figure, number, cipher, code
1. A numerical digit or symbol used to represent a number
The cipher consists of three digits.
A cifra é composta por três dígitos.
2. A secret code or system of encoding messages
They used a cipher to communicate secretly.
Eles usaram uma cifra para se comunicar secretamente.
3. A sum of money or financial amount
The company reported record cifras this quarter.
A empresa reportou cifras recordes este trimestre.
4. A musical composition or instrumental piece, especially a guitar tablature notation
The guitarist learned the song from a cipher.
O guitarrista aprendeu a música de uma cifra.
5. An ornamental design or monogram composed of initials
The monogram was an elegant cipher of interlocking letters.
O monograma era uma cifra elegante de letras entrelaçadas.
In Brazilian Portuguese, 'cifra' is widely used in financial and business contexts to express large sums of money. In music, particularly in guitar and Brazilian popular music, 'cifra' refers to tablature notation that shows finger positions rather than traditional sheet music notation. This musical usage is especially prevalent in samba, forró, and other traditional Brazilian genres where musicians often learn songs from cifras published in books or online.
Related Idioms & Phrases
cifra redonda - round number
em cifras - in numbers/figures
cifra negra - black market figures
cifra de negócios - business turnover/revenue
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