Learning Portuguese can be a fascinating challenge, but it is also full of pitfalls for non-native speakers. Despite its similarities to Spanish, Portuguese has unique peculiarities that can confuse learners. In this article, we show you the 3 most common mistakes made when learning Portuguese and how to overcome them quickly.
From vocabulary confusion to correct pronunciation and proper use of verb tenses, find out how to improve your fluency and avoid the most common mistakes.
Start your path to mastery of Portuguese today!
Portuguese is a language that is gaining popularity globally due to its cultural and economic relevance. According to Unesco, there are more than 260 million people in the world who speak this language, most of them in Brazil, Portugal and African nations.
For many people, Spanish speakers have an advantage in learning Portuguese as opposed to other speakers because of the similarities in some words, however, this statement is not accurate. In fact, what may seem to be an advantage also generates frequent mistakes when learning Portuguese.
These mistakes can slow down learning progress and hinder communication. Below, we analyze the 3 most common mistakes when learning Portuguese and offer practical solutions to overcome them and learn the language more effectively.
1. Confusion of vocabulary: the most common false friends
One of the biggest challenges when learning Portuguese is vocabulary confusion, especially due to false friends. These are words that are spelled or sound similar in Spanish and Portuguese, but whose meaning is different.
Examples of false friends between Spanish and Portuguese:
- Embarazada (Spanish) vs. Embaraçada (Portuguese): In Spanish, “embarazada” means that a woman is expecting a baby, while in Portuguese, “embaraçada” refers to being confused or embarrassed.
- Pasta (Spanish) vs. Pasta (Portuguese): In Spanish, “pasta” is a food, but in Portuguese it means “folder” or “file”.
- Assistir (Spanish) vs. Assistir (Portuguese): In Spanish, “asistir” implies being present, while in Portuguese it means “to see”, as in “assistir a uma novela” (to watch a soap opera).
Tips to avoid vocabulary errors:
- Create a list of false friends: Identify common words that can cause confusion and review them regularly.
- Use a reliable bilingual dictionary: This helps confirm meanings before using new words.
- Contextualize words: Learn words within complete sentences to understand their correct usage.
Avoiding these mistakes is key to achieving fluent communication without misunderstandings, and represents an important step in mastering Portuguese.
2. Incorrect pronunciation: the challenge of nasal sounds.
Pronunciation in Portuguese is another major obstacle for Spanish-speaking students. Although both languages share similar sounds, Portuguese has unique characteristics that can be difficult to master.
Common pronunciation errors:
- Lack of nasalization:
In Portuguese, some vowels are nasal, which means that air passes through the nose when pronouncing them. This feature does not exist in Spanish, which leads to confusion in words such as:- Mão (hand) vs. Mao (bad).
- Bom (good) vs. Bão (well).
- Diphthongs and combined vowel sounds:
Students tend to simplify or substitute diphthongs and double consonants, as in saying “escolar” instead of “escola”, or incorrectly pronounce the final “s”, as in “muito” (a lot). - Errors in intonation:
Intonation in Portuguese can be more melodious than in Spanish, and not adapting to this rhythm can hinder comprehension.
Strategies to improve pronunciation:
- Practice with native speakers: Speaking regularly with native speakers will help you adjust your ears and mouth to the correct sounds.
- Use audio tools: Listen to podcasts, songs or series in Portuguese to familiarize yourself with the pronunciation.
- Record your voice: Comparing your pronunciation with that of a native speaker will help you identify and correct mistakes.
Mastering pronunciation not only improves oral communication, but also contributes to greater confidence in speaking.
3. Incorrect use of verb tenses: the challenge of the subjunctive.
The Portuguese verb system is rich in tenses and conjugations, which can confuse students, even those who are already proficient in other languages.
Common errors in verb tenses:
- Misuse of the subjunctive:
The subjunctive, used to express desires, doubts or hypotheses, is a complicated terrain for many. For example:- Se eu fosse você (If I were you) uses “fosse” in the subjunctive, but some students confuse it with the indicative and say “foi”, which is incorrect.
- Compound times:
In Portuguese, compound tenses have different nuances than in English. Phrases such as “Tenho falado” (I have spoken) are common, but their misuse can change the meaning. - Errors in irregular verbs:
Verbs such as “ser”, “estar” or “ir” have specific conjugations that do not always match those of Spanish, leading to frequent errors.
Recommendations for mastering verb tenses:
- Study conjugations thoroughly: Spend time memorizing and practicing the most common conjugations.
- Practice with specific exercises: Use apps or grammar books to focus on the verb tenses that are most difficult for you.
- Expose your learning to real use: Read books, listen to podcasts and talk to native speakers to internalize verb tenses in everyday contexts.
Mastering verb tenses takes time, but it is essential for effective and natural communication in Portuguese.
Overcome the 3 most common mistakes when learning Portuguese
Learning Portuguese is an exciting and arduous challenge, but full of rewards, opening you to a new culture, a new world of opportunities. To overcome the most common obstacles, it is essential to dedicate time to practice and study consciously, relying on resources such as classes, learning materials and conversations with native speakers.
With patience and perseverance, you will master Portuguese and enjoy the benefits of speaking this beautiful language.
