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Is the word prefiram the same in Brazilian and European Portuguese?
Yes
The spelling, meaning, and grammatical function of "prefiram" are identical in both Brazilian and Continental Portuguese. The only difference is in pronunciation. In Brazilian Portuguese, the "e" in the first syllable is an audible, mid-vowel (/e/). In Continental Portuguese, unstressed vowels are frequently "reduced" or "deleted," so the "e" becomes a near-close central unrounded vowel (/ɨ/), making the word sound more like prifiram.
Brazilian Portuguese Examples
- Espero que eles prefiram a pizza. (I hope they prefer the pizza.)
- Caso prefiram, podemos ir de ônibus. (If you [all] prefer, we can go by bus.) Note: In Brazil, "ônibus" is the standard term for bus.
- Não quero que prefiram o frio. (I don't want them to prefer the cold.)
- É importante que prefiram a verdade. (It is important that they prefer the truth.)
- Peço que prefiram o suco de laranja. (I ask that you [all] prefer orange juice.) Note: In Brazil, "suco" is the standard term for juice.
Portuguese (Continental) Examples
- Espero que eles prefiram a pizza. (I hope they prefer the pizza.)
- Caso prefiram, podemos ir de autocarro. (If you [all] prefer, we can go by bus.) Note: In Portugal, "autocarro" is the standard term for bus.
- Não quero que prefiram o frio. (I don't want them to prefer the cold.)
- É importante que prefiram a verdade. (It is important that they prefer the truth.)
- Peço que prefiram o sumo de laranja. (I ask that you [all] prefer orange juice.) Note: In Portugal, "sumo" is the standard term for juice.
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· BR vs PT Word Differences