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quick Spanish tips for Portuguese speakers

As a Brazilian who lived in Spain for a year, here are my collected tips for Portuguese speakers learning Spanish.

False Friends (Falsos Amigos)

• Embarazada = pregnant (NOT embarrassed)
• Exquisito = delicious (NOT weird)
• Largo = long (NOT wide)
• Oficina = office (NOT workshop)
• Polvo = dust (NOT octopus)
• Rojo = red (NOT angry)
• Todavía = still (NOT however)
• Vaso = glass (NOT vase)

Sound Changes

• Portuguese "ão" → Spanish "-ón" (coração → corazón)
• Portuguese "nh" → Spanish "ñ" (banho → baño)
• Portuguese "lh" → Spanish "ll" (trabalho → trabajo)
• Portuguese "-ção" → Spanish "-ción" (ação → acción)

Grammar Differences

• Spanish uses "a" before direct objects that are people (Veo a María)
• The gerund (-ando, -iendo) is used differently
• Reflexive verbs are much more common in Spanish

Quick Survival Phrases

• "¿Me pone una caña?" - Can I get a small beer?
• "La cuenta, por favor" - The check, please
• "¿Dónde está el baño?" - Where's the bathroom?
• "No hablo español muy bien" - I don't speak Spanish very well

My Biggest Advice

Don't try to speak "Portunhol" - commit to speaking actual Spanish, even if you make mistakes. Spaniards appreciate the effort and will help you improve.

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