vs · BR vs PT Word Differences

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

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

Yes

The word "dedo" is identical in both Brazilian and European Portuguese regarding its meaning (finger or toe), spelling, and grammatical gender (masculine). The only difference lies in pronunciation. In Brazilian Portuguese, the vowels are generally more open and the word is pronounced with more phonetic clarity and a "syllable-timed" rhythm. In European Portuguese, the unstressed vowels are more heavily reduced or "swallowed," and the rhythm is "stress-timed," making the word sound more clipped.

Brazilian Portuguese Examples

• Eu cortei o dedo com a faca. (I cut my finger with the knife.)
• O dedo dele está muito inchado. (His finger is very swollen.)
• Coloque o anel no dedo anelar. (Put the ring on the ring finger.)
• Eu bati o dedo na quina da mesa. (I hit my finger on the corner of the table.)
• Ela limpou o dedo com um lenço. (She cleaned her finger with a tissue.)

European Portuguese Examples

• Cortei o dedo com a faca. (I cut my finger with the knife.)
• O dedo dele está bastante inchado. (His finger is quite swollen.)
• Coloca o anel no dedo anelar. (Put the ring on the ring finger.)
• Bati com o dedo na quina da mesa. (I hit my finger on the corner of the table.)
• A unha do dedo do pé partiu-se. (The toenail broke.)