vs · BR vs PT Word Differences

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

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

No.

While the spelling and the fundamental meaning of "comenta" (the third-person singular present indicative or the imperative form of the verb comentar) are identical, there are differences in grammar, typical usage, and pronunciation:

• Grammar and Usage: In Brazil, "comenta" is the most natural way to form the imperative (a command or request) when addressing someone as você (the standard "you" in much of Brazil), especially in social media contexts (e.g., "Comenta aí!"). In Portugal, "comenta" is the imperative for the informal tu. To address someone using the more formal or standard você, a Portuguese person would use the form "comente."
• Pronunciation: In Brazilian Portuguese, the unstressed "e" in "comenta" is typically pronounced clearly as a mid-front vowel [e]. In Continental Portuguese, unstressed vowels undergo significant reduction, often making the "e" sound like a very short, muffled [ɨ] or appearing almost silent.

Brazilian Portuguese Examples

1. Comenta aqui embaixo o que você achou! (Comment down below what you thought!)
2. O que você comenta sobre essa polêmica? (What do you comment on this controversy?)
3. Ela sempre comenta as minhas fotos no Instagram. (She always comments on my Instagram photos.)
4. O apresentador comenta a notícia ao vivo. (The presenter comments on the news live.)
5. Você comenta muito nos meus posts. (You comment a lot on my posts.)

Continental Portuguese Examples

1. Tu comenta o que achas desta notícia. (Comment [imperative] what you think of this news.)
2. Ele comenta frequentemente os resultados do jogo. (He frequently comments on the game results.)
3. A equipa comenta a vitória com entusiasmo. (The team comments on the victory with enthusiasm.)
4. O que é que ela comenta sobre o assunto? (What is it that she comments on regarding the subject?)
5. O jornalista comenta o acontecimento no telejornal. (The journalist comments on the event on the news program.)