vs · BR vs PT Word Differences

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

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

No.

While the underlying meaning of the word remains essentially the same, there is a difference in typical usage. In Brazil, "novela" is the ubiquitous, standard term used to refer to television soap operas. In Portugal, while "novela" is used and understood, the term "telenovela" is much more common in daily conversation to specifically identify the TV genre and to distinguish it from a "novela" in a literary context (a short novel). Additionally, there is a difference in the natural use of pronouns (the use of você/sua in Brazil versus tu/tua in Portugal).

Brazilian Portuguese Examples:

1. Eu adoro assistir novela antes de dormir. (I love watching soap operas before sleeping.)
2. A novela das nove é muito famosa. (The 9 PM soap opera is very famous.)
3. A atriz da novela é muito bonita. (The actress from the soap opera is very beautiful.)
4. Qual é a sua novela favorita? (What is your favorite soap opera?) ary 5. Essa novela acabou de ser cancelada. (This soap opera was just canceled.)

Continental Portuguese Examples:

1. Eu gosto muito de ver telenovelas. (I really like watching soap operas.)
2. A telenovela das nove é muito famosa. (The 9 PM soap opera is very famous.)
3. A atriz da telenovela é muito bonita. (The actress from the soap opera is very beautiful.)
4. Qual é a tua telenovela favorita? (What is your favorite soap opera?)
5. Aquela telenovela acabou de ser cancelada. (That soap opera was just canceled.)