vs · BR vs PT Word Differences

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

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

No

While the word "escrevendo" has the same meaning and spelling in both dialects, there is a significant difference in typical usage and pronunciation:

• Usage (Grammar): In Brazilian Portuguese, the gerund (escrevendo) is the standard way to express an ongoing action (the progressive aspect). In Continental Portuguese, the preferred and most natural way to express a continuous action is by using the preposition a + the invariable infinitive (a escrever). While a Portuguese person might use the gerund in specific literary contexts, it is much less common in daily speech for ongoing tasks.
• Pronunciation: In Brazilian Portuguese, vowels tend to be more open and clearly articulated. In Continental Portuguese, vowels are often "reduced" or swallowed, making the unstressed syllables in "escrevendo" sound much shorter and more closed than they would in Brazil.

Brazilian Portuguese Examples

1. Eu estou escrevendo um e-mail agora. (I am writing an email right now.)
2. Ela passou a tarde escrevendo no diário. (She spent the afternoon writing in her diary.)
3. O que você está escrevendo nesse caderno? (What are you writing in that notebook?)
4. Eles estão escrevendo um livro sobre a Amazônia. (They are writing a book about the Amazon.)
5. Nós estamos escrevendo uma mensagem para você. (We are writing a message to you.)

Continental Portuguese Examples

1. Eu estou a escrever um e-mail agora. (I am writing an email right now.)
2. Ela passou a tarde a escrever no diário. (She spent the afternoon writing in her diary.)
3. O que estás a escrever nesse caderno? (What are you writing in that notebook?)
4. Eles estão a escrever um livro sobre a Amazónia. (They are writing a book about the Amazon.)
5. Nós estamos a escrever uma mensagem para ti. (We are writing a message to you.)