vs · BR vs PT Word Differences

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

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

No

While the meaning and spelling of "dizendo" are identical in both dialects, there is a significant difference in typical usage regarding how continuous actions are expressed.

In Brazilian Portuguese, the gerund (dizendo) is the standard way to express an ongoing action (the progressive aspect). In Continental Portuguese, the continuous aspect is almost always expressed using the preposition a followed by the infinitive (a dizer). While a person from Portugal would understand "dizendo," using it to describe an action happening right now sounds distinctly Brazilian and is not the natural, standard way to speak in Portugal.

Brazilian Portuguese Examples:

1. O que você está dizendo? (What are you saying?)
2. Ela está dizendo que vai chegar tarde. (She is saying that she is going to arrive late.)
3. Eu estou dizendo a verdade para você. (I am telling the truth to you.)
4. Eles estavam dizendo isso ontem. (They were saying that yesterday.)
5. Você está dizendo bobagem. (You are talking nonsense.)

Continental Portuguese Examples:

1. O que é que estás a dizer? (What are you saying?)
2. Ela está a dizer que vai chegar tarde. (She is saying that she is going to arrive late.)
3. Estou a dizer-te a verdade. (I am telling you the truth.)
4. Eles estavam a dizer isso ontem. (They were saying that yesterday.)
5. Estás a dizer asneiras. (You are talking nonsense.)