Are you still speaking Portuñol? Did you think speaking Spanish was easier, but sometimes you can't distinguish between Spanish and Portuguese? Do you want to take the leap and speak 100% Spanish? If your native language is Portuguese, you've probably experienced the frustration of not being able to cross the fine line between the two languages. But don't worry: we're here to help.
For 25 years at Luis Vives, we have had the honor of helping dozens of Portuguese-speaking students on their journey to learning Spanish, adapting to their specific needs. This is because we have teachers who have lived and worked in Portugal and have faced similar challenges while learning Portuguese. In this article, we've decided to draw on all those years of experience to give you some tips that will be very useful for learning Spanish.
Why do the Portuguese find it difficult to abandon Portuñol?
Undoubtedly, one of the biggest challenges for Portuguese speakers is avoiding the dreaded Portuñol, that intermediate language that sometimes makes us think we're speaking good Spanish, even though we get strange looks or aren't understood. Spanish and Portuguese share 90% of their vocabulary, and of course, the grammar of both languages is also very similar. This greatly facilitates comprehension, especially at the beginner levels, but it also generates a significant feeling of insecurity, since it's very difficult in some cases to distinguish whether what we're saying is actually Spanish or a mistaken copy of Portuguese. For example, the lexical similarity leads us to copy terms like «security» (from the Portuguese term Safety), which is not used in Spanish, instead of the correct term «to maximise security and your enjoyment.", or that we translate the Portuguese word"money" as *money (instead of the correct way) moneyThese are just some of the many interferences with Portuguese that make learning Spanish difficult, but there are many more. If you'd like a more detailed explanation of the main interferences between these languages, we recommend you keep an eye on our blog, as we'll be discussing this topic.
Tips for learning Spanish if you speak Portuguese
If you want to learn Spanish and your native language is Portuguese, you have numerous options to begin learning Spanish. We always recommend that our students do what they enjoy, but in Spanish: this is the best way to avoid boredom and learn while having fun. For example:
- Read a book you have already read in Portuguese, but this time in Spanish to improve reading comprehension and learn more words.
- Speak to other people in Spanish, neighbors or friends; Spain and Portugal are united, travel near the border!
- Repeat phrases with slow audio, for example, with a podcast, movie or series to improve listening comprehension and pronunciation.
- Try to write at least 100 words a day; you can do it first in Portuguese and then translate to Spanish.
- Listen to music, and if you like the sound of a Spanish song, write down and learn its lyrics!
- Take a Spanish course where you will learn from the very basics.
Below, you'll find our best recommendations to help you get started from scratch. Plus, you can take advantage of a 20% discount on all our in-person courses, forever. Just fill out our form. registration form and enter the promotional code I AM FROM PORTUGAL.
Read and reread
Portuguese and Spanish literature have always maintained a very close relationship. Spanish authors who have shown interest in Portuguese literature, such as Emilia Pardo Bazán; Portuguese classics, such as Camões, who wrote part of their work in Spanish; and books that pay homage to both countries equally, such as Unamuno's classic "Through the Lands of Portugal and Spain." Reading is certainly one of the best ways to expand your vocabulary, and the lexical similarities between the two languages will allow you to approach Spanish literature without much difficulty. If you love reading, you'll feel right at home with Spanish literature. If you live in a Portuguese-speaking country, you'll surely find it easy to access books in Spanish. If not, a good option is to access any online library: we suggest... this.
Talk
As you know, actions speak louder than words. It's no secret that if you want to improve your Spanish, the first thing you have to do is start speaking it. If you already live in Spain, you won't find it difficult to meet people, get together with native speakers, and make Spanish friends to chat with. Of course, any opportunity is a good one to put what you know into practice. And if you make mistakes, don't worry: we all make mistakes when we start learning a new language. The important thing is not to be afraid and to try to learn new expressions every day.
But if you're in your own country and don't know any Spanish speakers, you can also opt for the numerous language exchange platforms available online. Even in our online platform You can join our open conversation classes for all registered users. Are you up for it?
Listen to a podcast
One of the best ways to improve your Spanish is undoubtedly through the amazing world of podcasts. This is certainly one of the best ways to gain confidence in a language and improve your comprehension skills. The advantage of learning by listening to podcasts is that the variety of topics offered on these platforms is so vast that it's impossible not to find something that interests you. If you're not familiar with any podcasts, we have a very interesting option for you. Spanish in 10 minutes It's Luis Vives' weekly podcast where you can improve your Spanish and learn very useful words and expressions for everyday life.
Watch movies or series
Just as in literature, the relationship between Spain and Portugal in film is well-known. If you enjoy cinema, you'll find numerous Spanish films that explore Portugal and offer a fresh perspective on our sister country. One of the most recent is Avelina Prat's "Una quinta portuguesa" (A Portuguese Country House), in which a professor seeks refuge in northern Portugal in search of a new life. But it's certainly not the only one; among them all, "Fados," Carlos Saura's homage to this unique musical genre, undoubtedly stands out.
It's clear that movies and TV series are one of the best ways to improve while studying a language. Watching films allows you to expand your vocabulary and learn a lot of colloquial expressions. So, while enjoying a good story or impressive special effects, you can make a list of common expressions and compare them with their Portuguese equivalents. A good option, thanks to its extensive catalog, is the website of RTVEBut if you're a die-hard fan of movies and TV series, you can't miss the selection of films offered by the Spanish platform. The film.
Listen to music
If you live in a Portuguese-speaking country, you've surely sung along to "Bamboleo," danced to the rhythm of "Macarena," or hummed "Aserejé" like there's no tomorrow. Any Portuguese speaker has likely heard one of the most popular Spanish musical hits at some point in their life. Music is a wonderful way to learn new words and expressions in a language, so if you want to discover many more Spanish songs, we've put together a list of 50 Spanish songs and greatest hits for all tastes. she is ready Created by the teachers at our school. If you like any song in Spanish, learn the lyrics!
The most comprehensive option: take a Spanish course
Taking a Spanish course is a fantastic way to learn. But it's not just that; it's also a wonderful experience where you can meet people and learn from a teacher. Certainly, if you're thinking of coming to Spain to study, it's the best option. our Madrid SchoolIf you decide to enroll in one of our in-person courses, you can receive directly a 20% discount forever. For it:
- You must prove that you are of Portuguese nationality (with your ID or passport).
- You must complete a direct registration between you and the school through this form.
You can include the promotional code in the registration form. I AM FROM PORTUGAL
But don't worry, if you don't have the opportunity to come see us, we'll come to you through our online course platform. Don't know it? It's this.
At the Luis Vives Spanish School, we are committed to quality teaching based on experience and close student support. Therefore, you will learn not only in the classroom with theory and tips for learning Spanish, but also through immersion activities where you will put everything you've learned into practice.
Our team of teachers has professional and life experience that allows them to connect with students on a deeper level. For example, Daniel Agudo, whom we asked to write this post, always says that one of the most enriching experiences of his life was living and teaching Spanish in Portugal, where he worked for five years in diverse institutions such as the Universidade da Maia and the Câmara Municipal de Matosinhos, among others. For this reason, teaching Spanish to Portuguese speakers is always a very special experience for him, one in which he feels particularly comfortable. This passion undoubtedly translates into results; our students know without a doubt that they are learning Spanish the right way. If you also want to learn Spanish and feel like you're truly learning the language, don't hesitate to contact us!
