BR vs PT · BR vs PT Word Differences

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

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

No

The difference lies in usage. While a Portuguese person will understand "cadê" due to the influence of Brazilian media, the word is not used in standard or common conversational European Portuguese. "Cadê" is a contraction of the phrase "que é de" and serves as a ubiquitous, informal way in Brazil to ask about the location or whereabouts of someone or something. In Portugal, this construction is virtually non-existent; instead, people use "onde está" or the more colloquial "onde é que está."

Brazilian Portuguese Examples

  1. Cadê meu celular? (Where is my cell phone?)
  2. Cadê o Pedro? Ele não chegou. (Where is Pedro? He hasn't arrived.)
  3. Cadê a comida? Estou com fome! (Where is the food? I'm hungry!)
  4. Cadê o controle da TV? (Where is the TV remote?)
  5. Cadê todo mundo? A festa começou. (Where is everyone? The party has started.)

European Portuguese Examples

  1. Onde está o meu telemóvel? (Where is my mobile phone?)
  2. Onde é que está o Pedro? Ele não chegou. (Where is Pedro? He hasn't arrived.)
  3. Onde está a comida? Estou com fome! (Where is the food? I'm hungry!)
  4. Onde é que está o comando da televisão? (Where is the TV remote?)
  5. Onde está o pessoal? A festa começou. (Where is everyone/the people? The party has started.)