vs · BR vs PT Word Differences

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

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

No

While the word "cheiro" is spelled the same and carries the same core meaning in both varieties, there are significant differences in typical usage, prepositional patterns, and pronunciation.

• Typical Usage and Vocabulary: In Brazil, "cheiro" is a versatile, all-purpose word used for both pleasant and unpleasant smells. In Portugal, while "cheiro" is used, speakers are much more likely to use "odor" for neutral or unpleasant smells and "fragrância" or "perfume" for pleasant scents.
• Prepositional Patterns: A major difference in usage lies in the preposition that follows the word. Brazilians almost exclusively use "cheiro de [substance]" (e.g., cheiro de café). Portuguese speakers frequently use "cheiro a [substance]" (e.g., cheiro a café).
• Pronunciation: In Brazilian Portuguese, the diphthong "ei" is typically more open and clearly articulated, and the final "o" is pronounced as a distinct [u]. In Continental Portuguese, the "ei" is more closed, and the final "o" is often reduced or "swallowed," making the word sound much shorter and more clipped.

Brazilian Portuguese Examples

1. Eu amo o cheiro de café de manhã. (I love the smell of coffee in the morning.)
2. Que cheiro de lixo é esse? (What is that smell of trash?)
3. O cheiro desse perfume é maravilhoso. (The scent of this perfume is wonderful.)
4. Tem um cheiro de queimado aqui. (There is a smell of burning here.)
5. Eu gosto muito do cheiro de chuva. (I like the smell of rain very much.)

Continental Portuguese Examples

1. Adoro o cheiro do café logo de manhã. (I love the smell of coffee early in the morning.)
2. Que odor vem do lixo? (What odor comes from the trash?)
3. Esta fragrância é maravilhosa. (This fragrance is wonderful.)
4. Há um odor a queimado aqui. (There is a smell of burning here.)
5. O cheiro a chuva agrada-me. (The smell of rain pleases me.)