vs · BR vs PT Word Differences

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

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

No

The difference lies in typical usage and grammar. While the fundamental meaning of the word is the same, Brazilians and Portuguese people use the word "torna" in different syntactic structures. In Brazilian Portuguese, it is much more natural to use "torna" in the reflexive form with proclisis (placing the pronoun before the verb), such as "se torna" (to become). In Continental Portuguese, the standard and natural usage is enclisis (placing the pronoun after the verb), as in "torna-se." Additionally, while Brazilians rarely use "torna" as a standalone verb to mean "returns" (preferring the verb voltar), this is a much more common and natural usage in Portugal.

Brazilian Portuguese Examples

1. Ele se torna um médico excelente. (He becomes an excellent doctor.)
2. A situação se torna cada vez mais difícil. (The situation becomes increasingly difficult.) *3. Tudo se torna possível com dedicação. (Everything becomes possible with dedication.)
3. O clima se torna muito frio no inverno. (The weather becomes very cold in the winter.)
4. A vida se torna complexa com o tempo. (Life becomes complex with time.)

Portuguese Examples

1. Ele torna-se um médico excelente. (He becomes an excellent doctor.)
2. A situação torna-se cada vez mais difícil. (The situation becomes increasingly difficult.)
3. Tudo torna-se possível com dedicação. (Everything becomes possible with dedication.)
4. O clima torna-se muito frio no inverno. (The weather becomes very cold in the winter.)
5. A vida torna-se complexa com o tempo. (Life becomes complex with time.)