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European and Brazilian Portuguese: differences with examples

Planning to travel or live in Portugal, but finding mostly Brazilian learning videos? Much of what you learn will still be useful. Choosing a variety deliberately can help you focus your vocabulary and listening practice. Start with these practical examples.

Libraski

1. Learn everyday vocabulary in a question

The usual word for a bus is autocarro in Portugal and ônibus in Brazil. Learn it as part of a question you can actually use, instead of memorising two separate lists.

Onde fica a paragem do autocarro?: Where is the bus stop?Portugal: autocarro means bus; paragem means stop.
ônibus: Bus in Brazil

Further reading: Infopédia / Porto Editora · bus

2. Say what you are doing now

Portugal commonly uses estar a + infinitive, while Brazil favours estar + gerund. Both can describe an action in progress.

Estou a preparar o jantar.: I am preparing dinner.A useful starting pattern for European Portuguese: estou a + verb.
Estou preparando o jantar.: I am preparing dinner.

Further reading: Ciberdúvidas · estar a + infinitivo / gerúndio

3. Listen for the stressed syllable

Unstressed vowels are often reduced more strongly in European Portuguese. That can make a word you recognise in writing harder to catch in conversation.

Try this routine: listen to one short sentence from Portugal without its text. Read along next and mark the stressed syllables. Listen again, then repeat the whole sentence. Work with a manageable example before moving on to a longer list.

Further reading: Ciberdúvidas · Vogais átonas abertas

4. Choose a focus without treating it as a rigid rule

If Portugal is your goal, look for pt-PT or “português europeu” when choosing new practice material. If you already know a Brazilian form, write its Portuguese counterpart beside it.

Variation does not stop at a national border. Gerunds also occur in Portugal, including in regional speech. A common pattern does not make every alternative incorrect.

Further reading: Ciberdúvidas · Uso do gerúndio em Portugal

Try it yourself

In Portugal, say “I am learning Portuguese.” Complete: Estou ___ aprender português.

Show the answer and explanation

Estou a aprender português.

Here, a follows estou and comes before the infinitive aprender. The Brazilian form Estou aprendendo português expresses the same basic idea.