Brazilian vs European Portuguese – Key Differences Explained

Portuguese ranks as the sixth most spoken language globally, following Chinese, Spanish, English, Hindi, and Arabic. The language has two predominant variations: Brazilian Portuguese, spoken by over 200 million people in Brazil, and European Portuguese, used in Portugal and several other European countries. While these two versions share a common foundation, they exhibit notable differences in intonation, pronunciation, grammar, and vocabulary.

Understanding these distinctions is crucial, especially for language learners and professionals working across Portuguese-speaking regions.

Historical Evolution of Portuguese

Countries tend to follow the linguistic developments of the mother country with a bit of delay due to the geographical distance. Portuguese was not deemed the official language in Brazil until 1758, whereas the colonization really began in the 16th century. Over time, changes occurred in the language because of increasing contact with European and Asian immigrants.

The other countries colonized by Portugal speak a Portuguese more akin to the mother language. Why? Many of them are African countries, so they don’t have external contact from other cultures that could have impacted their way of speaking. Secondly, compared to Brazil, those countries gained their independence much later and had more contact with Portugal during their early development.

Pronunciation Differences in Brazilian vs. European Portuguese

Pronunciation is one of the main differences between the languages. Brazilians speak vowels longer and wider, while Portuguese pronounce the words with a more closed mouth, without pronouncing the vowels as much.

The pronunciation of some consonants is also different, particularly the S at the end of a word.

• In Brazilian Portuguese, an S at the end of a word is pronounced as SS;
• in Portugal, it is pronounced as SH.

Accent Variations

Brazilian Portuguese is thought to be more phonetically pleasing to the ear thanks to its open vowels, while European Portuguese can sound somewhat garbled. Brazilian accents have a strong cadence and lift to them, making it easier to learn and understand.

Grammar and Spelling Distinctions

Some words are spelled differently. For instance, reception in European Portuguese is “receção”, but in Brazilian Portuguese, there is an audible p to the spelling of “recepção.” In other words, the letter p is audible in Brazilian Portuguese and silent in European Portuguese.

Brazilians are more creative with their use of Portuguese, converting some nouns into verbs. To congratulate uses the Portuguese phrase — “dar os parabéns” — but Brazilians may condense the expression into one verb – “parabenizar.”

Sometimes, Brazilian Portuguese takes words from American English, ignoring its Latin roots. European Portuguese usually adopts words from Latin roots, keeping the original spelling. Overall, European Portuguese is more resistant to change and assimilation of foreign words.

Formal vs. Informal Speech: A Cultural Reflection

European Portuguese is the more formal of the two versions. In Brazilian Portuguese, the word você is used for “you” in informal settings; in European Portuguese, tu is utilized in the same context. In Portugal, they view the você as crude and thus remove the second-person pronoun in less casual situations and instead use the verb in the third-person singular.
When describing actions, Brazilians use “estou fazendo” to mean “I am doing,” and the European Portuguese use the infinitive form, “estou a fazer.” The latter is less direct and translates to “I am taken to doing.”

How to Choose Between Brazilian and European Portuguese in 2024

Choosing between Brazilian and European Portuguese is a personal decision shaped by your goals, interests, and available resources. If your passion lies in classic literature or you are drawn to Europe’s rich history, European Portuguese might be the best fit. On the other hand, if you’re captivated by Brazil’s vibrant culture, Carnival, and samba, Brazilian Portuguese could be more appealing.

Additionally, the availability of learning resources is a key factor. Brazil’s larger population means more accessible content and opportunities to practice with native speakers, which may make Brazilian Portuguese a more practical choice for many learners. Finding professional resources that offer instruction tailored to your needs will significantly enhance your learning experience.

Ultimately, consider your long-term aspirations and the cultural aspects that resonate with you most to make the best decision for your language journey in 2024.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Dialect

What are your future plans? The answer will help you determine which Portuguese variety would be best for you. If you would like to work for the United Nations someday, you should learn Continental Portuguese because its operations are based in Europe. If you want a job in a North American enterprise, Brazilian Portuguese will be best because that country has a bigger economic and trading base. Still can’t decide between the two?

You may want to go with European Portuguese if you:

1. Want to travel, live in or work in Portugal
2. Want to access a wider spectrum of Portuguese-speaking countries (most of them are more aligned with the European accent)
3. Want to learn a more formal and traditional version of the language
4. Are drawn to the European experience, from its ancient history to its Mediterranean lifestyle

Consider learning Brazilian Portuguese if you:

1. Wish to travel, live in or work in Brazil
2. Want an easier, more informal version of the language to learn
3. Want to apply your linguistic skills to break into a bigger economic market
4. Love South American cultures and traditions

The Beauty of the Portuguese Language

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Author: Ryan McMunn is the CEO and Founder of BRIC Language Learning, an interactive online language learning program. In addition to being an entrepreneur and executive is multiple businesses, Ryan is an advocate for bridging the cultural divide between China and the U.S. and travels the world speaking to young business graduates preparing to enter today’s workforce.

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