vs · BR vs PT Word Differences

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

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

Yes.

The difference between the two variants is purely phonetic. In Brazilian Portuguese, the vowels are generally more "open" and clearly articulated, and the "s" sounds are typically pronounced as a soft [s]. In Continental Portuguese, there is a significant amount of vowel reduction; the unstressed "e" at the beginning of the word is often swallowed or reduced to a nearly silent sound (a schwa-like /ɨ/). Additionally, the "s" in "especialista" in Portugal is frequently pronounced as a "sh" sound ([ʃ]) because it precedes a consonant, a feature much more prominent in European Portuguese than in most Brazilian dialects.

Brazilian Portuguese Examples

1. Ele é um especialista em Direito Civil. (He is a specialist in Civil Law.)
2. A gente precisa de um especialista em TI. (We need an IT specialist.)
3. Ela é uma especialista fera nesse assunto. (She is a real expert on this subject.)
4. O especialista explicou tudo direitinho para nós. (The specialist explained everything very well to us.)
5. Procure um especialista de confiança. (Look for a trusted specialist.)

Portuguese Examples

1. Ele é especialista em Direito Civil. (He is a specialist in Civil Law.)
2. Precisamos de um especialista em informática. (We need a specialist in computing.)
3. Ela é uma especialista nesta área. (She is a specialist in this area.)
4. O especialista deu o seu parecer sobre o caso. (The specialist gave his expert opinion on the case.)
5. É necessário consultar um especialista. (It is necessary to consult a specialist.)