Pronunciation

Re: pronunciation - Message sent by Dale on Nov 15, 2010

Q. I have having difficulty understanding whether there are some underlying rules of pronunciation in Brazilian Portuguese in a couple of situations. I know some people living in Brasilia who: (1) pronounce the word "faixas" (bandages) as if there were no "i" in the word, but (2) pronounce the word "mas" (but) as if there were an "i" between the letters "a" and "s". Are these regional pronunciations? Thank you. Dale

A. It's not correct, but some people usually drop the i and say: “faxa”, “brasilero" instead of “faixa”, “brasileiro”, etc. In some words, we add i, like in “mas” (mais), “três” (treis), “dez” (deiz, etc. It's spoken language and because many people pronounce like that it's acceptable. You can find a very detailed pronunciation guide (17 pages) in my CD-ROM course. 

Re: names - Message sent by Smadar on Jul 26, 2010

Q. I am an editor for a design magazine published in Israel. I came across your website while I was looking desperately for help in pronouncing Brazilian names. I tried to work with the pronunciation guide on your site, but I know that names are sometime different. I wonder if you could help me find out how to pronounce those names in English – I would appreciate it very much! The names are: Brunno Jahara, Ulisses Morato, Rodrigo Almeida. Again, thank you for your help, Best regards,

A. It is difficult to reproduce sounds in written form. Take a look again at the pronuncaiton guide available on my website before looking at the written pronunciation. Brunno Jahara (Broo-no Ja-ha-rah) Note: Jahara is a foreign surname!, Ulisses Morato (OO-lee-ces Mo-ra-to), Rodrigo Almeida (Ho-dree-go Al-may-dah). I suggest that you look for Brazilians in Israel to pronounce and read loudly these names for you.

Re: "feijoada" - Message sent by Lyn on Mar 2, 2010

Q. How do I pronounce Feijoada? Lyn

A. It's hard to reproduce sounds in written form. Ask a Brazilian friend to pronounce it for you. I don't know how familiar you are with Portuguese, but I assume your husband can pronounce it. Fei (fay) jo (as in João) - a (ah) - da (da). Take a look at the pronunciation guide available on my website. 

Re: R sound - Message sent by Ms. J on Sep 17, 2009

Q. I started my Portuguese class two weeks ago, but find it so hard to pronounce the "r" sound. My teacher said, "Practise the flipping of your tongue and you can get it." I did a lot of practice and my throat is soared, but I still can't get it. I found this youtube video:

A. The sound on youtube is for Spanish, not for Portuguese. The R sound is similar to H sound in English. Take a look at the pronunciation guide available on my website: http://www.sonia-portuguese.com/text/pronunciation.htm#Pronunciation%20Guide. It may be helpful for you. 

Re: different regional pronunciation - Message posted by Sonia on June 16, 2009

M. If you want to listen to different regional pronunciation, click on Songs and check out my new website for kids: www.sonia-portugueseforkids.com

Re: differences in pronunciation - Message sent by Jason on Mar 6/10, 2009

Q. I have just discovered your language web site and have just begun looking at it. I have only looked at pronunciation. I see that you make a comparison between regions, that is Sao Paulo and Rio, regarding different ways of pronouncing letters. I am married to a Pernambucana from Recife, and have many friends from the south. In my experience, these are the largest differences in pronunciation, especially with the "t" ("ch"). Perhaps you explain this difference elsewhere on your web site or in your lesson book/cd. I am encouraged by your web site, as I am desperate to learn Portuguese in a location where there are no formal courses. My wife and I have fallen into English as our language (unfortunately), our daughter will be bilingual because of my wife and I do want to be able to communicate with both of them in Portuguese. I look forward to your comments on the differences between North and South Brazil. Thank you, Jason

A. Brazil is a huge country and pronunciation can vary slightly from region to region as in the US or in any other country. In spite of the differences, you should have no problems understanding different regional accents. In my grammar book you can find a detailed explanation about different regional pronunciations (page 21). If you are aware of the big differences (de/di, te/ti, r, etc.), it will be easier for you to understand different regional accents. Your wife is the reference for you now as you hear her speaking Portuguese most of the time. If you have met other Brazilian people, you may have heard other different regional accents. Don't worry about regional accents. It's important to pronounce words correctly so you will be understood when you talk. If you like a certain accent, you will pick it up easily if you live in Brazil for a while. Ask your wife to speak to you more in Portuguese.

