← Back to searchWord Index →

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

No

While the fundamental dictionary definitions of "pista" (clue, runway, track, or dance floor) are identical in both dialects, there is a difference in typical usage. In Brazilian Portuguese, "pista" is commonly used as slang to refer to the nightlife, the "street scene," or the act of being out and about (e.g., "estar na pista"). In Continental Portuguese, this idiomatic usage is not standard; a Portuguese person would typically use "na rua" (on the street) or "na noite" (in the nightlife) to express the same idea.

Brazilian Portuguese Usage

  1. A polícia encontrou uma pista importante no crime. (The police found an important clue in the crime.)
  2. O avião vai pousar na pista em cinco minutos. (The plane is going to land on the runway in five minutes.)
  3. A pista de dança estava lotada ontem à noite. (The dance floor was crowded last night.)
  4. Ele corre todos os dias na pista de atletismo. (He runs every day on the track.)
  5. Ela não para em casa, vive sempre na pista. (She doesn't stay at home, she is always out partying/on the streets.)

Continental Portuguese Usage

  1. A polícia encontrou uma pista importante no crime. (The police found an important clue in the crime.)
  2. O avião vai aterrar na pista em cinco minutos. (The plane is going to land on the runway in five minutes.)
  3. A pista de dança estava muito cheia ontem à noite. (The dance floor was very crowded last night.)
  4. Ele corre todos os dias na pista de atletismo. (He runs every day on the track.)
  5. Ela não para em casa, está sempre na rua. (She doesn't stay at home, she is always out/on the streets.)