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Is the word motor the same in Brazilian and European Portuguese?
Yes
The word "motor" is identical in meaning, spelling, and grammatical gender (masculine) in both Brazilian and Continental Portuguese. The only difference lies in pronunciation. In Brazilian Portuguese, the unstressed "o" is typically more open, and the final "r" varies by region (often retroflex or a soft tap). In Continental Portuguese, unstressed vowels are much more closed; therefore, the "o" in "motor" is pronounced much closer to a "u" [mu'toɾ].
Brazilian Portuguese Examples
- O motor do meu carro parou de funcionar. (The engine of my car stopped working.)
- Eu preciso trocar o óleo do motor. (I need to change the engine oil.)
- O motor está fazendo um barulho estranho. (The engine is making a strange noise.)
- Esse motor é muito econômico. (This engine is very fuel-efficient.)
- O mecânico está revisando o motor. (The mechanic is inspecting the engine.)
Continental Portuguese Examples
- O motor do meu carro avariou. (The engine of my car broke down/malfunctioned.)
- Tenho de mudar o óleo do motor. (I have to change the engine oil.)
- O motor está a fazer um ruído estranho. (The engine is making a strange noise.)
- Este motor é muito económico. (This engine is very economical.)
- O mecânico está a rever o motor. (The mechanic is inspecting the engine.)
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· BR vs PT Word Differences