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

No

While the underlying meaning is recognizable in both dialects, there is a difference in typical usage. In Brazil, "chance" is a very common, everyday synonym for "oportunidade" (opportunity) or "possibilidade" (possibility). In Portugal, however, "chance" is used much less frequently for these purposes; speakers much prefer "oportunidade" for opportunities and "possibilidade" or "probabilidade" for likelihood. In Portugal, "chance" is often more closely associated with "luck" or "randomness."

There is also a difference in pronunciation: Brazilian Portuguese features more open vowel sounds, whereas Continental Portuguese tends to reduce or "swallow" unstressed vowels, making the word sound much more clipped and the final syllable nearly silent.

Brazilian Portuguese Examples

  1. Eu não tive chance de falar com ele. (I didn't have a chance to talk to him.)
  2. Existe alguma chance de chover hoje? (Is there any chance of rain today?)
  3. Me dá uma chance de te ajudar. (Give me a chance to help you.)
  4. Ele tem grandes chances de ganhar o prêmio. (He has great chances of winning the prize.)
  5. Aproveite essa chance única. (Take advantage of this unique chance.)

Continental Portuguese Examples

  1. Não tive oportunidade de falar com ele. (I didn't have the opportunity to talk to him.)
  2. Há alguma possibilidade de chover hoje? (Is there any possibility of rain today?)
  3. Dá-me uma oportunidade de te ajudar. (Give me an opportunity to help you.)
  4. Ele tem grandes probabilidades de ganhar o prémio. (He has great probabilities of winning the prize.)
  5. Aproveita esta oportunidade única. (Take advantage of this unique opportunity.)