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Is the word arrume the same in Brazilian and European Portuguese?
No
While the dictionary definition of "arrume" (the third-person singular present subjunctive or the second-person singular imperative of the verb arrumar) is fundamentally the same, there are significant differences in typical usage and grammatical application between Brazil and Portugal.
- Usage of the verb: In Brazil, "arrumar" is very commonly used to mean "to find" or "to obtain" something (e.g., arrumar um emprego — to find a job). In Portugal, while understood, speakers are much more likely to use conseguir (to get) or encontrar (to find).
- Imperative Form: In Brazil, "arrume" is the standard way to give a command to someone you address as você (the common polite/neutral second person). In Portugal, the informal command (addressing tu) would be "arruma." A Portuguese person would only use "arrume" if they were addressing someone formally (o senhor or a senhora).
- Colloquialisms: In Brazil, "arrumar confusão" (to cause trouble) is a standard expression. In Portugal, different verbs like meter-se (to get into) or causar (to cause) are more natural in that context.
Brazilian Portuguese Examples
- Arrume sua mala antes de viajar. (Pack your suitcase before traveling.)
- Espero que ele arrume o erro no código. (I hope he fixes the error in the code.)
- Ela precisa arrumar um emprego novo. (She needs to find a new job.)
- Arrume a mesa para o jantar, por favor. (Set the table for dinner, please.)
- Não arrume confusão com ele. (Don't get into trouble with him.)
European Portuguese Examples
- Arruma a tua mala antes de viajares. (Pack your suitcase before traveling.)
- Espero que ele corrija o erro no código. (I hope he corrects the error in the code.)
- Ela precisa de conseguir um emprego novo. (She needs to get a new job.)
- Arruma a mesa para o jantar, por favor. (Set the table for dinner, please.)
- Não te metas em sarilhos com ele. (Don't get into trouble with him.)