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Is the word tira the same in Brazilian and European Portuguese?
No.
While the core dictionary definitions of "tira" (as a form of the verb tirar or as a noun meaning a strip/sliver) are consistent, there are significant differences in typical usage and pronunciation:
- Typical Usage (Slang): In Brazil, "tira" is a very common, informal slang term for a police officer. In Portugal, this usage is rare and can sound dated or like an Americanized influence; a Portuguese person would almost always use "polícia."
- Typical Usage (Collocations): Brazilians frequently use the expression "tirar uma dúvida" (to clear up a doubt). While understandable in Portugal, a native speaker is much more likely to use "esclarecer uma dúvida" (to clarify a doubt).
- Pronunciation: In many Brazilian dialects (such as in Rio de Janeiro or São Paulo), the "t" in "tira" is palatalized, sounding like "tch" ([tʃ]). In Continental Portuguese, the "t" remains a crisp, dental sound ([t]).
Brazilian Portuguese Examples
- Tira esse casaco, está muito calor. (Take off this jacket, it is very hot.)
- O tira me parou na blitz para uma revista. (The cop stopped me at the checkpoint for a search.)
- Ele pegou uma tira de papel para anotar o número. (He took a strip of paper to write down the number.)
- Eu preciso tirar uma dúvida com o professor. (I need to clear up a doubt with the professor.)
- Tira o pé de cima da mesa! (Take your foot off the table!)
Portuguese Examples
- Tira esse casaco, está muito calor. (Take off this jacket, it is very hot.)
- O polícia parou-me na blitz para uma revista. (The policeman stopped me at the checkpoint for a search.)
- Ele pegou uma fita de papel para anotar o número. (He took a strip of paper to write down the number.)
- Eu preciso esclarecer uma dúvida com o professor. (I need to clarify a doubt with the professor.)
- Tira o pé de cima da mesa! (Take your foot off the table!)