vs · BR vs PT Word Differences

Look up any Duolingo word — find out how it differs between Brazilian and European Portuguese

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

No.

While the spelling and the fundamental dictionary definition of the word are the same, there are differences in typical usage, grammar, and pronunciation.

• Typical Usage: In Brazil, "América" is frequently used colloquially as a shorthand to refer specifically to the United States. In Portugal, "América" almost exclusively refers to the American continent (North, Central, or South). A Portuguese person would rarely use "América" to mean the USA.
• Grammar: While the word itself does not change, the grammatical structures surrounding it differ significantly. Brazilians typically use the gerund (e.g., estou viajando), while Portuguese people use the prepositional infinitive (e.g., estou a viajar).
• Pronunciation: Brazilian Portuguese tends to have more open, melodic vowels, making the "é" in América very distinct and bright. Continental Portuguese features more "closed" or reduced vowels, where unstressed syllables are often shortened or nearly swallowed, creating a more staccato rhythm.

Brazilian Portuguese Examples

1. Eu estou viajando pela América. (I am traveling through America.)
2. A América é enorme. (America is huge.)
3. Ele mora na América. (He lives in America. [In Brazil, this often implies the USA])
4. Estamos conhecendo a América do Sul. (We are getting to know South America.)
5. Eu gosto muito da América. (I like America very much.)

Continental Portuguese Examples

1. Eu estou a viajar pela América. (I am traveling through America.)
2. A América é enorme. (America is huge.)
3. Ele vive nos Estados Unidos. (He lives in the United States.)
4. Estamos a conhecer a América do Sul. (We are getting to know South America.)
5. Eu gosto muito da América. (I like America very much.)