vs · BR vs PT Word Differences

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

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

No

While the spelling and the underlying meaning of "reciclando" are the same in both dialects, there is a fundamental difference in typical usage regarding how continuous actions are expressed.

• Brazilian Portuguese (BP): Uses the gerund form (recirclando) as the standard way to express an action that is currently in progress (the present continuous).
• Continental Portuguese (EP): Uses the construction of the preposition a + the infinitive (a reciclar) to express an action in progress. While a person from Portugal would understand "reciclando," it sounds distinctly Brazilian and is not the natural way they would express a continuous action in daily conversation.

Brazilian Portuguese Examples:

1. Eu estou reciclando todo o meu plástico. (I am recycling all my plastic.)
2. Nós estamos reciclando papel no escritório. (We are recycling paper in the office.)
3. Ela está reciclando garrafas de vidro. (She is recycling glass bottles.)
4. Eles estão reciclando materiais orgânicos. (They are recycling organic materials.)
5. Você está reciclando o lixo corretamente? (Are you recycling the trash correctly?)

Continental Portuguese Examples:

1. Eu estou a reciclar todo o meu plástico. (I am recycling all my plastic.)
2. Nós estamos a reciclar papel no escritório. (We are recycling paper in the office.)
3. Ela está a reciclar garrafas de vidro. (She is recycling glass bottles.)
4. Eles estão a reciclar materiais orgânicos. (They are recycling organic materials.)
5. Estás a reciclar o lixo corretamente? (Are you recycling the trash correctly?)