Is the word comendo the same in Brazilian and European Portuguese?
No
While the dictionary definition of "comendo" (the gerund of the verb comer) is the same in both dialects, there is a significant difference in grammatical usage regarding continuous actions.
In Brazilian Portuguese, the gerund (comendo) is the standard way to express an action that is happening right now. For example, "Estou comendo" (I am eating).
In Continental Portuguese, the standard way to express a continuous action is by using the preposition a followed by the infinitive form of the verb. While a Portuguese person would understand "estou comendo," it sounds distinctly Brazilian. To sound natural in Portugal, one would say "Estou a comer."
Brazilian Portuguese Examples
- Eu estou comendo uma pizza agora. (I am eating a pizza right now.)
- Ele está comendo muito rápido. (He is eating very fast.)
- O bebê está comendo papinha. (The baby is eating baby food.)
- Nós estamos comendo no restaurante novo. (We are eating at the new restaurant.)
- Você está comendo o meu chocolate? (Are you eating my chocolate?)
Continental Portuguese Examples
- Eu estou a comer uma pizza agora. (I am eating a pizza right now.)
- Ele está a comer muito rápido. (He is eating very fast.)
- O bebé está a comer papinha. (The baby is eating baby food.)
- Nós estamos a comer no restaurante novo. (We are eating at the new restaurant.)
- Estás a comer o meu chocolate? (Are you eating my chocolate?)
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· BR vs PT Word Differences