Electronics

1. o telemóvel

   Mobile phone

   Usage

   "O telemóvel" in Portugal; Brazil says "o celular" and will not recognise "telemóvel"

2. o tablet

   Tablet

   Usage

   The English word works in both countries. Security may ask you to take it out of your bag separately

3. o computador portátil

   Laptop

   Usage

   Portugal shortens it to "o portátil". Brazil says "o notebook" and will not follow "portátil"

4. o carregador

   Charger

   Usage

   The same in both countries. To borrow one: "tem um carregador que me possa emprestar?"

5. o cabo de carregamento

   Charging cable

   Usage

   In a shop it is quicker to name the connector — "USB-C" and "Lightning" are used as-is

6. a bateria externa

   Power bank

   Usage

   "O powerbank" is just as common in speech. It cannot go in checked baggage — carry it in the cabin

7. o adaptador de viagem

   Travel plug adapter

   Usage

   Portugal uses the European C and F plugs at 230V. Brazil uses its own type N, and the voltage varies by city — 127V in São Paulo and Rio, 220V in Brasília and Recife — so always check the label there

8. a tomada

   Power socket

   Usage

   The same in both countries. "Onde há uma tomada?" — where is there a socket? — is what to ask in a café

9. a extensão

   Extension lead / Power strip

   Usage

   "A extensão" in Portugal. Brazil says "o filtro de linha" for a surge-protected strip, and calls a three-way splitter "o benjamim"

10. as pilhas

    Batteries

    Usage

    Disposable cells are "as pilhas"; a rechargeable or built-in battery is "a bateria". "AA" and "AAA" are used as-is

11. o Wi-Fi

    Wi-Fi

    Usage

    "Tem Wi-Fi?" — do you have Wi-Fi? Portugal pronounces it closer to "wee-fee", Brazil closer to "wai-fai"

12. a palavra-passe do Wi-Fi

    Wi-Fi password

    Usage

    Portugal says "a palavra-passe", Brazil "a senha" — there the set phrase is "qual é a senha do Wi-Fi?"

13. o cartão SIM

    SIM card

    Usage

    The same in both countries; prepaid is "o cartão pré-pago" in Portugal. In Brazil a local tax number (CPF) is usually required to buy one, so an eSIM is often the practical choice

14. o cartão de memória

    Memory card

    Usage

    In a shop just say "o cartão SD" or "o micro SD". The same in both countries

15. os auscultadores

    Headphones / Earphones

    Usage

    "Os auscultadores" in Portugal; Brazil says "os fones de ouvido" and will not follow the Portuguese word. Both are always plural

16. a coluna

    Speaker

    Usage

    "A coluna" in Portugal — a Bluetooth speaker is "a coluna Bluetooth". Brazil says "a caixa de som". Note "coluna" also means a column or pillar

17. a máquina fotográfica

    Camera

    Usage

    "A máquina fotográfica" in Portugal, often shortened to "a máquina". Brazil says "a câmera"; Portugal spells that word "a câmara"

18. a lanterna

    Flashlight / Torch

    Usage

    The same in both countries, including the phone's torch: "a lanterna do telemóvel" / "a lanterna do celular"

19. o ar condicionado

    Air conditioning

    Usage

    The same in both countries. Older Portuguese buildings often have none, so ask before booking: "o quarto tem ar condicionado?"

20. o comando

    Remote control

    Usage

    "O comando" in Portugal; Brazil says "o controle remoto", or just "o controle", and will not follow "comando"

21. a ventoinha

    Electric fan

    Usage

    "A ventoinha" in Portugal, "o ventilador" in Brazil. Ask for one where the room has no air conditioning

22. o frigorífico

    Fridge

    Usage

    "O frigorífico" in Portugal, shortened to "o frigo". Brazil says "a geladeira" — there "frigorífico" means a meatpacking plant

23. a televisão

    Television

    Usage

    The same in both countries, often shortened to "a TV". Portugal subtitles foreign film and television rather than dubbing it, so the English soundtrack is usually intact

24. o micro-ondas

    Microwave

    Usage

    The same in both countries. "Pode aquecer, por favor?" — could you heat this up?

25. a chaleira elétrica

    Electric kettle

    Usage

    Rooms in both countries often have none — these are coffee cultures. Ask at reception: "tem uma chaleira elétrica?"

26. a máquina de lavar roupa

    Washing machine

    Usage

    The same in both countries. A launderette is "a lavandaria self-service" in Portugal and "a lavanderia self-service" in Brazil

27. o secador de cabelo

    Hairdryer

    Usage

    The same in both countries. To check: "o quarto tem secador de cabelo?"

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