What Language do Brazilians Speak?

The Official Language

Portuguese is the official language of Brazil. It is spoken by nearly all of the 200 million people living in the country. Portuguese is a Romance language, derived from Latin and closely related to Spanish, Italian and Catalan. Despite having some differences in terms of its lexicon and pronunciation, Portuguese is mutually intelligible with Spanish.

Regional Dialects

Although Portuguese is considered the official language of Brazil, many people also speak regional dialects. These dialects are known as “caipira” and are heavily influenced by the regional Indigenous and European languages spoken by immigrants from different parts of the country. Depending on the region, “caipira” may vary greatly from standard Portuguese.

Languages of Immigration and Expansion

In addition to Portuguese and regional dialects, a number of other languages are also spoken in Brazil. Languages of expand up from Germany, Italy, Poland, and even Japan, have been spoken throughout the vast country by different groups of immigrants. In the Amazon rainforest, an estimated 220 Indigenous languages can still be heard, although many of these are in danger of disappearing.

Brazil is one of the most linguistically diverse countries on the planet, and it is estimated that up to 250 languages are spoken throughout the country. Although Portuguese is the official language, the overwhelming majority of Brazilians also know and understand at least one other language.