Hello, language enthusiasts! As we approach the 10th of June, we celebrate Portugal, Camões, and the Portuguese Communities. It’s a perfect time to appreciate how our language has influenced the world. One fascinating way to see this impact is by learning about Portuguese words in other languages.
Portuguese Words in English
Banana: Did you know the word for this yellow, sweet fruit comes from the Portuguese “banana”? The Portuguese brought this term from West Africa, spreading it across the globe.
Marmalade: This tasty orange preserve derives its name from the Portuguese “marmelada,” which was originally and still is referred to as quince jelly in Portugal.
Embarrass: Surprisingly, this English word comes from the Portuguese “embaraçar,” meaning “to entangle” or “to confuse.”
Portuguese Words in Japanese
Tempura: In Japan, “tempura” refers to a dish of battered and fried foods. The word comes from the Portuguese “tempero,” meaning “seasoning.”
Pão: The Japanese word for “bread” is “pão,” a term introduced by Portuguese missionaries in the 16th century.
Portuguese Words in Hindi
Ananas: In Hindi, “ananas” means “pineapple,” a word directly borrowed from Portuguese.
Armário: In Hindi, “almari” refers to a cupboard or wardrobe, and this word comes from the Portuguese “armário.”
The Global Reach of Portuguese
The influence of the Portuguese language can be seen in many countries around the world. These words are just a few examples of how Portuguese has left a lasting mark on other languages and cultures. As we celebrate the Dia de Portugal, we can take pride in our heritage and our contributions to the linguistic landscape.
Watch the Video Lesson
Next, I’ve made a video with all this information in Portuguese. As usual, I’m underlining the stressed vowel, green represents spoken liaisons and red represents common spoken elisions.
These are a product of connected speech and a natural consequence of fluency.
For subtitles, click on the captions/settings of this video and select. And now on to the exercise.
Thank you for joining me in this celebration of Portuguese heritage. Let’s continue to explore and share the beauty of our language with the world! IF you’d like an exclusive PDF of the Video with he text, join my Patreon today!
Até à próxima!