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Is the word tênis the same in Brazilian and European Portuguese?
No
The difference is not just in pronunciation, but also in spelling and typical usage. In Brazil, the word is spelled tênis (with a circumflex accent, indicating a closed "e" sound). In Portugal, the spelling is ténis (with an acute accent, indicating an open "e" sound). Furthermore, while "ténis" is used in Portugal, it is much more natural and common for a Portuguese person to use the word sapatilhas to refer to athletic footwear.
Brazilian Portuguese Usage
- Eu comprei um tênis novo para correr. (I bought new sneakers to run.)
- Seus tênis estão muito sujos. (Your sneakers are very dirty.)
- Onde você comprou esse tênis? (Where did you buy those sneakers?)
- Eu prefiro usar tênis em vez de sapato social. (I prefer to use sneakers instead of dress shoes.)
- Ele esqueceu o tênis na academia. (He forgot his sneakers at the gym.)
Continental Portuguese Usage
- Eu comprei umas sapatilhas novas para correr. (I bought new sneakers to run.)
- As tuas sapatilhas estão muito sujas. (Your sneakers are very dirty.)
- Onde é que compraste essas sapatilhas? (Where did you buy those sneakers?)
- Eu prefere usar sapatilhas em vez de sapatos. (I prefer to use sneakers instead of shoes.)
- Ele esqueceu-se das sapatilhas no ginásio. (He forgot his sneakers at the gym.)
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· BR vs PT Word Differences