vs · BR vs PT Word Differences

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

No

While the spelling, meaning, and conjugation of "chegaram" are identical in both dialects, there is a difference in typical usage regarding the preposition that follows the verb when indicating a destination.

In Brazilian Portuguese, it is most natural to use the preposition em (and its contractions no, na, num, numa) to indicate where someone or something has arrived. In Continental Portuguese, the standard and natural usage is the preposition a (and its contractions ao, à).

Brazilian Portuguese Examples

1. Eles chegaram em casa tarde. (They arrived home late.)
2. As encomendas chegaram no escritório hoje. (The packages arrived at the office today.)
3. Meus amigos chegaram no aeroporto agora. (My friends arrived at the airport now.)
4. Os alunos chegaram na escola muito cedo. (The students arrived at school very early.)
5. As encomendas chegaram na minha casa. (The packages arrived at my house.)

Continental Portuguese Examples

1. Eles chegaram a casa tarde. (They arrived home late.)
2. As encomendas chegaram ao escritório hoje. (The packages arrived at the office today.)
3. Os meus amigos chegaram ao aeroporto agora. (My friends arrived at the airport now.)
4. Os alunos chegaram à escola muito cedo. (The students arrived at school very early.)
5. As encomendas chegaram à minha casa. (The packages arrived at my house.)