M. Thank you so much for your personal response. I appreciate your insight. I will definitely recommend your site!

Re: "de/di/te/ti" - Message sent by Mike on Jan 12, 2009

Q. I recently came across a Brazilian Portuguese site with audio examples of phonetic differences. I know that in Brazil de = "jeh," di = "jee," te = "che," and ti = "chee."  However I know there are exceptions to the rule (i.e. têm = tehm)  On this site, though, I heard the word "inteiro" (which I have always pronounced "in-tehr-oh") pronounced "in-cher-oh."  So I'm confused now. Which is the proper way to say it? Was I just hearing a regional pronunciation?  Please let me know when you get a chance. Thanks,  Mike

Re: "de" - Message sent on Nov 27, 2008

Q. I have just started learning Brazilian Portuguese and faced a problem that "de" pronunciation depends on context of sentence. For example: Ela e amiga de meu = pronounced like "d". At the same time "De onde voce e?" = pronounced like "djee". What makes a difference? 

A. The pronunciation of "de/di/te/ti" can be a bit tricky. Depending on the region, these sounds can be hard or soft and both are correct. The soft sound doesn't always apply as in "inteiro". You can find a more detailed explanation followed by examples in my grammar book, page 21. For your information, please click on Book.

Re: "verbs ending in em/am" - Message sent by Ms. J on Dec 12, 2008

Q. I was refreshing my memory on pronunciation by going back to the pronunciation guide and I have 2 questions: For verbs that end in "em", is the stress also supposed to be put on the next to the last syllable, like verbs that end in "am"? I know this is a basic question, but, my understanding has alwways been that you do not pronounce the "m", at the end of a word. However, I have heard some people do this. Is it correct to pronounce the m or not - especially at the end of a verb? Valeu, Ms J. 

A. 1) Yes, here are some examples: eles fazem, escrevem, comem, etc. (the stress is on the second to last syllable). Remember not to close your mouth like in in English when you pronounce m in Portuguese.  2) It depends on the word. When we say "falam, compram, falaram, compraram", etc., the "am" sounds more like "ão".  Hope it's clear now.   

Re: pronunciation of letter 'e' - Message sent by Francisco on Nov 15/20, 2008

Q. I have a quick question about pronunciation. If the pronunciation of letter 'e' is like 'i (ee)' when it is at the end of a word and is unstressed, are words like "que, quase porque, se" pronounced like "qui, quasi, porqui, si"or are they pronounced the same as in Spanish with the 'e' making the 'eh' or 'ay' sound? Basically put, 'e' means 'and' in portugese and 'y' means 'and' in spanish. Are they pronounced the same? Thanks again for all of your help and for your site. Francisco

A. "Porque" is stressed at the end and it cannot be pronounced like (ee - porqui). The same applies for "que" as in "O que". "E" can also be pronounced as "ee" at the end if unstressed. Take a look at the pronunciation guide available on my website. My CD-ROM course includes a very detailed pronunciation guide (17 pages) that can help you learn and practice/improve your pronunciation. 

Q. Thanks for your help. I did write the words wrong, so that might have messed it up. How about just the word 'e' (and) with no stress or accents. This one is pronounced 'ee', becasue 'e' with the accent means 'you are/he,she is', correct? Just like 'and' in Spanish?

A. "E" (and) can be pronounced as "ee" or "ê" (as in "você"). "É" (is/are) is pronounced as é as in "café" .

Re: "Bisavo" - Message sent by David on Sept 24, 2008

Q. How do you pronounce Bisavo for Great Grandmother? Is the s pronounced like it is in English? Thanks, David

A. It's hard to reproduce a sound in written form. Take a look at the pronunciation guide available on my website. There you can find the word "avó" (O) and "casa" (S) Pronunciation: bi (as in bico),  sa (as in casa)  vó (as nó)

