← Back to searchWord Index →

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

No. While the spelling, grammar, and literal meaning (aviation) are identical, there is a difference in typical usage regarding metaphorical expressions. In Brazil, "decolar" is the standard, natural verb used to describe a business, career, or project "taking off" or achieving success. In Portugal, while "decolar" is used for aircraft, a person would more naturally use the verb "descolar" to express the same idea of gaining momentum or starting to succeed.

Brazilian Portuguese

  1. O avião vai decolar em dez minutos. (The plane will take off in ten minutes.)
  2. Minha carreira decolou após o curso. (My career took off after the course.)
  3. A pequena startup decolou rapidamente. (The small startup took off quickly.)
  4. O plano de marketing fez a marca decolar. (The marketing plan made the brand take off.)
  5. Esperamos que o novo setor decole logo. (We hope the new sector takes off soon.)

Continental Portuguese

  1. O avião vai decolar em dez minutos. (The plane will take off in ten minutes.)
  2. A minha carreira descolou após o curso. (My career took to success after the course.)
  3. A pequena startup descolou rapidamente. (The small startup took off quickly.)
  4. O plano de marketing fez a marca descolar. (The marketing plan made the brand take off.)
  5. Esperamos que o novo setor descole logo. (We hope the new sector takes off soon.)