oxítonas

Oxítonas are a category of words in the Portuguese language characterized by the placement of their tonic (stressed) syllable on the last syllable. This classification is part of the broader system of Portuguese accentuation rules, which also includes paroxítonas (penultimate syllable stressed) and proparoxítonas (antepenultimate syllable stressed).

The primary feature of oxítonas is the position of the emphasis on the final syllable. For example, in the word "café," the stress falls on the last syllable, making it an oxítona. These words often follow specific accentuation rules, especially when ending in certain vowels or consonants, and may require written accents to indicate pronunciation, such as in "jacaré" or "sofá."

In Portuguese orthography, in general, oxítonas that end in a vowel, 'n,' or 's' are typically not accented. However, when they end in a different consonant or vowel combination that could cause ambiguity, accents are used. For example, "avó" (grandmother), which is oxítona ending in "ó," bears an accent to indicate stress.

Understanding oxítonas is essential for proper pronunciation, spelling, and accentuation in Portuguese. They are commonly encountered in everyday language and form an integral part of the prosody system, influencing rhythm, emphasis, and clarity in spoken and written communication.