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How to Say ‘Madeira is an island.’ in Portuguese

A Madeira é uma ilha.

ah muh-DAY-ruh eh OO-muh EEL-yuh

[ah muh-DAY-ruh eh OO-muh EEL-yuh]

💬 Usage Tip: Use é for what something is, and fica for where it is: A Madeira fica no Atlântico "Madeira is in the Atlantic".

Phrase Breakdown

A Madeira

ah muh-DAY-ruh

Madeira

The island takes the article 'A'. In Portugal 'ei' sounds like 'ay': 'muh-DAY-ruh'.

Example

A Madeira é linda.

Madeira is beautiful.

Words in this phrase

[ah]

the (feminine singular)

Same article "a" used before a feminine noun; often unstressed in speech.

Example

A estação é ali à direita.

The station is right there on the right.

Madeira

[muh-DAY-ruh]

Madeira

A Portuguese island in the Atlantic; also means 'wood'.

Example

A Madeira tem flores bonitas.

Madeira has beautiful flowers.

é uma ilha.

eh OO-muh EEL-yuh

is an island.

'lh' sounds like the 'lli' in 'million': 'EE-lyuh'. Link the words smoothly: 'eh OO-muh EE-lyuh'.

Example

Os Açores têm mais de uma ilha.

The Azores have more than one island.

Words in this phrase

[eh]

Form of the verb 'ser' used to identify or state something.

Example

É meu interesse conhecer melhor a empresa.

It is my interest to get to know the company better.

uma

[OO-muh]

a / one (feminine)

The feminine singular indefinite article, used before feminine nouns like 'mesa'.

Example

Ao chegar, pedimos Uma mesa para dois.

When arriving, we ask for 'A table' for two.

ilha

[EEL-yuh]

island

Land surrounded by water; feminine noun.

Example

A ilha é pequena.

The island is small.

Guides for Portuguese learners

The Portuguese You Actually Need in Your First Month in PortugalThe European Portuguese phrases for your first weeks in Portugal: paperwork, renting a flat, the bank, the health centre, cafés, trains and your new neighbours.

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