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Learn Brazilian Portuguese: 21 Best Resources to Help You Master This Portuguese Dialect in 2024

Is the call of caipirinhas, Copacabana, Carnival, tropical sunshine and samba luring you in?

Before you can fully access all the wonders Brazil has to offer, you may need to touch up on your Brazilian Portuguese skills.

Whether you want to review some key grammar rules, vocabulary words (including slang) or pronunciation, you don’t have to do it alone!

There are plenty of amazing resources to help you hone your Brazilian Portuguese. In this post, I’m going to share 21 of my favorites.

From apps and games to podcasts and video series, you’re bound to find the best app to learn Brazilian Portuguese for your language level and learning style.

Contents

1. Best for Busy Learners: Nemo Portuguese

nemo-portuguese Available on: iOS | Android

 

Summary: Nemo Portuguese features audio from native speakers to help you with pronunciation.

Nemo Portuguese is designed to be used in those spare moments throughout the day that often go to waste, so even the busiest learners can make progress.

Since the app’s native speaker audio can be saved to your phone, you can even get in some practice when you don’t have internet access, like on your next flight.

Want to listen to how you sound? The Speech Studio lets you record yourself to compare your pronunciation to that of a native speaker.

And with the app’s flashcard decks, you can pick up new vocabulary with a strong focus on commonly used words.

2. Best for Video-based Immersion: FluentU

Available on: iOS | Android

Summary: FluentU allows you to immerse yourself in authentic Portuguese media while transforming music videos, news clips, etc. into language learning lessons at the same time.

FluentU takes authentic videos—like music videos, movie trailers, news and inspiring talks—and turns them into personalized Portuguese lessons.

Other sites use scripted content. FluentU uses a natural approach that helps you ease into the Portuguese language and culture over time. You’ll learn Portuguese as it’s actually spoken by real people.

FluentU has a wide variety of videos, as you can see here:

learn-spanish-with-videos

FluentU brings native videos within reach with interactive transcripts. You can tap on any word to look it up instantly. Every definition has examples that have been written to help you understand how the word is used. If you see an interesting word you don’t know, you can add it to a vocab list.

learn-spanish-with-interactive-subtitled-videos

Review a complete interactive transcript under the Dialogue tab, and find words and phrases listed under Vocab.

learn-spanish-with-songs

Learn all the vocabulary in any video with FluentU’s robust learning engine. Swipe left or right to see more examples of the word you’re on.

learn-spanish-with-music-videos

The best part is that FluentU keeps track of the vocabulary that you’re learning, and gives you extra practice with difficult words. It'll even remind you when it’s time to review what you’ve learned. Every learner has a truly personalized experience, even if they’re learning with the same video.

You can try FluentU for free for 2 weeks. Click here to check out the website or download the iOS app or Android app.

3. Best for Basic Phrases: Learn Portuguese + by Vidalingua

learn-portuguese-by-vidalingua Available on: iOS 

 

Summary: Learn Portuguese + by Vidalingua will teach you key phrases through hundreds of lessons and thousands of exercises.

Learn Portuguese + by Vidalingua offers over 100 lessons and more than 4,000 exercises. This combination can teach you important skills and prepare you to use them.

This app focuses mostly on key phrases you may need, with lessons on topics like greetings, questions, numbers and time. Audio pronunciations are available with multiple accent options, and you can even adjust the speed to your liking and/or level.

Once it’s time to reinforce what you’ve learned, there are plenty of exercises to choose from. You’ll find word jumbles, pronunciation exercises and multiple-choice questions that put your skills to the test.

4. Best for Vocabulary Training: LinGo Play

lingo-play Available on: iOS | Android

 

Summary: LinGo Play is a vocabulary trainer that combines flashcards and games. 

Looking to expand your vocabulary? With thousands of words covering hundreds of topics like education, business and health, LinGo Play has plenty for you to chew on.

Beginner students can start out with lessons, while more advanced students can jump right in with educational games. And since there are 16 different exercises, you won’t be left doing the same thing every time you study.

LinGo Play is designed to fit easily into busy schedules and can be used for as little as five minutes a day to expand your vocabulary during your downtime.

