tabuleiro

Tabuleiro is a Portuguese term that refers to a flat, rigid surface used as a base for performing tasks or as the playing field of a game. The word derives from tabula, Latin for “board” or “plank.” In everyday language, tabuleiro can denote wooden boards, cutting boards, or work surfaces, as well as panels used to mount components in various contexts. In electronics, tabuleiro may be used to mean a circuit board, though the more common term is placa de circuito impresso (PCB).

In games, tabuleiro denotes the game board itself—the planar surface where pieces are placed and moves are made. The best-known example is tabuleiro de xadrez, a chessboard, typically an eight-by-eight grid with alternating light and dark squares. Other games use different tabuleiros with various sizes and layouts, including damas (draughts), gamão (backgammon), and many regional board games. A tabuleiro often features markings to guide play, contrasting colors for clarity, and sometimes coordinates to record moves.

Beyond gaming, tabuleiro is also used for everyday flat surfaces and bases. This includes kitchen cutting boards, workbenches, and mounting surfaces in workshops or laboratories. The term emphasizes the functional role of the surface as a platform for action, organization, or play. In Portugal and Brazil, tabuleiro's meaning is determined by context, with the same word covering both recreational boards and practical surfaces.