← Back to searchWord Index →

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

Yes

The word "degraus" (the plural of degrau) is identical in spelling, meaning, and grammar in both Brazilian and Continental Portuguese. The only difference lies in pronunciation. Brazilian Portuguese tends to have more open, clearly articulated vowels and a more rhythmic, "musical" cadence. In contrast, Continental Portuguese features significant vowel reduction, where unstressed vowels (like the "u" in degraus) may be shortened or swallowed, resulting in a more stress-timed rhythm.

Brazilian Portuguese Examples

  1. Cuidado para não escorregar nos degraus. (Be careful not to slip on the steps.)
  2. Eu contei todos os degraus da escada. (I counted all the steps of the staircase.)
  3. Os degraus estão muito sujos hoje. (The steps are very dirty today.)
  4. Ela subiu os degraus bem devagar. (She climbed the steps very slowly.)
  5. Eles estão limpando os degraus da entrada. (They are cleaning the entrance steps.)

Continental Portuguese Examples

  1. Tem cuidado para não escorregar nos degraus. (Take care not to slip on the steps.)
  2. Contei todos os degraus da escada. (I counted all the steps of the staircase.)
  3. Os degraus estão muito sujos hoje. (The steps are very dirty today.)
  4. Ela subiu os degraus com bastante calma. (She climbed the steps quite calmly.)
  5. Eles estão a limpar os degraus da entrada. (They are cleaning the entrance steps.)