5. Best for Learning Through Games: Digital Dialects

digital-dialects

Available on: Website

Summary: Digital Dialects is brimming with Brazilian Portuguese games that’ll keep you engaged while picking up vital vocab at the same time.

Games, games, games! Not to bash traditional studying, but there’s nothing quite like a game for a much-needed break that keeps the learning on a roll.

Digital Dialects has plenty of Brazilian Portuguese learning games that fit the bill. These games cover topics like colors, numbers, animals, phrases and more. 

You’ll also find spelling games, verb conjugation activities, general vocabulary builders and the like.

Check out more games to learn Portuguese here.

6. Best for Self-study: Rocket Languages Portuguese

rocket-languages

Available on: iOS | Android

Summary: Rocket Languages Portuguese is an all-around app that covers most of the skills you need to master Portuguese.

Rocket Languages offers interactive lessons, comprehensive audio recordings and a user-friendly interface. It covers all aspects of language acquisition like vocabulary, grammar, pronunciation and culture.

The app’s structured curriculum, progress tracking and exercises will ensure that you can effectively practice and reinforce your skills.

This is an excellent resource for improving your proficiency in the language, whatever your current level.

Read on for a full review of Rocket Languages.

7. Best for Audio Learners: PortuguesePod101

PortuguesePod101-logo

Available on: iOS | Android

Summary: PortuguesePod101 is an online platform dedicated to teaching the language through comprehensive lessons, audio recordings and interactive resources.

If you’re looking for the best app to learn Brazilian Portuguese speech, it’s hard to go wrong with PortuguesePod101.

Through a range of engaging content, PortuguesePod101 offers a dynamic learning experience with a focus on practical language usage, cultural insights and vocabulary expansion.

You can access lessons on various topics, track your progress and even join a supportive community to practice and interact with fellow Portuguese learners.

Find out what to expect from Innovative Language’s Pod101 courses in general via this review.

8. Best for Video-based Culture Lessons: Semantica Portuguese

semantica-portuguese Available on: Website

 

Summary: Semantica Portuguese is an online video series originating from Rio de Janeiro. It gives you an insider look at Brazilian culture while teaching you the language.

Through a series of engaging video lessons, Semantica combines real-life scenarios with contextualized language instruction, allowing learners to grasp the language in a natural and practical way.

This resource focuses on conversation skills, vocabulary expansion and comprehension, giving you a well-rounded learning experience. The videos feature native Brazilian actors, providing exposure to different accents and cultural nuances.

9. Best for Podcast Enthusiasts: BrazilianPodClass

BrazilianPodClass-logo Available on: Website

 

Summary: BrazilianPodClass is a Portuguese course in the form of a podcast.

BrazilianPodClass has over 550 episodes, each providing 15-30 minute lessons and a written guide you can use to follow along.

With its engaging and informative audio lessons, you can develop your language skills and gain a deeper understanding of Brazilian culture. The podcast covers a wide range of topics including grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation and cultural lessons.

BrazilianPodClass provides comprehensive lessons that cater to different proficiency levels. The podcast’s interactive format encourages active learning and enables you to practice your listening and speaking skills.

10. Best for Finding Tutors: italki

italki-logo Available on: iOS | Android

 

Summary: With italki, you can easily find experienced Brazilian Portuguese instructors who offer personalized lessons tailored to your specific learning needs.

Through one-on-one video lessons, italki allows you to practice conversation skills, receive feedback on pronunciation, improve grammar and vocabulary and gain cultural knowledge from native speakers.

italki also provides a community where you can engage in language exchanges, participate in discussion forums and connect with fellow Portuguese learners.

Read more about italki in this complete review.

11. Best Free Audio Resource: Brazilpod-logo Brazilpod

Available on: Website

Summary: Brazilpod is a comprehensive online platform developed by the University of Texas at Austin that offers a collection of free online Brazilian Portuguese learning resources.

Brazilpod offers a series of audio lessons covering various topics including grammar and vocabulary. The podcast provides an immersive language learning experience to enhance your skills and explore the richness of Brazilian culture.

Learners can access the episodes for free, making it a valuable resource for anyone interested in mastering Brazilian Portuguese.

