vs · BR vs PT Word Differences

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

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

Yes

The word is identical in spelling, meaning, and grammatical function in both Brazilian and Continental Portuguese. The only differences are:

• Pronunciation: In Brazil, vowels are generally more open, and the "d" is often palatalized (sounding slightly like "dj" in many regions). In Portugal, vowels are more closed or reduced, and the "d" is a strictly dental sound.
• Syntactic usage: While the word itself does not change, the demonstrative pronouns used alongside it often change (Brazilians frequently use dessa/desse while Portuguese people prefer desta/deste when referring to something just mentioned).
• Synonyms: In certain social contexts, a Portuguese person might naturally reach for synonyms like inadmissível (inadmissible) or inaceitável (unacceptable) to convey the same level of indignation.

Brazilian Portuguese Examples:

1. O que ele fez foi imperdoável. (What he did was unforgivable.)
2. É imperdoável tratar alguém dessa maneira. (It is unforgivable to treat someone that way.)
3. Esse erro é imperdoável para a empresa. (This error is unforgivable for the company.)
4. Achei o comportamento dele simplesmente imperdoável. (I found his behavior simply unforgivable.)
5. Uma traição dessas é imperdoável. (A betrayal like this is unforgivable.)

Continental Portuguese Examples:

1. O que ele fez foi imperdoável. (What he did was unforgivable.)
2. É imperdoável tratar alguém desta maneira. (It is unforgivable to treat someone this way.)
3. Este erro é inadmissível para a empresa. (This error is inadmissible for the company.)
4. Achei o comportamento dele absolutamente imperdoável. (I found his behavior absolutely unforgivable.)
5. Uma traição destas é imperdoável. (A betrayal like this is unforgivable.)