vs · BR vs PT Word Differences

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

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

Yes

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

• Vowel Reduction: In Brazilian Portuguese, unstressed vowels are often more "open" or reduced to a schwa-like sound (for example, the "e" in "de" often sounds like "dji"). In Continental Portuguese, vowels are much more closed, clipped, and subtle.
• The "R" Sound: The pronunciation of the final "r" varies significantly. In many Brazilian dialects, it is aspirated (like an "h") or retroflex (like the American English "r"), whereas in Portugal, it is typically a more distinct, dental, or tapped sound.

Brazilian Portuguese Examples

1. Você precisa moderar o consumo de café. (You need to moderate your coffee consumption.)
2. É bom moderar o uso do celular à noite. (It is good to moderate the use of your cell phone at night.)
3. O administrador deve moderar o grupo de Facebook. (The administrator must moderate the Facebook group.)
4. Tente moderar sua voz no cinema. (Try to moderate your voice in the cinema.)
5. Precisamos moderar nossos gastos mensais. (We need to moderate our monthly expenses.)

Continental Portuguese Examples

1. Tu precisas de moderar o consumo de café. (You need to moderate your coffee consumption. — Note the use of "tu" and the preposition "de".)
2. É bom moderar o uso do telemóvel à noite. (It is good to moderate the use of your mobile phone at night. — Note the use of "telemóvel" instead of "celular".)
3. O administrador deve moderar o grupo de Facebook. (The administrator must moderate the Facebook group. — Identical usage.)
4. Tenta moderar a tua voz no cinema. (Try to moderate your voice in the cinema. — Note the use of the "tu" imperative and possessive "tua".)
5. Precisamos de moderar os nossos gastos mensais. (We need to moderate our monthly expenses. — Note the addition of the article "os" before the possessive.)