Sessão, Seção, or Cessão? Three Portuguese Words Explained
The three words sound alike but name different things: a session, a section, and a transfer or grant.
Real Life Portuguese · 6 min read · Updated October 14, 2026
The short answer
Sessão with ss names a period of activity or an organized event: a movie session, therapy session, meeting, or sitting of a court. It can also refer to a period when a service or activity takes place.
Use sessão for an event, meeting, or period
Think of a session as time spent doing something. The accent on ã marks the stressed syllable, while the double s keeps the spelling distinct from seção and cessão.
A sessão de cinema começa às oito.
The movie screening starts at eight.
Marquei uma sessão com a terapeuta.
I scheduled a session with the therapist.
A sessão foi interrompida para uma pausa.
The meeting was interrupted for a break.
Use seção for a part and cessão for a transfer
Seção with ç means a part, division, or department: a section of a book, the produce section of a store, or a department in an organization. Cessão with c means transferring or granting something, often a right, use, or property.
All three words sound similar in Brazilian Portuguese, so use the meaning to choose the spelling. Section points to a part; cession points to a transfer; session points to an event or period.
A seção de frutas fica perto da entrada.
The fruit section is near the entrance.
Leia a seção sobre pagamentos.
Read the section about payments.
A cessão do espaço será formalizada por contrato.
The transfer of the space will be formalized by contract.
Put it into practice
Sessão is an event or period, seção is a part or department, and cessão is a transfer or grant.
Quick practice
Which Portuguese example matches “The movie screening starts at eight”?
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