Why Learning Brazilian Portuguese is Worth the Effort
You may have been in this situation before.
You’ve been learning Brazilian Portuguese for a while but you don’t seem to make progress. Then you think: well, I don’t really need to learn it. I can make do with English.
Don’t give in to that urge.
Especially if you are involved with Brazilians — maybe you were married to a Brazilian, or perhaps you want to live here in Brazil.
Whatever the situation is, don’t give in to that urge.
Ultimately, you are the person to say whether learning Portuguese is worth the effort.
But I can give you 8 reasons for its worth.
Brazil is yet once again on the international radar
Brazil is one of the fastest-growing economies in the world, and its influence is only increasing.
With over 200 million people and abundant natural resources, Brazil has become a significant player in the global marketplace.
Our country is known for its agricultural exports, manufacturing industry, and growing technology sector. (Currently, it’s not that developed, but in time, in time.)
As Brazil continues to expand its presence on the international stage, learning Brazilian Portuguese can give you a competitive edge in the business world. Especially if you deal with anything related to Latin America.
If you’re doing business in Brazil, you’ll want to learn Brazilian Portuguese
Brazilian Portuguese is the official language of Brazil, and it’s essential for anyone doing business in the country.
While many Brazilians speak English (about 5% of the population declares to know some English), having a basic understanding of Portuguese will help you build stronger relationships with clients and colleagues.
And being fluent in Brazilian Portuguese will show that you respect their culture and are willing to make an effort to communicate with them in their native language.
And really, only by learning Brazilian Portuguese will you be able to understand those cultural nuances and differences that make anyone crazy.
Brazilian culture is such an amazing thing
Far from me to say that other countries don’t have amazing cultures as well, but I’m Brazilian…
So I have to toot my own horn.
Brazil is known for its vibrant culture, meaning, Carnaval.
That’s mostly what our country is known for.
But it doesn’t mean that our culture doesn’t have variety. It’s just that most of it gets lost in translation.
By learning Brazilian Portuguese, you can better understand and appreciate our reach cultural heritage.
And by the sheer size of the country, you’ll see that most of our culture has the fingerprints of many countries in the world. You’ll find something you identify with in our country.
And I know you haven’t thought about it, but I consider food culture to be culture as well.
And you will have access to all of that once you learn Brazilian Portuguese.
Brazil is an enormous country, and you’ll have plenty of places to travel to
Brazil is the fifth-largest country in the world, with a diverse range of landscapes and attractions.
It has the Amazon rain forest and its fruits and indigenous peoples and traditions…
It has all the coastal cities with so many kilometers of beaches that I can’t really say for sure (although this article says it’s 7367 kilometers – in Portuguese).
The wetlands in the center of the country…
The very dry places in the northeastern area of the country and its traditions…
You’ll find all this and much more in Brazil.
As someone once told me, there is no shortage of places to explore in Brazil.
Speaking Brazilian Portuguese can make it easier to travel and connect with locals. It allows you to navigate transportation, ask for directions, and converse with people you meet along the way.
Brazilian music is so wildly, crazily popular
Brazilian music is known for its infectious rhythms and catchy melodies.
The true popularity of the music started with our beloved Carmen Miranda and samba, and from it to bossa nova, and so many other rhythms that deserve their own article.
Brazilian music has captivated audiences around the world.
Learning Brazilian Portuguese can help you appreciate and enjoy the country’s vibrant music scene even more.
By understanding the lyrics and being able to sing along, you can truly immerse yourself in the music and connect with its cultural roots.
Whether dancing to the beats of a live band or enjoying a local street performance, speaking Portuguese will enhance your overall musical experience.
Learn Brazilian Portuguese, learn other romance languages
Brazilian Portuguese is a Romance language, which means it shares many similarities with other languages in the same family.
(I tend to joke, rather inappropriately, that if you learn Brazilian Portuguese, you get Spanish as a bonus. But if you know Spanish and would like to learn Brazilian Portuguese, this article will give you some pointers)
Learning Brazilian Portuguese will be relatively easier for you if you already speak Spanish, French, or Italian. The vocabulary, grammar structures, and even some pronunciation patterns are similar across these languages.
And the other way around also works. If you learn Brazilian Portuguese and then start another romance language, you’ll see how easy it is to acquire it as well.
Brazilian Portuguese might land you a job!
Knowing Brazilian Portuguese can be a valuable asset in many industries, from international business to tourism.
As Brazil continues to grow economically and attract foreign investment, there is a high demand for professionals who can speak Portuguese.
Whether you’re interested in working for a multinational company with operations in Brazil or pursuing a career in the tourism industry, speaking the language can make you a more attractive candidate.
In fact, quite a few of my students came to Brazil under contract with their companies because they were the only ones who could speak Portuguese.
It’s so easy to find materials for Brazilian Portuguese
Many resources are available for learning Brazilian Portuguese, from textbooks to online courses.
And that happens because Brazil is bigger numerically speaking.
With so many options, finding a learning method that works for you is easy. You can enroll in language classes or hire a private tutor if you prefer a structured approach.
If you enjoy self-study, numerous textbooks and online platforms offer interactive lessons and practice exercises (like these apps I recommend).
Additionally, there are plenty of opportunities to practice speaking Portuguese with native speakers through language exchange programs or online communities. Everywhere you go you’ll find a Brazilian. Look for them.
See? Worth it.
Learning Brazilian Portuguese can open up new opportunities and help you better understand and appreciate Brazil’s rich culture and history.
Whether you’re doing business in Brazil or want to travel and explore the country, knowing the language can make a big difference.
It allows you to connect with locals on a deeper level, navigate cultural differences, and fully immerse yourself in the vibrant Brazilian lifestyle.
Don’t give up, don’t throw your progress away.
