vs · BR vs PT Word Differences

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

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

No.

While the spelling and the fundamental meaning of the word are identical in both dialects, there are significant differences in pronunciation and grammatical usage (syntax).

• Pronunciation: In Brazilian Portuguese, the vowels are generally more open and the nasalized "em" at the end is pronounced clearly. In Continental Portuguese, vowels are much more "reduced" or "closed"; a Portuguese speaker may almost swallow the unstressed vowels, making the word sound shorter and more clipped.
• Grammatical Usage (Syntax): The main difference lies in how the verb interacts with object pronouns (clitics). In Brazil, it is natural and standard to use proclisis (placing the pronoun before the verb), such as "me surpreendem." In Portugal, the standard is enclisis (placing the pronoun after the verb), such as "surpreendem-me," unless a "trigger" word (like a negation or a relative pronoun) forces the pronoun to move to the front.

Brazilian Portuguese Examples

1. As notícias me surpreendem sempre. (The news always surprise me.)
2. Os resultados dessa prova me surpreendem muito. (The results of this test surprise me a lot.)
3. As cores desse jardim me surpreendem. (The colors of this garden surprise me.)
4. Os novos preços me surpreendem. (The new prices surprise me.)
5. As pessoas me surpreendem com sua gentileza. (People surprise me with their kindness.)

Continental Portuguese Examples

1. As notícias surpreendem-me imenso. (The news surprise me immensely.)
2. Os resultados deste exame surpreendem-me. (The results of this exam surprise me.)
3. As cores desta pintura surpreendem-me. (The colors of this painting surprise me.)
4. Os novos preços surpreendem-me bastante. (The new prices surprise me quite a lot.)
5. As novidades surpreendem-me. (The new developments surprise me.)