Re: regional accent & dialect - Message sent by Natalie on Sept 18/23, 2008

Q. I like your site a lot. I've just started to learn Portuguese. I've some questions on pronunciation. You mentioned in Introduction that there's differences between pronunciation in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro of certain letters. I couldn't find the examples of these differences on your site? As I understood your native dialect is São Paulo's. Does it mean that all mp3s is mostly describe São Paulo's dialect? Kindest regards, Natalia

A. Here are the answers to your questions: 1. There are no MP3 files available. If you have Brazilian friends from different regions, ask them to pronounce the words for you. You can find some songs (different regional accents) on my website, links to TV online and radio stations (different regions) at the link section on my website. Check them out! 2. First of all, we don't have dialects in Brazil, but different regional accents. Brazil is a huge country and pronunciation varies slightly from region to region. I don't know where you come from, but I assume it's the same in your country. I do everything on my own, including recording the MP3 files. You should not worry about different accents. It's important that you pronounce words correctly and that you can communicate with Brazilian people. If you like a certain regional accent, you will pick it up if you live in Brazil for a while. 

M. Thank you very much for your answer. It helped me a lot! As now I'll pay more attention to Portuguese itself, not the pronunciation which I can practice later. Kindest Regards, Natalie

Re: "giga" and "enxike" - Message sent by Annie on August 27, 2008

Q. I met two Brazilian boys this summer named "giga" and "enxike". I am really trying to write correctly their names in order to find them at facebook and communicate with them. How is those two names written correctly in Brazilian-Portuguese? I would be grateful to you if I had an answeur. Many many thanks in advance. Annie

A.The second name must be "Henrique" (Henry). The first one I cannot understand.

Re: "de/di” - Message sent by Natjas on July 24, 2008

Q. I started to learn portuguese using info from your website. I have doubts about pronounciation of letter D. It seems to me that sometimes it is pronounsed like J in JEW. Also, the letter T sometimes sounds like CH in CHEESE. I'm reffering to brasilian portuguese. I hope you can help me. Thanks, Natjas

A. You can find the answer to your question on my website:  http://www.sonia-portuguese.com/Mboard/pronunciation.htm

Re: aid in learning pronunciation - Message sent by Tomasz on July 14, 2008

Q. What do you think, as a native speaker and a teacher, about using text-to-speech systems like http://free-translator.imtranslator.net/speech.asp?url=T2&dir=pt&text=brasileiro - http://tts.loquendo.com/ttsdemo/default.asp?page=id&voice=Gabriela as an aid in learning pronunciation? Do you think it is correct for isolated words or short sentences? Best regards, Tomasz

A. I think that the pronunciation (Fernanda, not Gabriela) at loquendo site (http://tts.loquendo.com/ttsdemo/default.asp?page=id&voice=Fernanda) is better (Brazilian Portuguese), but the first website is more users' friendly because you can follow the text on the screen. If you learn the pronunciation rules available in my CD-ROM course (17 pages), you don't need such programs. Of course, you can use this kind of programs for isolated words or short sentences.

Re: "de/di” - Message sent by Matthew (Mexico) on October 16, 2007

Q. I was told by a Portugeuse speaker that "de" is actually pronounced like "jee" in English. Is this true everywhere in Brazil? Also, are there any other circumstances in which the "d" is pronounced more like our "j" (for example, do you pronounce "do" like "jo", etc)? Your pronunciation page doesn't mention this issue at all. Thanks! Matthew

A. The pronunciation of "de/di" (cidade, dinheiro) and "te/ti" (contente, tinha) can be tricky. Depending on the region, these sounds can be hard as in "dedo, televisão" (Recife) or soft (Rio) as in "dia, tomate". Both sounds are correct. You can find a more detailed explanation about different regional pronunciation in my grammar book, page 21.

Re: "de/di, te/ti” - Message sent by Chris on October 13, 2007

Q. When do you pronounce the letter d as a "duh" sound as in donkey, and when do you pronounce it as "gee" as in...well, dia in Portuguese? Also the combination of the letters te. When and why are they pronounced like the english "che" like in cheese?  Thanks for your time and congratulations on the wonderful site.

A. The pronunciation of "de/di" and "te/ti" can be tricky. Depending on the region, these sounds can be hard as in "dedo, televisão" (Recife) or soft (Rio) as in "dia, tomate". Both sounds are correct. 

