Any Portuguese translation needs clarification from the outset as to whether the text is aimed at Brazil or Portugal. Even though it is the same language, there are enough differences between the two variants as to make content sound natural in one market and strange in the other. In commercial, corporate, or digital texts, that nuance matters. So, when a company commissions a translation into Portuguese, it is helpful to know which country it is going to be aimed at exactly.
It isn’t just the accent that changes
It is often thought that the only difference between European and Brazilian Portuguese lies in how it is spoken. In reality, the differences go significantly beyond that. Many everyday words, mainstream expressions, and even some very common structures are different. For example, in Brazil we say “ônibus” (bus), “trem” (train), “sorvete” (ice cream), and “camiseta” (T-shirt), whereas in Portugal these would be “autocarro”, ”comboio”, ”gelado”, and “camisola”. The same thing happens with some sporting terms: “goleiro” (goalkeeper) in Brazil versus “guarda-redes” in Portugal, or “escanteio” (corner) versus “canto”. This stands out immediately on any website, campaign, product data sheet, or any content designed for the end customer.
This is where good Portuguese translations make all the difference. A text may be accurately translated and still not sound very natural if it hasn’t been adapted to the specific variant to be read by the target audience. Writing for São Paulo will be different to writing for Lisbon, and any brand that wants to communicate well should take that into account.
How you express yourself also changes
The difference isn’t just in the vocabulary. It can also be seen in the way that certain phrases are constructed and in some very common formulas. For example, in Brazil the gerund is often used: “estou fazendo” (I am doing), “estou chegando” (I am arriving), or “estou falando” (I am speaking). In Portugal, however, it sounds more natural to say “estou a fazer”, “estou a chegar”, or “estou a falar”. The collocation of pronouns also changes: in Brazil it is common to read or hear “me avise” (let me know) or “te digo” (I’ll tell you), whereas in Portugal the “avise-me” or “digo-te” forms are used more. Even the way in which we address people can sound different depending on the market: in Brazil “você” (you) is widespread in daily communication, whereas it is not always used with the same degree of naturalness in Portugal.
This makes a big impact on the overall tone of the text. A Portuguese to Spanish translation may accurately convey the original meaning, but when the process goes from Spanish to Portuguese, choosing the wrong variant can make the text sound less natural. And when a company is translating content to sell, inform, or protect its image, this should not be taken lightly.
What this entails in a translation for companies
For a company, the conclusion is obvious: translating for Brazil is not the same as translating for Portugal. A translation into Brazilian Portuguese for ecommerce, customer service, or online campaigns needs a different approach than a text designed for Portugal. As such, in professional Portuguese translations it is best to establish which market the content is aimed at right from the beginning. This is where a translation agency for Portuguese texts can offer more value: adapting the text to the right variant so that it sounds natural to the person reading it.
