← Back to searchWord Index →

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

No.

While the fundamental meaning of "terraço" (a flat, elevated area) is the same in both dialects, there is a difference in typical usage. In Brazil, "terraço" is the standard term for a rooftop or a large, upper-level terrace (for example, a "rooftop bar"). In Portugal, while "terraço" is used for rooftops, the word "esplanada" is much more common and natural when referring to the outdoor seating area of a cafe, restaurant, or bar. Additionally, there is a difference in pronunciation: Brazilian Portuguese uses more open vowels, whereas Continental Portuguese uses more closed or reduced vowels.

Brazilian Portuguese

  1. Vamos tomar um drink no terraço? (Let's have a drink on the rooftop?)
  2. O terraço do hotel é maravilhoso. (The hotel's terrace is wonderful.)
  3. Fizemos um jantar no terraço. (We had a dinner on the terrace.)
  4. O terraço está muito movimentado hoje. (The terrace is very busy today.)
  5. Adoro ver as luzes da cidade do terraço. (I love watching the city lights from the terrace.)

Portuguese (Portugal)

  1. Vamos tomar um café na esplanada? (Let's have a coffee on the outdoor seating?)
  2. A esplanada do hotel é maravilhosa. (The hotel's outdoor area is wonderful.)
  3. Fizemos um jantar na esplanada. (We had a dinner on the outdoor seating.)
  4. A esplanada está muito cheia hoje. (The outdoor seating is very full today.)
  5. Adoro ver as luzes da cidade a partir da esplanada. (I love watching the city lights from the outdoor seating.)