vs · BR vs PT Word Differences

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

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

Yes

The word "memorizar" is identical in meaning, spelling, and grammatical function in both Brazilian and Continental Portuguese. The only difference lies in pronunciation.

In Brazilian Portuguese, the vowels are more open and clearly articulated. In Continental Portuguese, unstressed vowels undergo significant reduction (vowel reduction), meaning they become much shorter, "closed," or almost silent. For example, the initial "e" in "memorizar" is clearly pronounced in Brazil, whereas in Portugal, it is often reduced to a nearly silent, neutral sound (schwa), making the word sound more like m'memorizar.

Brazilian Portuguese Examples

1. Eu preciso memorizar essa lista de nomes. (I need to memorize this list of names.)
2. Ela memorizou o endereço muito rápido. (She memorized the address very quickly.)
3. É muito difícil memorizar todas essas regras. (It is very difficult to memorize all these rules.)
4. Você conseguiu memorizar o roteiro da apresentação? (Did you manage to memorize the presentation script?)
5. Ele memorizou a letra da música inteira. (He memorized the entire song lyrics.)

Continental Portuguese Examples

1. Eu decorei esta lista de nomes. (I memorized this list of names.)
2. Ela decorou o endereço num instante. (She memorized the address in an instant.)
3. É muito difícil decorar todas estas regras. (It is very difficult to memorize all these rules.)
4. Conseguiste decorar o guião da apresentação? (Did you manage to memorize the presentation script?)
5. Ele decorou a letra da música toda. (He memorized the whole song lyrics.)