DIFFERENCES BETWEEN BRAZILIAN AND EUROPEAN PORTUGUESE

2020-04-21

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN BRAZILIAN AND EUROPEAN PORTUGUESE

PHONETICS

The differences between European and Brazilian Portuguese are not just in how words are written, but also how they are pronounced. There are even different accents within each country, although some standards are upheld. Here are some of the differences:

Brasil	Portugal
“L”: In Brazil, when an “L” appears at the end of a word, it has the sound of a “U”, i.e.: papeu, visuau, portau, etc.	In Portugal, the “L” maintains its phonetics (“papel, visual, portal”).

“R”: When it comes at the end of a word, such as verbs in the infinitive, the “R” is dropped in Brazilian Portuguese: comê, vivê, falá.	Versus comer, viver, falar.

Vowels: The two varieties of Portugues e are very different in this regard. Generally speaking, when one has an open vowel, it is closed in the other. In Brazil: cásácu, gêmeos, fálá .	In Portugal: câsácu, gémius, fâlár.

PRONOUNS

In Brazilian Portuguese, pronouns come before the verb:	In European Portuguese, pronouns come after the verb:
Me dá um beijo. (“Give me a kiss.”)	Dá-me um beijo. (“Give me a kiss.”)

GERUND

In European Portuguese, the gerund is not commonly used, regardless of the verb tense:

Portuguese (BR)	Portuguese (PT)	English (US)
Estou comendo sopa. Estava comendo sopa. Estarei comendo sopa.	Estou a comer sopa. Estava a comer sopa. Estarei a comer sopa.	I am eating soup. I was eating soup. I will be eating soup.

ACCENTS

There are differences in how some words are written. The circumflex is not used as frequently in European Portuguese, while the acute accent is more common.

Portuguese (BR)	Portuguese (PT)	English (US)
Tênis Acadêmico Gêmeo Bônus	Ténis Académico Gémeo Bónus	Tennis Academic Twin Bonus

VOCABULARY

In addition to differences in writing and phonetics, some words have different meanings. Some Brazilian vocabulary is also influenced by American English. Below are some examples:

Portuguese (PT)	Portuguese (BR)	English (US)
Telemóvel	Celular	Cellphone
Casa de banho	Banheiro	Bathroom
Autocarro	Ônibus	Autobus
Comboio	Trem	Train
Equipa	Time	Team
Carro descapotável	Carro conversível	Convertible car
Conduzir	Dirigir	Drive

FALSE COGNATES

It’s true… not only do different languages have the well-known “false friends”; the same holds true between different varieties of the same language! Here are some examples:

Portugual	Meaning	Brazil	Meaning
Durex	Brand of condoms	Durex	Tape
Taxa	Percentage	Taxa	Kickback
Apelido	Last name	Apelido	Nickname
Bala	Bullet	Bala	Candy
Esmalte	Enamel	Esmalte	Nail polish

TERMINOLOGY

The terminology of any given field of expertise will also have considerable differences in both Portuguese variants. So, readers/users/operators of one variant may do not understand or be misled if provided with documentation in the other variant.

“INTERNATIONAL PORTUGUESE”

Furthermore, unlike Spanish, there is no “International Portuguese”. So if your documents are intended for Brazilian reader, have them translate into Brazilian Portuguese; if your audience is based in Portugal or in an African Portuguese speaking countries, then request European Portuguese.

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