Re: “Obrigado” - Message sent by George on September 19, 2007

Q. Portuguese dictionaries say Obrigado is pronounced Ob-ree-ga-doo. OO like the "Moo" of a cow. Portuguese people pronounce Obrigado as Ob-ree-gad-owe ....like as "owe" in to owe someone money. Can you tell me why this is so? Obrigado! George

A. "O" sounds like [w/oo or o] at the end, if unstressed. Take a look at the pronunciation guide and at the sentences available on my website (click on Pronunciation and Phrases).

Re: “Heaven and Earth” - Message sent by Patti on September 19, 2007

Q. I am trying to figure out how you might say and pronounce “Heaven and Earth” in Portuguese (spoke on the Azores Islands). I have come up with: “céu e terra” Pronounced in English as “Say-ew” is that correct? Your help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you, Patti

A. The translation is correct. You pronounce "céu" as in "troféu" and "terra" as in "Inglaterra". As for the pronunciation, it's hard to reproduce sound in written form. Take a look at the pronunciation guide available on my website (click on Pronunciation) or ask a Brazilian friend to pronounce these words for you.

Re: R Pronunciation - Message sent by Victor on August 23, 2007

Q. I get confused when the r goes before a consonant. For example: quarto, perfeito, experto etc. How would someone in Brazil pronounce that? Is it a hard sound like the english word loch or a soft sound like the english word ham? Also, the final r in words like falar, morar, fazer, ter and vir. Are they pronounced?  

A. R can be pronounced like the French r as in jour or like the English r as in morning. It's hard to reproduce sounds in written form. Take a look at the pronunciation guide available on my website or ask a Brazilian friend to pronounce these words for you. The final r is usually pronounced.

Re: "Sao Paulo" - Message sent by John on July 21, 2007

Q. Please help me before I go mad! I'm an American driven crazy by the English pronunciation of "Sao Paulo" as "saw-oh paulo". Is not the S-A-O an abbreviation for Saint? There fore should it not be pronounced in its entirety as "Santo Paulo" or would that be Spanish? Dictionaries are of no help and so far I have heard from three Brazilians who tell me the following: Sao should be pronounced "Som". Some say "Son", some say "Sun" and another says as above always fully as "Santo". I know that for many years it was listed on English language maps as "st" or "Sn" or "Sto". Evidently (or so I heard) Portuguese speakers objected to the "Spanishfication" of their word for "saint" on our maps. Can you clarify this for me? I am so tired of intelligent English speakers, especially the news media using the pronunciation "Sa-oh" or "Saw-oh". Am I wrong? Thank you. John

A. It's hard to reproduce a sound in written form. You have to pronounce "são" (nasal sound) as in "mansão", "pão", "não", etc. You'd better ask a Brazilian friend to pronounce it for you. Note: Both words "São" (used before consonants like "São Paulo") and "Santo" (used before vowels like "Santo Antônio" ) mean "Saint" in English.

Re: "Céu" - Message sent by Max on July 8, 2007

Q. I'm trying to check the pronunciation of the name of a singer from Brazil. I come to you because in so many articles about this performer there are conflicting guides to how we should say her name - your wonderful friendly site made me think you would not mind answering this little question. Her name is Céu, the word meaning sky or heaven. Here are all the ways I've seen in print to "help" us say this word: pronounced "say-ew", "cell with a light L", "Sow," like wow, "Say-You", "sa-eu", "SAY-oo", "SAY-oh", "seh-ew". I tried using your pronunciation guide and I figure it would be described as "SAY-oo"--is that how you would say it? Thank you for your time, Max

A. It's hard to reproduce a sound in written form. You have to pronounce "Céu" as in "chapéu" ("é" open as in "café"). You'd better ask a Brazilian friend to pronounce it for you. Take also a look at the Pronunciation guide available on my website (http://www.sonia-portuguese.com/text/pronunciation.htm). 

Re: Pronunciation - Message sent by Lady J on June 12, 2007

Q. Is there a different pronunciation between morar (to reside) and morrer (to die) when conjugating the verbs? Since these two words are so drastically different, I do not want to say the wrong thing. Thanks, Lady J

A. There is a big different between one R and two Rs. Take a look at the pronunciation guide available on my website (http://www.sonia-portuguese.com/text/pronunciation.htm) and compare caro and carro. Examples: moro (ó), mora (ó), moramos (ô), moram (ó) & morro (ô), morre (ó), morremos (ô), morrem (ó). Note: ô is closed as in avô (know), ó is open as in avó (law). Morrer is usually not used in the present tense. 

