Is the word olhar the same in Brazilian and European Portuguese?
No
While the fundamental meaning, spelling, and dictionary definition of "olhar" are identical in both dialects, there are significant differences in typical usage and syntax.
In Brazilian Portuguese, the verb is frequently used in the gerund form (olhando) to express ongoing actions. In Continental Portuguese, the standard construction is the preposition a followed by the infinitive (a olhar). Additionally, the placement of object pronouns (clitics) associated with the verb differs, with Brazilians commonly using proclisis (pronoun before the verb) and the Portuguese preferring enclisis (pronoun after the verb) in many contexts.
Brazilian Portuguese
- Eu estava olhando para as fotos. (I was looking at the photos.)
- Dá uma olhada aqui, por favor. (Take a look here, please.)
- Ele me olhou de um jeito estranho. (He looked at me in a strange way.)
- Você viu o que ele estava olhando? (Did you see what he was looking at?)
- Estou olhando para o horizonte. (I am looking at the horizon.)
Continental Portuguese
- Eu estava a olhar para as fotografias. (I was looking at the photographs.)
- Dá uma olhadela aqui, por favor. (Take a look here, please.)
- Ele olhou-me de uma forma estranha. (He looked at me in a strange way.)
- Viste o que ele estava a olhar? (Did you see what he was looking at?)
- Estou a olhar para o horizonte. (I am looking at the horizon.)
vs
· BR vs PT Word Differences