vs · BR vs PT Word Differences

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

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

No.

The difference between the two variants lies in the spelling and pronunciation.

• Spelling: In Brazilian Portuguese, the word is spelled gênero with a circumflex accent, which indicates a closed "e" sound ([e]). In Continental Portuguese, the word is spelled género with an acute accent, which indicates an open "e" sound ([ɛ]).
• Pronunciation: Because of the different accents, a Brazilian speaker will pronounce the first syllable with a closed, more nasal-tending vowel, whereas a Portuguese speaker will pronounce it with a more open, clearer vowel.
• Usage: While the primary meanings (gender, genre, type) are identical, a Portuguese person often uses "género de" as a conversational filler or to mean "sort of," whereas a Brazilian is more likely to use "tipo de" for that specific nuance.

Brazilian Portuguese Examples

1. Qual é o seu gênero musical favorito? (What is your favorite music genre?)
2. Este livro pertence ao gênero de ficção científica. (This book belongs to the science fiction genre.)
3. Precisamos definir o gênero do substantivo. (We need to define the gender of the noun.)
4. Não gosto desse gênero de conversa. (I don't like that kind of conversation.)
5. O filme é de um gênero bem específico. (The movie is of a very specific genre.)

Continental Portuguese Examples

1. Qual é o teu género musical favorito? (What is your favorite music genre?)
2. Este livro pertence ao género de ficção científica. (This book belongs to the science fiction genre.)
3. Precisamos de definir o género do substantivo. (We need to define the gender of the noun.)
4. Não gosto deste género de conversa. (I don't like this kind of conversation.)
5. O filme é de um género bastante específico. (The movie is of a quite specific genre.)