Re: Pronunciation - Message sent by Charlsey on June 6, 2007

Q. I am in the process of learning Portuguese and I am having a difficult time with the pronunciation of some words. For example: I cannot figure out how to correctly say homem or the word for airplane. I have looked for various sites and am still not able to locate any area where I might be able to hear how they are pronounced? Any ideas? 

A. Ho-mem (h is silent, o is open, mem as in amém, bem). A-vi-ão (a open, vi, ão as in não. It's hard to reproduce sound in written form. Take a look at the pronunciation guide available on my website. 

Re: Pronunciation - Message sent by Susanna on April 24, 2007

Q. I'm *so* glad I found your site. I am giving a brief lecture on the Brazilian composer Villa-Lobos tomorrow morning and just realized that I'm not sure how to pronounce the words "chôro" (is "shor'-oh" close?) and "chorões" (is "shor-oh'-yace" close?). I've been so busy writing that I forgot I need to say these words out loud! Any assistance would be most appreciated. Thanks! Susanna

A. "Choro" - the pronunciation is closed and the stress is on the first syllable (cho - ro). "Chorões" - the pronunciation is closed and the stress is on the second syllable (cho-rões). CH in Portuguese sounds like SH in English. It's hard to reproduce a sound in written form. Take a look at the pronunciation guide available on my website and if you have a Brazilian friend, ask him/her to pronounce it for you.

M. Thanks very much! I did use the pronunciation guide on your website and, as it turned out, there was a 

Brazilian gentleman in the audience today who said my pronunciation sounded fine. Thanks again, Susanna

Re: Open and closed letter - Message sent by Devin on March 31, 2007

Q. I'm currently learning Portuguese, because I'm going to São Paulo as an exchange student this summer.  I have a question about the open and closed letter "e". What would it sound like if it was open? Which "e" would it be if there were 2 or more? Like in the word "(ele) BEBE", is the first "e" open, because it's stressed? Does it sound any different than the English "e"? Also in the word "governa". Is the "o" or "e" stressed? Oh, one more question; In the 1st person singular (eu) form of "-er/-ir" verbs, is the "i" at the ends stressed as if there were an accent? (That's how it is in Spanish) It would be hard to tell if the "i" wasn't stressed.    

A. As for your questions, "e" has an open pronunciation probably because it's stressed, but there are exceptions! In the word "governa", the "e" is stressed. I can't understand what you mean in your third question, but the stress varies according to the tense.

Re: Regional Pronunciation Question - Message sent by Laila on March 25, 2007

Q. First of all, I want to say that your website has been by far the best Brazilian Portuguese Learning website I've found! I'm 15 years old and I've been trying to teach myself Portuguese for the nearly 2 years. I suddenly decided to start learning Brazilian Portuguese instead of Continental Portuguese so I want to start from scratch. My question is on the regional pronunciation part you have on your website where you say that both the Sao Paulo & Rio de Janeiro pronunciations are correct for the letters r/s/x/z. I didn't understand exactly what you meant by that but I had this on mind: for example the word FELIZ, I heard you pronounce it "fel-eeS" but I've gotten so used to saying "fel-eeSH". Is this still correct? Is this what you meant by that? Thanks in advance!

A. I am happy to hear that you like my website and I would appreciate it if you could recommend it to other people who are also learning Portuguese. As for your question, the first pronunciation (felees) is from Sāo Paulo and the second one (feleesh) is from Rio. Both are correct. The first one is easier for most people. Choose the one that is easier for you. If you opt for the second pronunciation (Rio), remember that every s/x/z you have to pronounce the same.

Re: Bahia - Message sent by Noreen on March 26, 2007 

Q. I’m looking to find out how to pronounce the name of the city, Bahia, in Brazil. My fourth grade class and I are studying African history. Thank you. Noreen

A. Ba-i-a. "H" is silent in Portuguese. The "i" is stressed. It's hard to reproduce a sound in written form. Take a look at the pronunciation guide available on my website. 

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