Main Differences European Between Brazilian Portuguese
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If you’re starting to learn Portuguese, you might quickly notice that the language sounds very different depending on who’s speaking it.
Just like American English and British English have different accents and words, Portuguese is divided into two main varieties:
Brazilian Portuguese and European Portuguese (spoken in Portugal).
The differences between Brazilian and European Portuguese are actually a bit bigger than the differences between American and British English.
They have distinct rules for grammar, completely different words for everyday objects, and a very different “music” to how they sound.
Even with these differences, if you learn one, you’ll still be able to communicate with speakers of the other.
Let’s look at the key differences below.
Table of Contents:
Pronunciation and accent
The most obvious difference between the two varieties is how they sound.
Brazilian Portuguese is famous for its open vowels. It sounds very rhythmic, clear, and melodic. In Brazil, speakers pronounce almost every single vowel in a word.
European Portuguese, on the other hand, sounds a bit more closed and fast. Speakers in Portugal often drop the unstressed vowels in a word, meaning they “eat” the vowels and push the consonants together. To a beginner, European Portuguese can actually sound a bit like Russian or Polish!
Here are two quick pronunciation rules that show the difference:
The letter “S” at the end of a word:
In Portugal (and in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil), an “s” at the end of a word is pronounced like an English “sh”. In most of Brazil, it’s pronounced like a normal “s”.
The letters “TE” and “DE”:
In most of Brazil, “te” and “de” at the end of words are pronounced like “chee” and “jee”. In Portugal, they keep a hard “t” and “d” sound.
Grammar and sentence structure
While the core rules of the language are the same, there are a few big differences in how Brazilians and Portuguese people build their sentences.
The gerund (“ing” words)
In English, when you’re doing something right now, you use an “-ing” word (like eating or running).
In Brazilian Portuguese, they do the exact same thing using words that end in -ndo.
Estou falando.
In European Portuguese, they don’t use the “-ndo” ending. Instead, they use the preposition a plus the dictionary form of the verb (the infinitive).
Estou a falar.
Pronoun placement
Another big difference is where you put little pronouns (like me, te, or se).
Brazilians love to put the pronoun before the verb. It flows better with their speaking style.
Me chamo Daniela.
Te amo.
In Portugal, the strict grammar rule is to put the pronoun after the verb, connected by a hyphen.
Chamo-me Daniela.
Amo-te.
Vocabulary differences
Sometimes, Brazilians and Portuguese people use entirely different words for the exact same thing.
If you ask for a trem (train) in Portugal, people might look at you funny, because they call it a comboio.
Here’s a helpful table showing some of the most common everyday vocabulary differences:
| English | Brazilian Portuguese | European Portuguese |
|---|---|---|
| Bus | Ônibus | Autocarro |
| Train | Trem | Comboio |
| Cell phone | Celular | Telemóvel |
| Ice cream | Sorvete | Gelado |
| Juice | Suco | Sumo |
| Fridge | Geladeira | Frigorífico |
| Pineapple | Abacaxi | Ananás |
| Dog | Cachorro | Cão |
Formal vs. informal speech (tu vs. você)
Knowing how to say “you” is very important in Portuguese, but the rules change depending on which side of the ocean you’re on.
In Brazil:
The word você is used almost everywhere to say “you.” You can use it with your friends, your family, your boss, and strangers. It’s very versatile! (Note: In some regions of Brazil, like the South and Northeast, people do use tu, but você is understood everywhere).
Você é meu amigo.
In Portugal:
There’s a very strict difference between formal and informal speech. If you’re talking to a friend, a child, or a family member, you must use tu. If you’re talking to a stranger, an elder, or someone at work, you use the formal form. In Portugal, this usually means dropping the pronoun completely and just using the formal verb, or using o senhor / a senhora.
Tu és o meu amigo.
Which one should you learn?
This is the most common question I get from beginners.
The answer entirely depends on your personal goals.
- Learn Brazilian Portuguese if: You plan to travel to Brazil, you want to consume Brazilian media (like bossa nova music or famous soap operas), or you want to connect with Brazilian friends. Because Brazil has over 200 million people, it’s the most widely spoken and taught version of the language.
- Learn European Portuguese if: You’re planning to move to or vacation in Portugal, you have Portuguese heritage, or you’re interested in working in Portugal.
Remember, no matter which one you choose, you’re still learning Portuguese. A Brazilian can talk to a Portuguese person and understand them just fine.
