vs · BR vs PT Word Differences

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

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

Yes

The word "aprendem" is identical in spelling, meaning, and grammatical function in both Brazilian and Continental Portuguese. It is the third-person plural form of the verb aprender (to learn) in the present indicative tense. The only significant difference lies in pronunciation:

• Brazilian Portuguese: The vowels tend to be more "open" and clearly articulated. The unstressed "e" in the middle of the word is often pronounced as a soft [i] sound (e.g., a-pren-deem).
• Continental Portuguese: The pronunciation is more "closed" and vowels in unstressed syllables are often reduced or almost silent. The "e" may sound like a very short, neutralized sound [ɨ], making the word sound more clipped (e.g., a-pren-dem).

Brazilian Portuguese Examples

1. Eles aprendem muito rápido. (They learn very fast.)
2. As crianças aprendem na escola. (The children learn at school.)
3. Vocês aprendem tudo com o professor. (You all learn everything with the teacher.)
4. Os alunos aprendem a matéria nova hoje. (The students learn the new subject today.) . Elas aprendem música com facilidade. (They learn music with ease.)

Continental Portuguese Examples

1. Eles aprendem depressa. (They learn fast.)
2. Os miúdos aprendem na escola. (The kids learn at school.)
3. Vocês aprendem imenso com os erros. (You all learn a lot from mistakes.)
4. Os estudantes aprendem a matéria hoje. (The students learn the subject today.)
5. Elas aprendem música com o professor. (They learn music with the teacher.)