Language Differences | Didasko Project Portugal

The Portuguese language spoken in Portugal presents differences compared to the one spoken in Brazil. The main differences involve: phonetics, syntax, spelling, vocabulary and formal/informal speech.

Phonetics

The Portuguese tend to reduce vowels, while in Brazil they are typically well pronounced and open.

Syntax

In Brazil: "Me dá um presente?" / In Portugal: "Dá-me um presente?"
In Brazil: "Estou almoçando" / In Portugal: "Estou a almoçar"

Spelling

In Brazil, silent consonants are removed (facto/fato, óptimo/ótimo). The circumflex accent in Portugal is replaced by the acute accent (bebê/bebé, bônus/bónus).

Formal and Informal Speech

In Portugal, "tu" is exclusive for friends and family. Using "você" explicitly sounds rude — the Portuguese drop the pronoun and conjugate in the 3rd person. Mixing them up can seem impolite.

Vocabulary Differences

Everyday words that have different meanings in Portugal and Brazil.

A - C

Autocarro Bus (PT) / Ônibus (BR)

Autoclismo Flush (PT) / Descarga (BR)

Ananás Pineapple (PT) / Abacaxi (BR)

Apelido Surname (PT) / Nickname (BR)

Atacadores Shoelaces (PT) / Cadarços (BR)

Bica Espresso (PT) / Café expresso (BR)

Bicha Queue/Line (PT) / Fila (BR)

Boleia Ride (PT) / Carona (BR)

Camião Truck (PT) / Caminhão (BR)

Casa de banho Bathroom (PT) / Banheiro (BR)

Castanho Brown (PT) / Marrom (BR)

Chapéu de chuva Umbrella (PT) / Guarda-chuva (BR)

Chávena Cup (PT) / Xícara (BR)

Código Postal Postal Code (PT) / CEP (BR)

Comboio Train (PT) / Trem (BR)

Comando Remote control (PT) / Controle remoto (BR)

Conduzir To drive (PT) / Dirigir (BR)

Constipado Having a cold (PT) / Resfriado (BR)

D - M

Desporto Sport (PT) / Esporte (BR)

Ecrã Screen (PT) / Tela (BR)

Eléctrico Tram (PT) / Bonde (BR)

Ementa Menu (PT) / Cardápio (BR)

Equipa Team (PT) / Equipe (BR)

Fato Suit (PT) / Terno (BR)

Fiambre Ham (PT) / Presunto (BR)

Fixe Cool (PT) / Legal (BR)

Frigorífico Fridge (PT) / Geladeira (BR)

Gelado Ice cream (PT) / Sorvete (BR)

Ginásio Gym (PT) / Academia (BR)

Golo Goal (PT) / Gol (BR)

Guitarra Acoustic guitar (PT) / Violão (BR)

Levantar (dinheiro) Withdraw money (PT) / Sacar (BR)

Lixívia Bleach (PT) / Água sanitária (BR)

Miúdo(a) Kid (PT) / Criança (BR)

Morada Address (PT) / Endereço (BR)

Multibanco ATM (PT) / Caixa eletrônico (BR)

N - Z

Natas Cream (PT) / Creme de leite (BR)

NIF Tax ID (PT) / CPF (BR)

Palinha Straw (PT) / Canudo (BR)

Paragem Bus stop (PT) / Ponto de ônibus (BR)

Passadeira Crosswalk (PT) / Faixa de pedestres (BR)

Passeio Sidewalk (PT) / Calçada (BR)

Pequeno almoço Breakfast (PT) / Café da manhã (BR)

Portagem Toll (PT) / Pedágio (BR)

Prenda Gift (PT) / Presente (BR)

Rapariga Girl (PT) / Moça (BR)

Rebuçado Candy (PT) / Bala (BR)

Relva Grass/Lawn (PT) / Grama (BR)

Rotunda Roundabout (PT) / Rotatória (BR)

Sandes Sandwich (PT) / Sanduíche (BR)

Sumo Juice (PT) / Suco (BR)

Talho Butcher shop (PT) / Açougue (BR)

Telemóvel Cell phone (PT) / Celular (BR)

Travão Brake (PT) / Freio (BR)

Common Portuguese Expressions

Everyday

"A comida sabe bem" — The food tastes good
"Aguentar nas canetas" — To be very tired (lit. "holding on the pens")
"Descalçar esta bota" — To solve a problem (lit. "take off this boot")
"Estar em pulgas" — To be anxious (lit. "to be in fleas")

Idiomatic Expressions

"Estar-se nas tintas" — To not care at all (lit. "to be in the inks")
"Falar nas costas" — To talk behind someone's back
"Não joga com o baralho todo" — To be crazy (lit. "doesn't play with a full deck")
"Pêra doce" — Easy (lit. "sweet pear")

Others

"Ter lata" — To have nerve/audacity (lit. "to have a can")
"Ver-se grego" — To have great difficulty (lit. "to see oneself Greek")
"Porreiro" — Cool, great (informal compliment)
"Bué" — A lot, very much (of Angolan origin)