vs · BR vs PT Word Differences

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

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

No.

While the word exists in both varieties, there is a difference in typical usage. In Brazil, "piso" is most commonly used to refer to the material or surface covering of a floor (such as tiles, wood, or laminate), while "chão" is the standard word for the floor of a room or the ground. In Portugal, "piso" is the standard term used to denote the level or story of a building (e.g., piso térreo), and when referring to the floor surface, a person is more likely to use "chão" or "pavimento."

Brazilian Portuguese Usage

Focusing on the floor as a surface material.

1. Eu troquei o piso da cozinha por porcelanato. (I replaced the kitchen floor with porcelain tile.)
2. O piso de madeira é muito bonito. (The wooden floor is very beautiful.)
3. Este piso laminado é fácil de limpar. (This laminate flooring is easy to clean.)
4. Cuidado, o piso está escorregadio. (Careful, the floor is slippery.)
5. Vamos instalar um novo piso na sala. (We are going to install a new floor in the living room.)

Continental Portuguese Usage

Expressing the same ideas using natural European Portuguese terms.

1. Eu troquei o chão da cozinha por cerâmica. (I replaced the kitchen floor with ceramic.)
2. O chão de madeira é muito bonito. (The wooden floor is very beautiful.)
3. Este pavimento laminado é fácil de limpar. (This laminate flooring is easy to clean.)
4. Cuidado, o chão está escorregadio. (Careful, the floor is slippery.)
5. Vamos instalar um novo chão na sala. (We are going to install a new floor in the living room.)