12. Best for Beginners: Learn Brazilian by Learn101

learn-brazilian-portugueseAvailable on: Website

Summary: Learn101 is all about teaching language learners the basics, so it’s a great place for beginner students to start.

Learn101 teaches the alphabet and common adjectives, nouns and phrases. Not only that, but lessons on pluralization, gender, verbs and grammar give you all the information you need when starting out.

This site can help teach you some key phrases that you can use right away. The combination of vocabulary and grammar lessons can also help prepare you for additional studying down the road.

13. Most Flexible Language Exchange Option: Speaky

speaky-logoAvailable on: iOS | Android

Summary: Speaky is designed to help you find and connect with native speakers through a variety of means.

Using Speaky, you can find a partner and exchange texts with them in their native language.

You can also make audio and video calls to practice speaking with your language exchange partner.

Speaky is a great way to exercise your speaking, listening, reading and writing skills—not to mention enjoy a well-rounded language learning experience.

14. Best for Authentic Writing Practice: Slowly

slowly-logoAvailable on: iOS | Android

Summary: The Slowly app allows you to reach out to native Portuguese speakers and practice your writing skills in their language.

Writing practice can be almost as hard to get as speaking practice. And if you’re shy, interacting with native speakers via text may be a little more comfortable than speaking to them.

The Slowly app focuses exclusively on written communication.

Through this innovative app, you can send letters to people around the world. You can also enter your interests to help you find a penpal with whom you have more in common.

15. Best for Authentic News Content: Época (O Globo)

o-globo Available on: Website

Summary: Época is a weekly news magazine that allows you to keep up with all the latest from Brazil.

While Época’s articles may be too advanced for beginner and intermediate students, using a Portuguese-to-English translator app can make the site much more accessible.

Not only can you get practice reading Brazilian Portuguese, but you can also stay abreast of the latest news from Brazil.

Here are more resources to practice reading in authentic Portuguese.

16. Best for Language Exchange: Tandem

Available on: iOS | Android

tandem Summary: Tandem is a language exchange app that connects learners and native speakers from across the world, Brazil included.

Tandem is a great option for practicing your skills in real-life conversation with native speakers from Brazil.

The process is as simple as downloading the app, making an account, choosing your desired language and finding people to connect with. It’s a convenient and low-pressure environment to improve your Portuguese conversation abilities.

The platform also has a built-in language correction tool that makes it easy for your new native speaker friends to help you perfect your skills in a friendly way. If you want to take your learning up a notch, Tandem can also connect you with certified language tutors.

Chatting with Brazilians is an immersive, authentic and incredibly effective way to build your language skills. And you never know, you might even make some lifelong friends from these virtual conversations!

Need more info on Tandem? Read this full review.

17. Best Dictionary for Colloquialisms: Dicionário inFormal

Available on: Android

dicionário-informal Summary: Dicionário inFormal features a collection of user-generated Brazilian Portuguese colloquialisms, rhymes, synonyms and antonyms. 

Dicionário inFormal is a fantastic way to learn the most up-to-date vocabulary, including plenty you wouldn’t find in a textbook.

Its popularity among language learners has led the masterminds behind Dicionário inFormal to include an English interface option, too. That way, beginner learners can navigate the app and start getting exposure to real-world Portuguese vocabulary.

18. Most Comprehensive Dictionary App: Bravolol Portuguese-English Dictionary

bravolol-portuguese-english-dictionary Available on: iOS | Android

Summary: Bravolol is one of the most comprehensive Portuguese-English dictionaries out there.

Bravolol is a Portuguese-English dictionary and translator app. Here, you’ll find hundreds of thousands of words and phrases, example sentences, audio pronunciations and spelling suggestions for virtually any Brazilian Portuguese word you can think of.

The best part? It’s mostly free, though you’ll have to pay a small fee to remove the somewhat intrusive ads.

19. Best Portuguese Verb Conjugator: Reverso

reverso Available on: iOS | Android

Summary: Reverso is an app and website that allows you to conjugate Portuguese verbs in 18 ways.

Are you still in the process of mastering Portuguese verb conjugation? Let Reverso be your handy guide.

Aside from conjugating the most common Portuguese verbs (including the irregular ones) in the past, present and future tenses, Reverso also shows you what they look like in their conjunctive, subjunctive, conditional and gerund forms.

