← Back to searchWord Index →
Is the word importância the same in Brazilian and European Portuguese?
Yes
The word "importância" is identical in meaning, spelling, and grammar in both Brazilian and Continental Portuguese. The only difference lies in pronunciation. In Brazilian Portuguese, the vowels are generally more open and the syllables are more clearly articulated, with a distinct nasalization in the "an" syllable. In Continental Portuguese, vowels—especially unstressed ones—tend to be more closed or even "swallowed," resulting in a more rhythmic, consonant-heavy sound.
Brazilian Portuguese Examples
- Não dê tanta importância para o que ele disse. (Don't give so much importance to what he said.)
- A importância de beber água é muito grande. (The importance of drinking water is very great.)
- Ele não dá importância nenhuma para os problemas. (He gives no importance at all to problems.)
- É de extrema importância que você estude mais. (It is of extreme importance that you study more.)
- A importância da educação na nossa vida é enorme. (The importance of education in our lives is huge.)
Continental Portuguese Examples
- Não dês tanta importância ao que ele disse. (Don't give so much importance to what he said. — Uses "tu" conjugation and the preposition "a" instead of "para".)
- A importância de beber água é muito grande. (The importance of drinking water is very great.)
- Ele não dá importância aos avisos. (He doesn't give importance to the warnings. — Uses the contraction "aos".)
- É de suma importância que estudes. (It is of utmost importance that you study. — Uses "suma" and the "tu" subjunctive form.)
- Este assunto tem muita relevância. (This subject has much relevance. — Uses "relevância" as a natural alternative.)
vs
· BR vs PT Word Differences