vs · BR vs PT Word Differences

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

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

No

While the fundamental dictionary definition of "retirar" is the same in both dialects, the typical usage differs. In Brazilian Portuguese, "retirar" is commonly used in everyday conversation to mean "to pick up" (e.g., an order, a package, or a person). In Portugal, while "retirar" is used for formal actions like withdrawing money, a person would more naturally use "levantar" or "ir buscar" for the daily task of picking something up.

Brazilian Portuguese Examples

1. Vou retirar meu pedido no restaurante. (I'm going to pick up my order at the restaurant.)
2. Ele precisa retirar o dinheiro no caixa eletrônico. (He needs to withdraw money from the ATM.)
3. Você deve retirar a mancha imediatamente. (You should remove the stain immediately.)
4. O médico vai retirar os pontos hoje. (The doctor will remove the stitches today.)
5. Vou retirar o carro da oficina mais tarde. (I'm going to pick up the car from the mechanic later.)

Continental Portuguese Examples

1. Vou levantar o meu pedido no restaurante. (I'm going to pick up my order at the restaurant.)
2. Ele precisa levantar o dinheiro no multibanco. (He needs to withdraw money from the ATM.)
3. Deves tirar a mancha imediatamente. (You should remove the stain immediately.)
4. O médico vai tirar os pontos hoje. (The doctor will remove the stitches today.)
5. Vou buscar o carro à oficina mais tarde. (I'm going to pick up the car from the mechanic later.)