20. Most Comprehensive Course: Rosetta Stone

Available on: iOS | Android

rosetta-stone Summary: Rosetta Stone is a popular language learning platform that also has a Brazilian Portuguese course.

Rosetta Stone has both a desktop version and an app version, which is ideal for studying on the go.

You can download units to work your way through, with each lesson taking around 5-10 minutes.

The app also has features such as ‘See and Speak’ which allows you to get translations by pointing them to objects in the real world.

Before you try out Rosetta Stone, check out this full review first.

21. Best for Immersion in Authentic Brazilian Football: Placar UOL 

placar-uol Available on: iOS | Android

Summary: With a name that literally translates to “scoreboard,” Placar UOL will keep you informed about the latest news and sports results to come out of Brazil.

Brazil’s favorite sport and pastime (i.e., football or “soccer” as Americans would call it) is well-represented in this app.

With Placar UOL, you’ll get exposed to a wide range of Brazilian Portuguese language styles. There’s everything from soccer news articles and opinion pieces to expert commentary to input from social media users. There’s even an interactive element as you can pick your favorite teams, follow their rankings and receive information specific to them.

How to Study Brazilian Portuguese

Use multiple resources

It’s great to start with one resource at first, but using more resources can give you a broader perspective. Each resource has its own style and approach to the language. And if audio tools are available, the voice, accent and inflection of the speakers may also vary significantly.

Practice the four essential components of language

As you study Brazilian Portuguese, try to improve your reading, writing, speaking and listening at the same time to prevent any major weak points in your skillset.

Some resources will be better for practicing one or a combination of these skills. This is another good reason why you should utilize multiple resources.

Study often

If you only study Brazilian Portuguese for one hour on Saturday mornings, there’s a strong chance you’ll forget some of what you learned from week to week. It’s only natural!

Any skill you’re not using can fade. Studying more often can help keep what you’ve learned fresh in your mind and prevent some of the backsliding caused by long gaps between study sessions. Even if you just study for a few minutes each day, it can help keep you on the right track.

Set goals

Full fluency takes time, but setting smaller goals along the way can help you stay motivated and focused. After all, you might not feel like studying some days, but if you’ve made it your goal to learn five new words each day, that concrete goal may be the extra push you need to keep going.

Utilize your Brazilian Portuguese language skills

You’ve probably heard the phrase “use it or lose it,” which definitely applies to learning Brazilian Portuguese. Using the skills you’ve acquired helps to reinforce them, so try to use your newly acquired language skills as often as possible.

Whether you speak to yourself, find a conversation exchange partner, keep a journal in Brazilian Portuguese or enjoy Brazilian Portuguese books and movies, anything you can do to use your skills can serve as extra practice.

Why You Should Learn Brazilian Portuguese

Brazilian Portuguese is widely spoken

Portuguese is a very widely spoken language, with around 263.6 million speakers to date. According to the CIA World Factbook, Brazil is the largest and most populous country in South America with over 218.6 million people as of 2023.

While Portuguese is spoken in many other countries, Brazil has the largest population of Portuguese speakers. If you’re unsure of which variation of Portuguese to study, Brazilian Portuguese may give you an edge because it’s so widespread.

Learning Brazilian Portuguese connects you with Brazilian culture

Let’s face it: Brazil has a lot to offer. Between the music, dance, sports, food, history and natural wonders, there’s so much to enjoy. When you learn Brazilian Portuguese, you can connect with Brazilian culture on a much deeper level.

If you think you love the culture now, imagine how much greater your affection might be once you understand Brazilian Portuguese!

Learning Brazilian Portuguese helps you learn many other languages

Portuguese is a Romance language, which is the same family as Spanish, Italian, French and more. As such, they have similar grammatical rules and vocabulary. Even if you ultimately decide to learn a different Romance language, what you pick up from studying Portuguese will likely give you a leg up in your future language studies.

If this reason isn’t enough to convince you to take up a Portuguese course, here are many more reasons to learn Portuguese.

 

Having the ability to communicate in the native language will open up a whole new world to you in Brazil.

So start working on your base tan, samba steps and Brazilian Portuguese with a few of these handy resources!
 

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