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

No

The difference between "saltar" in Brazilian Portuguese and Continental Portuguese is primarily one of typical usage and frequency, rather than meaning or spelling.

In Brazilian Portuguese, the verb pular is the standard, everyday word for the physical action of jumping (e.g., jumping over a puddle or jumping on a bed). While "saltar" is used, it is much more specific; Brazilians typically use "saltar" when referring to "skipping" or "omitting" something (like a meal or a step in a process), or in formal/athletic contexts (like "high jump").

In Continental Portuguese, saltar is the ubiquitous, standard verb for all these actions. A Portuguese person uses "saltar" for the physical act of jumping, for skipping a meal, and for athletic leaps. "Pular" is much less common in Portugal.

Brazilian Portuguese (using "saltar" in its natural Brazilian context)

  1. Não vou saltar o jantar hoje. (I am not going to skip dinner today.)
  2. Ele saltou a parte mais difícil do livro. (He skipped the most difficult part of the book.)
  3. O atleta vai saltar o fosso. (The athlete is going to jump the pit.)
  4. Não podemos saltar esta etapa do projeto. (We cannot skip this stage of the project.)
  5. O gato saltou para o sofá. (The cat jumped onto the sofa.)

Continental Portuguese (expressing the same ideas naturally)

  1. Não podes saltar o pequeno-almoço. (You cannot skip breakfast.)
  2. Ele saltou a parte mais difícil do livro. (He skipped the most difficult part of the book.)
  3. O atleta vai saltar o fosso. (The athlete is going to jump the pit.)
  4. Não podemos saltar esta fase do projeto. (We cannot skip this phase of the project.)
  5. O gato saltou para o sofá. (The cat jumped onto the sofa.)