vs · BR vs PT Word Differences

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

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

No.

While the meaning and spelling of the word are identical, there are differences in grammar (syntax) and pronunciation. In Brazil, it is natural to use proclisis (placing the reflexive pronoun before the verb, e.g., "se interessou"), whereas in Portugal, enclisis (placing the pronoun after the verb, e.g., "interessou-se") is the standard and natural usage. Additionally, the pronunciation of unstressed vowels is much more reduced (often almost silent) in Continental Portuguese compared to Brazilian Portuguese.

Brazilian Portuguese Examples

• Eu não me interessei por esse filme. (I wasn''t interested in this movie.)
• Isso não vai te interessar. (That won't interest you.)
• Ele se interessa muito por música. (He is very interested in music.)
• O que você se interessa em aprender? (What are you interested in learning?)
• A gente não se interessou pela proposta. (We weren't interested in the proposal.)

Continental Portuguese Examples

• Não me interessei por esse filme. (I wasn't interested in this movie.)
• Isso não te interessará. (That will not interest you.)
• Ele interessou-se muito por música. (He became very interested in music.)
• O que te interessa aprender? (What interests you to learn?)
• Nós não nos interessámos pela proposta. (We were not interested in the proposal.)