vs · BR vs PT Word Differences

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

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

No

The difference between the two variants lies in usage and meaning. In Brazil, the word guitarras is primarily used to refer to electric guitars. When Brazilians want to talk about the acoustic or classical guitar, they use the word violão.

In Portugal, the word guitarras is the standard term for acoustic or classical guitars (including the traditional guitarra portuguesa). To refer to the electric instrument, a Portuguese person will typically use the more specific term guitarra elétrica to avoid confusion with the acoustic variety.

Brazilian Portuguese (using "guitarras" to refer to electric guitars):

1. As guitarras são muito barulhentas. (The guitars are very noisy.)
2. Ele gosta de tocar guitarras. (He likes to play guitars.)
3. As guitarras da banda precisam de cordas novas. (The band's guitars need new strings.)
4. Eu gosto de colecionar guitarras vintage. (I like to collect vintage guitars.)
5. As guitarras estavam afinadas para o show. (The guitars were tuned for the show.)

Portuguese (expressing the same idea by specifying "guitarras elétricas"):

1. As guitarras elétricas são muito barulhentas. (The electric guitars are very noisy.)
2. Ele gosta de tocar guitarras elétricas. (He likes to play electric guitars.)
3. As guitarras elétricas da banda precisam de cordas novas. (The band's electric guitars need new strings.)
4. Eu gosto de colecionar guitarras elétricas vintage. (I like to collect vintage electric guitars.)
5. As guitarras elétricas estavam afinadas para o concerto. (The electric guitars were tuned for the concert.)