vs · BR vs PT Word Differences

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

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

No.

The difference lies in typical usage and a significant semantic divergence regarding a related word. In Brazil, sobrenome is the standard word for "surname" or "last name." In Portugal, while sobrenome is understood, the standard and much more common word used in daily life and official contexts is apelido.

This creates a famous "false friend" situation between the two dialects:

• In Brazil, an apelido is a nickname.
• In Portugal, an apelido is a surname.

Brazilian Portuguese Examples

1. Qual é o seu sobrenome? (What is your surname?)
2. Eu esqueci o sobrenome dela. (I forgot her surname.)
3. O meu sobrenome é muito comum no Brasil. (My surname is very common in Brazil.)
4. Você pode escrever seu sobrenome aqui? (Can you write your surname here?)
5. Ele tem um sobrenome de origem italiana. (He has a surname of Italian origin.)

Continental Portuguese Examples

1. Qual é o seu apelido? (What is your surname?)
2. Eu esquendo o apelido dela. (I forgot her surname.)
3. O meu apelido é muito comum em Portugal. (My surname is very common in Portugal.)
4. Pode escrever o seu apelido aqui, por favor? (Can you write your surname here, please?)
5. Ele tem um apelido de origem italiana. (He has a surname of Italian origin.)