Learn Portuguese with Babbel

Why Learn Portuguese?

With over 260 million speakers across four continents, Portuguese opens doors to a rich variety of cultures and people. Let's start with the obvious: Some of the most sought-after travel destinations are in Portuguese-speaking countries. Whether you want to experience carnival in Rio de Janeiro, climb the seven hills in Lisbon or walk along the beautiful white sand beaches of Cape Verde, speaking even a little Portuguese will make your experience all the more enjoyable. 

If you're looking for a leg up professionally, Brazil in particular has massive untapped potential, just right for that extra boost in your career. Being bilingual or multilingual is an excellent way to set yourself apart in a crowded job market, and Portuguese is a great item to add to your resume.

If you’re ready to jump right in, you can try a free Babbel lesson right now. If you’re not sure, then keep reading to explore more about the language, and how Babbel teaches you quickly and effectively.

Should You Learn European Or Brazilian Portuguese?

While Portuguese, like many languages, has several dialects, there are two broad categories you’ll need to consider: Is it better to learn European or Brazilian Portuguese? Although they're mutually intelligible, the vocabulary and pronunciation can be quite different, which is why it's worth choosing just one to focus on when you get started.

There’s no answer that will make sense for everyone. It’s true that there are far more speakers of Brazilian Portuguese than its European counterpart, which makes it more appealing for someone looking to communicate with the majority of the language’s speakers. That said, if you’re planning a trip to Portugal, it would make more sense to study the European variety. For the record, Babbel teaches Brazilian Portuguese.

No matter which variety you choose, there are a few aspects of Portuguese that can take some getting used to. Portuguese has nasal vowels, which are marked by a ~ or followed by the letters "m" or "n", and some letters are pronounced in ways English speakers wouldn't expect (like "r" which sounds like an "h" at the beginning of a word). 

In terms of Portuguese grammar, all nouns have a gender, either feminine or masculine, which affects how you use adjectives and articles (o, a) as well. And verb forms change endings depending on the subject of the sentence. Don't worry, it's not as complicated as it sounds, and you'll quickly get the hang of it!

What You Can Get Out Of Learning Portuguese Online

While in-person learning is great, there are many reasons why learning online might be the better choice for you. One of the primary benefits is the flexibility and convenience that online platforms like Babbel provide. You can access courses, resources, and practice materials at your own pace and schedule, making it easier to fit language study into busy lives. Online learning platforms also include interactive tools, such as quizzes and audio lessons, which can improve your engagement and retention.

Additionally, the global reach of the internet allows learners to connect with native Portuguese speakers and other learners from around the world. This exposure to different accents, dialects, and cultural contexts enriches the learning experience and fosters a deeper understanding of the language. Online language exchange programs and conversation partners can provide valuable speaking practice, which is essential for developing fluency. Even if you’re not visiting Brazil or Portugal any time soon, you’ll be able to have real conversations online.

Finding The Right Portuguese Courses And Lessons

If there is one problem with learning online, it’s that there are so many options. It can quickly become overwhelming when you’re choosing where to get started. Fortunately, you can ask yourself a few questions to narrow things down.

First, why are you learning the language? Having a strong motivation is the best thing to keep you learning even when you’re feeling stuck or bored. And this motivation can also decide what to learn first. If you’re booking a trip, then you might want to look at just the essential Portuguese phrases for ordering food, checking into a hotel and so on. If you’re learning for work, then you might want to begin with more business jargon so you can start building that knowledge early on. Babbel offers a number of courses that range in topic, so you can prioritise the topics you need to know.

Next, are you starting from scratch or building on existing knowledge? If you’ve studied Portuguese before, you might be able to skip the basics. In that case, Babbel has a Placement Test that will tell you whether you should start with Lesson 1 or jump to something more advanced.

Lastly, how have you learned other skills? Everyone learns a little differently, so looking back at what’s worked for you in the past is important to setting out on your language journey. Do you do better with detailed explanations of grammar rules, or do you just want to get out there and learn by trial-and-error? Do you learn from reading lengthy texts, or do you prefer visuals to explain tricky concepts? No matter what your method, you’re sure to find helpful tools out there.

5 Tips For Learning Portuguese quickly

One of the keys to learning a new language is incorporating it into your daily routine, instead of marathon study sessions.

• Spend a little bit of time every day practising Portuguese. Just 15 minutes a day goes a long way to making progress quickly. And make sure to get speaking early on.

• Add a Portuguese podcast to your routine. Find a podcast especially for learning Portuguese, or a podcast on a topic you're interested in. Even if you don't understand much to start with, you'll be training your ear to decipher spoken Portuguese.

• Watch films or TV series in Portuguese with Portuguese subtitles. You can of course also use English subtitles, but with Portuguese subtitles you'll really challenge yourself to understand the language. And if you rewatch one of your favourites, you won't have to worry about missing some of the plot!

• Listen to Portuguese or Brazilian music. Look up Portuguese or Brazilian artists in a genre you enjoy, and read the lyrics while you're listening to their music. Before you know it, you'll be singing along in Portuguese!

• Speak Portuguese with a tandem partner. There's nothing quite like speaking to someone else to put your language skills to the test. Find a Portuguese speaker who's learning your language so that you both can learn something new.

Learn Portuguese With The Babbel App

Babbel has a range of tools that will work for any language learner. The app’s emphasis on real-life dialogues and cultural insights allows learners to connect with the language on a deeper level, preparing them for authentic interactions. 

Whether you're planning to travel, advance your career, or simply explore a new culture, Babbel provides the tools and support you need to succeed in your Portuguese learning journey. What are you waiting for? Get started learning Portuguese today!