literary form

[/ˈlɪt.ə.rer.i fɔːrm/]
nounpl: literary forms
forma literária
1. A distinctive structural pattern or genre used in literature, characterized by specific conventions, techniques, and aesthetic principles
The sonnet is a literary form that consists of fourteen lines with a specific rhyme scheme.
O soneto é uma forma literária que consiste em quatorze versos com um esquema de rima específico.
2. The external structure or arrangement of words and lines in a written work
Poetry and prose are two distinct literary forms.
A poesia e a prosa são duas formas literárias distintas.
3. The artistic method or technique employed to express ideas in written composition
The epistolary literary form uses letters to tell the story.
A forma literária epistolar utiliza cartas para contar a história.
In Brazil and Portugal, 'forma literária' is primarily used in academic, educational, and critical contexts. It's essential terminology in literature courses, literary criticism, and publishing. The concept emphasizes how different genres (romance, conto, poesia, drama) follow specific conventions and structural patterns that define them within literary tradition.
Synonyms / Sinônimos
literary genreliterary styleliterary modepoetic formnarrative form
Antonyms / Antônimos
formlessnesschaos

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
forma literária
Standard term used in literary criticism and academic contexts
Rio de Janeiro
forma literária
Same as general Brazilian Portuguese
São Paulo
forma literária
Same as general Brazilian Portuguese, used in universities and publishing
Portugal
forma literária
Identical usage in European Portuguese literary studies

Related Words

genrestructurenarrativecompositionconventionaestheticprosody

Related Idioms & Phrases

master a literary form
break the literary form
within the bounds of a literary form
experiment with literary forms
Look up more words on Fala2Me
The free English-Portuguese dictionary with real Brazilian accents, NYC slang, conjugator and more
Open Fala2Me →