vs · BR vs PT Word Differences

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

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

No.

While the core meaning of "curar" (to heal, to cure, or to preserve meat/cheese) is identical in both dialects, there are significant differences in grammar, spelling, and typical usage:

• Grammar (Pronoun Placement): In Brazilian Portuguese, reflexive or object pronouns are typically placed before the verb (proclisis), such as "eu me curei." In Continental Portuguese, they are standardly placed after the verb (enclisis), such as "eu curei-me."
• Grammar (Continuous Aspect): Brazilians use the gerund to express ongoing actions ("está curando"), whereas Portuguese people use the preposition "a" followed by the infinitive ("está a curar").
• Spelling (Accentuation): There is a spelling difference in the first-person plural past tense. In Brazil, "curamos" is used for both present and past. In Portugal, an accent is used to distinguish the past tense: "curámos" (past) versus "curamos" (present).
• Typical Usage: There are differences in the choice of pronouns (você in Brazil vs. tu in Portugal) and demonstratives (esse in Brazil vs. este in Portugal).

Brazilian Portuguese Examples

1. Eu me curei rapidinho. (I recovered super fast.)
2. O médico vai curar você logo. (The doctor will cure you soon.)
3. Ela está se curando muito bem. (She is healing very well.)
4. Você precisa curar essa ferida. (You need to heal that wound.)
5. A gente se curou com esse remédio. (We healed with this medicine.)

Continental Portuguese Examples

1. Eu curei-me muito depressa. (I recovered very quickly.)
2. O médico vai curar-te em breve. (The doctor will cure you soon.)
3. Ela está a curar-se muito bem. (She is healing very well.)
4. Tu precisas de curar esta ferida. (You need to heal this wound.)
5. Nós curámo-nos com este medicamento. (We healed with this medicine.)