vs · BR vs PT Word Differences

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

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

No

The difference between the two variants lies in the semantic range (the scope of meaning) of the word. In Continental Portuguese, the verb participar (and its past participle participado) is frequently used with the meaning "to notify," "to announce," or "to report" (e.g., participar um falecimento). In Brazilian Portuguese, this usage is extremely rare in natural, everyday speech; Brazilians almost exclusively use verbs like avisar or comunidado for these contexts. While both variants use participado to mean "having taken part in something," the word in Portugal carries an additional layer of meaning that does not exist in Brazil.

Brazilian Portuguese (using "avisar" or "comunicar" to express the idea of notifying):

• Ele já tinha avisado a todos. (He had already notified everyone.)
• A notícia foi comunicada à família. (The news was communicated to the family.)
• Nós avisamos o diretor sobre o ocorrido. (We notified the director about the occurrence.)
• Ela avisou que a reunião mudou. (She announced that the meeting changed.)
• O erro foi comunicado à equipe. (The error was communicated to the team.)

Continental Portuguese (using "participado" to express the same idea):

• O falecimento foi participado à família. (The death was announced to the family.)
• A decisão foi participada aos sócios. (The decision was communicated to the partners.)
• O ocorrido foi participado às autoridades. (The occurrence was reported to the authorities.)
• A nova norma foi participada a todos. (The new rule was notified to everyone.)
• O sucesso foi participado a todos os membros. (The success was communicated to all members.)