vs · BR vs PT Word Differences

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

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

No.

While both dialects use "pente" to refer to a hair comb, there is a difference in typical usage and pronunciation. In Brazil, "pente" is commonly used to refer to a firearm magazine, whereas in Portugal, the word "carregador" is the standard term for that purpose. Additionally, the pronunciation differs: in many regions of Brazil, the "te" at the end of the word is palatalized (sounding like "tchi" [ˈpẽtʃi]), while in Portugal, the final "e" is nearly silent or reduced to a very short, closed sound ([ˈpẽt]).

Brazilian Portuguese

1. Cadê o meu pente? (Where is my comb?)
2. Vou passar o pente no cabelo antes de sair. (I'm going to run the comb through my hair before leaving.)
3. O pente da pistola está vazio. (The pistol magazine is empty.)
4. Esse pente quebrou ontem. (This comb broke yesterday.)
5. Ele usa um pente de dentes largos. (He uses a wide-toothed comb.)

Continental Portuguese

1. Onde está o meu pente? (Where is my comb?)
2. Vou passar o pente no cabelo antes de sair. (I'm going to run the comb through my hair before leaving.)
3. O carregador da pistola está vazio. (The pistol magazine is empty.)
4. Este pente partiu-se ontem. (This comb broke yesterday.)
5. Ele usa um pente de dentes largos. (He uses a wide-toothed comb.)