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Is the word salgado the same in Brazilian and European Portuguese?
No
The word "salgado" has a significant difference in usage between Brazilian and Continental Portuguese:
- Meaning/Usage (Noun): In Brazil, "salgado" is commonly used as a noun to refer to a category of savory snacks (such as coxinha, empada, or pão de queijo). In Portugal, "salgado" is almost exclusively an adjective meaning "salty." A Portuguese person would refer to these snacks as petiscos or aperitivos.
- Meaning/Usage (Slang): In Brazil, "salgado" is frequently used as slang to describe something very expensive (e.g., "O preço está salgado"). While a Portuguese person would understand the metaphor, it is much more natural for them to use the word caro.
- Pronunciation: While the spelling is identical, the pronunciation differs. In Continental Portuguese, the unstressed vowels (like the 'o' at the end of the word) are much more closed and reduced, often sounding almost like a "u," whereas in Brazil, the vowels are more open and clearly articulated.
Brazilian Portuguese (PT-BR)
- Eu comprei um salgado na padaria para o lanche. (I bought a savory snack at the bakery for my snack.)
- Este peixe está muito salgado. (This fish is very salty.)
- Eu prefiro comer salgado do que doce. (I prefer to eat savory rather than sweet.)
- O preço da gasolina está muito salgado ultimamente. (The price of gasoline has been very expensive lately.)
- O gosto da água do mar é salgado. (The taste of the seawater is salty.)
Continental Portuguese (PT-PT)
- Eu comprei um petisco na pastelaria para o lanche. (I bought a snack at the pastry shop for my snack.)
- Este peixe está muito salgado. (This fish is very salty.)
- Eu prefere comer salgado do que doce. (I prefer to eat salty rather than sweet.)
- O preço da gasolina está muito caro ultimamente. (The price of gasoline is very expensive lately.)
- O gosto da água do mar é salgado. (The taste of the seawater is salty.)
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· BR vs PT Word Differences