01
European (Portugal) vs Brazilian Portuguese: accents, vocabulary and nuances
02
Everyday conversation and authentic idiomatic expressions
03
CAPLE (Portugal) and CELPE-Bras (Brazil) preparation: official certifications
04
Business Portuguese: Brazilian market and relations with Lusophone Africa
05
Portuguese fado and Brazilian bossa nova: culture and language through music
06
Pronunciation: nasal vowels and phonetic differences between Europe and Brazil

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions about learning Portuguese

Which variant should I choose: European or Brazilian Portuguese?

It depends entirely on your goal. If you're traveling to Portugal, have ties to Lusophone Africa (Angola, Mozambique, Cape Verde, São Tomé) or are targeting Portuguese companies, European Portuguese is recommended. If you're targeting the Brazilian market, trade with Brazil, or simply Brazilian culture (Carnaval, samba, capoeira), choose Brazilian. The two are mutually intelligible, but the accents and vocabulary are noticeably different, choosing from the start avoids confusion.

Is Portuguese close to Spanish?

Portuguese and Spanish share about 89% lexical similarity, the highest rate between two officially distinct languages. A Spanish speaker can read Portuguese with partial comprehension. But in spoken form, the differences are significant: European Portuguese is particularly hard for an unprepared Spanish speaker to understand, with its reduced unstressed vowels. If you speak Spanish, learning Portuguese takes 40-50% less time than a non-Romance language.

What are the economic advantages of learning Portuguese?

Brazil is the world's 9th largest economy and the largest market in Latin America, with a population of 215 million consumers. Portugal is a booming European and tech hub (Lisbon and Porto are among the best startup cities in Europe). The Lusophone African countries, Angola (oil), Mozambique (natural gas), Cape Verde (tourism), offer opportunities for companies looking to expand. The CPLP (Community of Portuguese Language Countries) represents 280 million people.

How do I distinguish the nasal vowels of Portuguese?

Nasal vowels (ão, ã, em, im, um) are the main phonetic challenge of Portuguese for English speakers, but the good news is that they're highly systematic. In Portuguese, nasals are strong and can change the meaning of a word ('ma' vs 'mã'). Nasal diphthongs like 'ão' and 'ãe' don't exist in English. Our teachers use repetition exercises with immediate feedback to fine-tune your pronunciation.

Can you prepare for CELPE-Bras or CAPLE with Targumi?

Yes. CELPE-Bras (Certificado de Proficiência em Língua Portuguesa para Estrangeiros) is the official Brazilian certification, recognized by Brazilian universities and employers for visas and studies. CAPLE is the Portuguese equivalent (levels A2 to C2), recognized throughout the Lusophone world. We offer preparation courses with exercises based on past exams, simulated oral tests and targeted methodology per skill.

Can saudade really be learned?

Saudade, that bittersweet feeling of melancholy, of longing for something present or absent, is the central philosophical concept of Lusophone culture. You hear it in the fado of Lisbon, in the bossa nova of João Gilberto, in the poetry of Fernando Pessoa. And yes, learning Portuguese also means embracing this particular way of feeling the world. Our teachers pass on culture as much as language.

How long does it take to learn Portuguese?

For an English speaker, Portuguese is one of the faster languages to master: 6-9 months to reach a conversational B1 level with regular classes. The vocabulary shares many Latin roots with English (via French and Latin), and the Romance grammar is familiar. The first exchanges are possible after 2-3 months. With Targumi, progress is accelerated through small groups and native teachers from Portugal and Brazil.

Can you learn Portuguese on your own?

The basics are quite accessible for self-learners thanks to the lexical proximity to other Romance languages. But pronunciation, especially nasal vowels and the sounds unique to European Portuguese (more closed than Brazilian), requires real-time human feedback. On Targumi, our small-group classes with native teachers let you practice speaking actively and be corrected in every session.

How much do Portuguese courses cost on Targumi?

Targumi offers 3 plans: monthly, quarterly, and lifetime access. All plans include live small-group classes with native teachers, interactive lessons, and the community. See full pricing on the pricing page.

Are the Portuguese courses online or in person?

100% online. Live classes happen in small groups via Google Meet. You can join from anywhere in the world. The mobile and web app stay accessible 24/7 for interactive lessons.

Is there a money-back guarantee?

Yes. Targumi offers a 30-day money-back guarantee on all plans. If you are not satisfied, just email [email protected] for a full refund.

How do I cancel my subscription?

You can cancel anytime from your profile (“My subscriptions” section) with no hidden fees. Your access stays active until the end of your paid period.

Resources

All Portuguese resources

Explore our free tools to progress outside of class.

Portuguese level test

Assess your CEFR level in 5 minutes. 30-day learning plan included.

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Portuguese survival kit

A hundred words and thirty key phrases as a printable PDF, free.

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Portuguese cultural quiz

How well do you know Portuguese culture? Films, music, traditions.

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Portuguese articles

Guides and articles to learn Portuguese.

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Portuguese vocabulary

Essential words and phrases organized by theme.

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Cultural resources

Podcasts, movies, TV shows and music to progress through immersion.

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Reviews

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Verified learner testimonials.

“Got transferred to São Paulo in February, went through the intensive track. 3 months later I can run meetings without an interpreter. Evening slots fill up fast, I book 2 weeks ahead now.”

DanelVerified purchase

“nigerian by origin but my whole mum's side lived in Portugal. grew up between two languages without really mastering either. finally got my portuguese up to speed here and the teachers never judged my accent. that mattered”

EmekaVerified purchase

“my company signed a deal with a startup in Sao Paulo. had never touched Portuguese before, 3 months later I'm holding calls without an interpreter. still sweat a little but it works 😅”

ObinnaVerified purchase

“Brazil trip in August, didnt want to drag my boyfriend around as my translator. The Portuguese Id picked up covered everything. App a bit laggy on mobile sometimes, shame.”

Valentina K.Verified purchase

“Carpenter, Portuguese changed my life: I became the bridge between our local team and the foreign HQ.”

Cheikh SowVerified purchase

“Portuguese classes recorded and available 48h later. Practical for re-listening to a grammar point.”

Quentin P.Verified purchase

“Ceramist, Portuguese changed my life: I became the bridge between our local team and the foreign HQ.”

Fanta LeeVerified purchase

“Dentist, Portuguese changed my life: I read technical documentation without going through a translator.”

Akira H.Verified purchase

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A complete learning platform: learn to build sentences, listen to audio to pronounce correctly, practice with exercises.
Regular live small-group classes: real practice. Schedule on the platform, everything on replay so you never miss out. Join in or not, no obligation.
WhatsApp community with other learners and teachers: practice writing, chat every day, immerse yourself in the language.

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A complete learning platform: learn to build sentences, listen to audio to pronounce correctly, practice with exercises.
Regular live small-group classes: real practice. Schedule on the platform, everything on replay so you never miss out. Join in or not, no obligation.
WhatsApp community with other learners and teachers: practice writing, chat every day, immerse yourself in the language.
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