vs · BR vs PT Word Differences

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

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

Yes.

The word "estivesse" is identical in spelling, meaning, and grammatical function in both Brazilian and European Portuguese; it is the imperfect subjunctive of the verb estar. The only difference is pronunciation. In Brazil, vowels are typically more open and clearly articulated. In Portugal, unstressed vowels are often reduced or "swallowed," making the word sound more clipped or closed.

Brazilian Portuguese Examples:

1. Se eu estivesse rico, eu comprava um carro novo. (If I were rich, I would buy a new car.)
2. Se ele estivesse aqui, seria muito legal. (If he were here, it would be very cool.)
3. Eu queria que o tempo estivesse bom hoje. (I wanted the weather to be good today.)
4. Se a comida não estivesse pronta, a gente ia pedir uma pizza. (If the food weren't ready, we were going to order a pizza.)
5. Caso ele não estivesse trabalhando, ele viria à festa. (If he weren't working, he would come to the party.)

European Portuguese Examples:

1. Se eu estivesse rico, compraria um automóvel novo. (If I were rich, I would buy a new car.)
2. Se ele estivesse aqui, seria muito giro. (If he were here, it would be very nice/cool.)
3. Eu queria que o tempo estivesse bom hoje. (I wanted the weather to be good today.)
4. Se a comida não estivesse pronta, iríamos pedir uma pizza. (If the food weren't ready, we would order a pizza.)
5. Caso ele não estivesse a trabalhar, ele viria à festa. (If he weren't working, he would come to the party.)