← Back to searchWord Index →

Is the word achado the same in Brazilian and European Portuguese?

No.

While the spelling and the literal meaning (something found or a discovery) are identical in both dialects, there are significant differences in pronunciation and typical usage.

In Brazilian Portuguese, "achado" is used very frequently as a colloquialism to describe a "bargain" or a "hidden gem," applying to both objects and people. In Continental Portuguese, while the word is used for discoveries, the term "pechincha" is much more natural when referring to a bargain, and "achado" is less commonly used as a metaphor for a person. Additionally, the pronunciation of the first vowel differs: it is a more open [a] in Brazil and a more closed or reduced [ɐ] in Portugal.

Brazilian Portuguese

  1. Este tênis foi um achado! (This sneaker was a real find!)
  2. Essa loja é um achado, tem tudo muito barato. (That store is a hidden gem, everything is very cheap there.)
  3. Comprei esse livro numa promoção, foi um achado. (I bought this book on sale, it was a bargain.)
  4. Aquele vendedor é um achado para a nossa empresa. (That salesman is a real find for our company.)
  5. Olha esse preço, é um achado! (Look at this price, it's a bargain!)

Continental Portuguese

  1. Estas sapatilhas foram uma pechincha! (These sneakers were a bargain!)
  2. Essa loja é uma descoberta, tem tudo muito barato. (That store is a discovery, everything is very cheap there.)
  3. Comprei este livro numa promoção, foi uma oportunidade. (I bought this book on sale, it was an opportunity.)
  4. Aquele vendedor é um grande trunfo para a nossa empresa. (That salesman is a great asset to our company.)
  5. Olha este preço, é uma pechincha! (Look at this price, it's a bargain!)