vs · BR vs PT Word Differences

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

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

Yes

The word "crescesse" is identical in spelling, meaning, and grammatical function in both Brazilian and Continental Portuguese. It is the pretérito imperfeito do subjuntivo (imperfect subjunctive) of the verb crescer (to grow). The only differences are phonological:

• Brazilian Portuguese: The pronunciation is generally more "open." Vowels are articulated clearly, and the rhythm is syllable-timed, which gives the word a more melodic cadence.
• Continental Portuguese: The pronunciation is more "closed." Vowels are often reduced or swallowed, and the rhythm is stress-timed, which can make the unstressed syllables sound much shorter or nearly silent to an untrained ear.

Brazilian Portuguese Examples:

1. Se eu crescesse mais rápido, seria mais alto. (If I grew faster, I would be taller.)
2. Eu gostaria que essa planta crescesse logo. (I would like this plant to grow soon.)
3. Se a empresa crescesse, poderíamos contratar mais gente. (If the company grew, we could hire more people.)
4. Se a criança crescesse em um ambiente saudável, seria muito melhor. (If the child grew up in a healthy environment, it would be much better.)
5. Se a economia crescesse, o país melhoraria. (If the economy grew, the country would improve.)

Continental Portuguese Examples:

1. Se eu crescesse mais depressa, seria mais alto. (If I grew faster, I would be taller.)
2. Gostaria que esta planta crescesse brevemente. (I would like this plant to grow soon.)
3. Se a empresa crescesse, poderíamos contratar mais pessoal. (If the company grew, we could hire more staff.)
4. Se a criança crescesse num ambiente saudável, seria muito melhor. (If the child grew up in a healthy environment, it would be much better.)
5. Se a economia crescesse, o país melhoraria. (If the economy grew, the country would improve.)