You’re undoubtedly aware that there are two widely accepted Portuguese standards: European and Brazilian standards. Most language learners, on the other hand, are unaware of their distinctions and, more importantly, how significant they are.

For many people, Portuguese is a language that is spoken in the same way in numerous nations worldwide. Native speakers, on the other hand, are well conscious of country variations. Let’s have a look at some of the distinctions between Portuguese in Europe and Portuguese in Brazil.

The Portuguese language

Portuguese is the world’s sixth most widely spoken language. Portuguese is spoken by around 280 million people globally. Angola, Brazil, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Equatorial Guinea, Mozambique, Portugal, So Tomé and Principe, and East Timor all speak it. Other regions, such as Macau, China, have a Portuguese-speaking population. So, when it comes to European Portuguese vs. Brazilian Portuguese, what are the key distinctions?

What are the most significant differences between Brazilian and European Portuguese?

Pronunciation is one of the most important distinctions between Brazilian and European Portuguese. The vowels in Brazilian Portuguese are longer and broader, whereas the vowels in European Portuguese are not as prominent.

In addition, several consonants are pronounced differently in Brazil than in Europe. The S at the end of a word in Brazilian Portuguese is pronounced SS, whereas it is pronounced SH in European Portuguese.

Accents

Some individuals prefer Brazilian Portuguese over European Portuguese because of the open vowels, yet European Portuguese sounds slurred and doughy to them. For foreign ears, Brazilian accents have a lilting and powerful cadence, making BP easier to acquire and understand at first. Because of the variations in pronunciation, getting accustomed to the accent on the other side of the Atlantic may take a bit longer.

• Grammar and spelling

Some words have multiple spellings. For example, in EP, reception is spelled “receço,” but in BP, “recepço” is spelled with an audible p. This is true for words in which the letter p is audible in BP but not in EP.

Brazilians are very inventive with their Portuguese, converting nouns into verbs in some cases. The Portuguese phrase “dar os parabéns” is used to convey congratulations, although Brazilians sometimes compress the term into a single verb – “parabenizar“.

• Formal and informal speech

In Brazil, you may address most individuals with “você” in casual circumstances, but it also works in some official situations, bringing it closer to the English language’s classless universality of you. However, in Portugal, “tu” is reserved for friends, family, and relaxed circumstances.

 

What is the best Portuguese to learn?

Consider where you’ll be working, learning, or traveling in the future. Do you prefer some sounds over others? Which culture do you find more appealing: Brazilian or Portuguese? If you had the choice, where would you like to live? Are there any acquaintances you have in any of these countries?

If you want to travel, live, or work in Portugal, or if you want to access additional Portuguese-speaking nations, or if you want to study a more formal and traditional language, European Portuguese is a good choice.

If you wish to travel, live, and work in Brazil, or if you want to study a simpler and more casual version of Portuguese, or if you want to understand more about South American cultures and traditions, consider learning Brazilian Portuguese.

FINAL TIP…

Remember that whatever language you choose, it is still the same language, so you will be able to read literature produced in both nations and converse with people with ease. Don’t allow little stumbling blocks stand in the way of cross-cultural dialogue.