Portuguese in Brasil

[El Peregrino]

hi,
I always hear that Brazil is mainly a Portuguese spoken people. Is this true? Cause I only speak spanish and I need to know how much Portuguese I need to learn! Does everybody speak both?

thnx much!


pura vida
dj

[sandy01]

Peregrino

Portuguese is the only lnaguage in Brasil. Spanish is spoken in the rest of the Latin American countries. Anyway, both languages are very similar and if you speak good Spanish they will be able to understand you in Brasil, but of course there are many things that are different, so you´ll better start learning some Portuguese too.
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[Ginirover]

In Brasil, people speak Portugese. Period.
Near the borders, you might find some people who speak Spanish, but the vast majority of the people only speak their language (pretty much like Americans only speak English ).

So you might have to pick up some Portugese; it's not that difficult if you already speak Spanish

*edit* writing at the same moment as Sandy ....

[sandy01]

Yes! At least we both gave him the same advice!
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[casabeleza]

Ola!

You will be surprised when you arrive how different spoken Spanish and portuguese are and it would be good to get some basics of portuguese before you come here. Many people can understand to read portuguese but the regional accents across Brazil can be a challenge.

If you are planning to come here for a few weeks I think it is worth finding a private teacher for a few hours of lessons one on one to get the basics down. Organised courses are longer and very expensive - but you can find a good teacher for about 40 Reais per hour (20 USD)

Boa Sorte!

Carioca Mum

[igitaround]

Except for some indigenous tribes, everyone will speak Portuguese. The Portuguese is more difficult to understand than the European Portuguese. I can understand continental Portuguese, but it's harder to understand the Brazilian.

Remember that "r" sounds like "h". Portuguese is more nasal.

You will be able to intercommunicate to a degree with Spanish, but Brazilians spend more time learning English than Spanish.
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[Chimu]

If you speak very slowly and ask them to speak very slowly to you you should find that alot of the basic words are similar. Also the written language is very similar so viewing street signs shouldnt be too much of a problem.

Hope this helps

[Mejores Playas]

If you understand Spanish, you will have almost no problem in Brasil in understanding people, and I say almost, because all depend in the the part of Brasil that you are...in the north part, like the Bahia Playas, they speak very difficult, but in the south, florianopolis playa and around, they speak almost as in spanish...
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[cuzcoresident]

Everyone speaks Portuguese, not Spanish, but they DO understand Spanish. So your Spanish will be understood, but you'll have no idea what they are saying in reply. If it's important, ask them to write it down. Written Port. is VERY similar to written Sp. It's easy to learn Portuguese if you really speak Spanish - concentrate on the listening, it's the hardest part. Don't be put off by not speaking Portuguese - the Brazilians are the friendliest people on earth!

[Fezinha***]

[francesco]

speak your spanish... tehy speak portuguese but it not that dificult to undersatand. Also body languague works really well!!!

see you!