vs · BR vs PT Word Differences

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

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

No.

While the word fomos is identical in spelling and basic meaning (it is the first-person plural preterite of both the verbs ser — to be — and ir — to go), there are differences in typical usage and pronunciation.

• Usage (Prepositions): In Brazil, when using the verb ir (and thus fomos), it is extremely common in colloquial speech to use the preposition em (e.g., fomos no...). In Portugal, the standard and natural usage is to use the preposition a (e.g., fomos ao...).
• Usage (Interjection): In Brazil, "Fomos!" is often used as an informal interjection to signal that a group is ready to leave or that a task is completed (similar to "We're off!" or "Let's do it!"). In Portugal, a person would more naturally use "Vamos!" or "Bora!" to express this.
• Pronunciation: In Brazilian Portuguese, the "s" at the end of the syllable is typically pronounced as a sibilant /s/. In Continental Portuguese, this "s" is often pronounced as a "sh" sound /ʃ/.
• Lexicon: The words that naturally follow "fomos" often differ due to regional vocabulary (e.g., ônibus in Brazil vs. autocarro in Portugal).

Brazilian Portuguese Examples

1. Fomos no shopping. (We went to the mall.)
2. Fomos no ônibus. (We went on the bus.)
3. Fomos na festa de ontem. (We went to the party yesterday.)
4. Fomos no cinema assistir a um filme. (We went to the movies to watch a film.)
5. Fomos! (Let's go! / We're off!)

Continental Portuguese Examples

1. Fomos ao centro comercial. (We went to the shopping center.)
2. Fomos de autocarro. (We went by bus.)
3. Fomos à festa de ontem. (We went to the party yesterday.)
4. Fomos ao cinema assistir a um filme. (We went to the movies to watch a film.)
5. Vamos! (Let's go!)