vs · BR vs PT Word Differences

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

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

Yes.

The word "consegue" is identical in meaning, spelling, and grammatical function in both Brazilian and Continental Portuguese. The primary differences lie in pronunciation and the syntactic environment (the way the word interacts with other parts of the sentence).

In Brazilian Portuguese, vowels are generally more open and clearly articulated, and the final "e" in "consegue" is often pronounced as an "i" [kõˈseɡi]. In Continental Portuguese, unstressed vowels are heavily reduced or even dropped, making the final "e" almost silent or a very closed, indistinct sound [kõˈseɡɨ]. Furthermore, while the word "consegue" remains the same, the way it interacts with object pronouns (syntax) and the choice of surrounding vocabulary (lexicon) differs between the two dialects.

Brazilian Portuguese usage:

1. Você consegue me ajudar? (Can you help me?)
2. Ele não consegue chegar a tempo. (He can't arrive on time.)
3. Você consegue entender o que eu disse? (Can you understand what I said?)
4. Ela consegue pegar o ônibus. (She can catch the bus.)
5. Você consegue fazer isso sozinho? (Can you do this alone?)

Continental Portuguese usage:

1. Consegue ajudar-me? (Can you help me?) Note: Portuguese people typically use enclisis (placing the pronoun after the verb).
2. Ele não consegue chegar a horas. (He can't arrive on time.) Note: "A horas" is a common way to express being on time.
3. Consegue perceber o que eu disse? (Can you understand what I said?) Note: "Perceber" is much more natural than "entender" in Portugal for this context.
4. Ela consegue apanhar o autocarro. (She can catch the bus.) Note: "Apanhar" and "autocarro" are the standard terms in Portugal.
5. Consegue fazer isso sozinho? (Can you do this alone?)