nostalgia, and the desire to reconnect.

What is the closest English translation of Saudade?

There is no exact English equivalent. Depending on the context, it can mean longing, yearning, nostalgia, homesickness, or simply missing someone or something.

Is Saudade a uniquely Portuguese word?

The word is strongly associated with Portuguese culture, but the feeling is universal. Other languages have similar expressions, such as morriña in Galician and sodadi in Cape Verdean Creole.

Can you feel Saudade for a place?

Absolutely! You can feel saudade for a country, a city, your childhood home, or somewhere you once visited. For example, Tenho saudades de Portugal means “I miss Portugal.”

Is Saudade always a sad feeling?

Not necessarily. Although it often carries some sadness, Saudade can also be pleasant. It combines the happiness of remembering something special with the longing to experience it again.

Do Portuguese people say Saudade or Saudades?

We say both. Saudade is singular, while saudades is plural. Both express the same feeling, but Saudades is particularly common in everyday expressions such as Tenho saudades tuas and Que saudades!

How do you say “I miss you” in Portuguese?

In European Portuguese, the most common expression is Tenho saudades tuas. You can also say Tenho saudades de ti or simply Tenho saudades! when the context is clear.

Saudade vs Nostalgia: what’s the difference?

Nostalgia usually describes a sentimental feeling about the past. Saudade can refer to missing something from the past or someone or somewhere that is simply far away. It often combines affection, longing, and the desire to reconnect.

Learning to Express Saudade in Portuguese

Saudade is the Portuguese way to express that you miss something, someone, or somewhere. This Portuguese word carries a deep emotional weight. And now, you can use it too!

Try practising creating sentences about people, places, and experiences you miss. Learning the Portuguese language is all about the culture. So remember to test the word in different contexts and to apply it in everyday conversations. You will soon see how naturally you will start using it.

This immersive approach is the same we apply in our European Portuguese course, The Journey. For example, Thomas, one of our students, said:

I’ve been trying to learn Portuguese for about two years now, but I’ve never felt as motivated as I do these days since I found this site and signed up for it. It all seems to be a great balance of a science-based approach presented with a lot of personal charm. I admire the principled avoidance of “baby Portuguese” in favor of something closer to reality.

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