At Remitly, we know that our customers are global citizens, but did you know that languages themselves can “travel,” too?
In this article, we’ll explore countries around the globe that speak Portuguese. From South America to the far corners of Asia, the language is prevalent in many unexpected places. We’ll also examine the historical significance of the Portuguese language and the colonialist past that contributed to its spread and use worldwide.
Portuguese-speaking countries and their global distribution
When I graduated from college and started talking with my classmates about their future plans, one of my friends told me that she would be traveling to Africa with the Peace Corps. She said her placement in Mozambique was perfect because she would be able to use her Portuguese, which was her family’s native language.
I was confused because, to my knowledge, the only places where Portuguese was widely spoken were Portugal and Brazil. Back then, I was unaware that Portugal’s expansionist history resulted in many countries around the world adopting the language.
Number of Portuguese-speaking countries
Today, 10 countries globally designate Portuguese as an official language. These nations are quite far-flung: you can find them everywhere from South America to Africa, Asia and beyond. Many people speak a textbook form of Portuguese, while others have adapted the language and made it their own through distinct dialects and creoles, which refers to a mix of a European language and a local language.
Overview of Portuguese speakers worldwide
After Spanish and French, Portuguese is the third-most spoken Romance language worldwide. There are over 260 million Portuguese speakers today, with around 27 million using it as a second language.
Portuguese shares many similarities with other Romance languages and with English, thanks to their common Latin roots. It’s the number one language spoken in the Southern hemisphere, as countries like Brazil, Angola, and Mozambique have made it an official language.
Importance of Portuguese as a language
If you’re considering living in Portugal, have you thought about exploring other Lusophone—or Portuguese-speaking—countries? Although the spread of Portuguese is tied to expansionism, it also acts as a unifying language for diverse cultures. Understanding and cultural exchange are fostered by its native speakers.
As one of the world’s top ten most commonly spoken languages, Portuguese is also a valuable tool for international communication, economic exchange, and the arts.
Historical spread of the Portuguese language
The wide reach of the Portuguese language is directly related to Portugal’s early advancements in exploration and seafaring. These developments allowed Portuguese navigators to reach distant lands, taking advantage of local resources and people while spreading their language and culture.
Origins and historical significance of the Portuguese language
The Romans introduced Latin to the Iberian Peninsula in the 3rd century BC. Over time, this “Vulgar Latin” developed into a unique dialect along the Atlantic coast, locally referred to as Galician-Portuguese.
After the fall of the Roman Empire, Galician-Portuguese began to diverge from other Romance languages. King Dinis of Portugal founded the country’s first university in 1290, which officially marked Portuguese replacing Latin as the official language.
Expansion during the Age of Exploration
The Age of Exploration—or the Age of Discovery—was a defining period for Europe. Various powers embarked on voyages intended to “discover” and conquer areas of the world previously unknown to them.
Portugal was a dominant country during this time. The Portuguese empire expanded into Africa, Asia, and the Americas, generating both colonial and commercial power for Portugal. As a result, the Portuguese language spread far and wide across the globe.
Modern influence and cultural importance
Although Portugal’s days as a global imperialist heavyweight are over, the influence of its dominance during this period is still felt today. Many former colonies continue to use Portuguese as their official language. In addition, Portuguese influence is evident in the music, literature, cuisine, architecture, and religion of the world.
List of Portuguese-speaking countries and regions
If you’re looking to enjoy the Portuguese language and culture, you don’t have to limit yourself to Portugal. Here are all the places that use this language or have made it their own.
South America: Brazil as a Lusophone hub
Brazil is home to the largest Portuguese-speaking population in the world. It’s also the only South American nation that uses this language.
However, it should be noted that the collection of Portuguese dialects spoken here is referred to as Brazilian Portuguese, which is often distinct from European Portuguese. Brazilian Portuguese has been influenced by indigenous and African languages, lending to unique pronunciation, grammar, and vocabulary.
Over 200 million Brazilians are Portuguese speakers, and the language is carried into other parts of the world by the Brazilian diaspora.
Africa: Angola, Mozambique, and others
Portuguese is the official language of five African countries:
- Angola
- Cape Verde
- Guinea-Bissau
- Mozambique
- São Tomé and Príncipe.
Portuguese is also spoken in Equatorial Guinea, particularly in the province of Annobón.
These countries are collectively known as Lusophone Africa or Portuguese-speaking Africa. All of them were formerly occupied by Portugal.
Asia: Widespread influence in Macao and East Timor
The Portuguese language continues to be used in Portugal’s former Asian colonies.
- It is an official language in East Timor, alongside Tetum.
- In Macao, it’s a co-official language with Cantonese.
However, Macao speaks a specific dialect of the language, known as Macanese Portuguese.
Additional territories and co-official language status
In India, some people speak Portuguese, especially those from older generations. Although the language is dying out in this region, you’ll still hear it in areas like Goa, Daman and Diu.
Japan is home to a large population of Brazilian expats. As a result, Portuguese has established itself as one of the most commonly used foreign languages after English, Chinese, and Korean.
In other areas of Asia, like Indonesia and Sri Lanka, you’ll find small pockets of Portuguese speakers. They usually use some form of Portuguese-based creole.
Linguistic diversity and dialects
As I’ve already touched upon, the Portuguese you hear in Lisbon will not be the same that’s spoken in Rio de Janeiro. Similarly, the Portuguese you hear in Rio won’t be the same as in Maputo, Malabo, or Timor-Leste. As the Portuguese language spreads, it has been changed, altered, and influenced by its diverse speakers and other local languages.
Differences between European and Brazilian Portuguese
European Portuguese speakers and those who use Brazilian Portuguese will understand each other completely. However, they’ll definitely know that they hail from different parts of the world! Brazilian Portuguese has unique pronunciation, grammar, and vocabulary.
- European Portuguese speakers will often omit or drop unstressed vowel sounds, while Brazilian Portuguese retains them
- European Portuguese pronunciation is more guttural, while Brazilian Portuguese is more nasal
- European Portuguese is choppy and clipped, while Brazilian Portuguese is more melodic and fluid
- European Portuguese speakers tend to swallow or omit word endings (obrigado might become brigad), whereas Brazilian Portuguese speakers are known for enunciating more clearly
Overall, think of the difference between European and Brazilian Portuguese as similar to that between Southern English in the US and British English: you might understand it, but the sound is very different.
Unique dialects in Portuguese-speaking African countries
Where Portuguese is an official language in Africa, the countries use standard or European Portuguese in school, media, and legal proceedings. However, African dialects of Portuguese are unique in their pronunciation and colloquial vocabulary.
Local artists have perpetuated Portuguese in music and literature, solidifying the African influence on the language. It’s estimated that by the end of this century, Africa will be home to the most Portuguese speakers in the world, surpassing even Brazil.
The role of Portuguese creoles
Portuguese creoles, or mixes of Portuguese and native languages, are essential for communication between groups of people with different mother tongues. Portuguese creoles are the most common languages used by Cape Verdeans and people from the ABC islands. These creoles contribute to a strong cultural identity and are intertwined with the histories of the people who speak them.
In places like Guinea-Bissau, creoles serve as a lingua franca—or common language—between those who don’t have the same mother tongue, allowing for connection between people of different backgrounds.
Key organizations and cultural impacts
By now, you’re probably coming to understand that Portuguese is a major global language—and one with a very broad reach. Here are a few final thoughts for you to consider before immersing yourself in the language.
Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries (CPLP) overview
At the 1996 Lisbon Constitutive Summit, the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries (CPLP) was formed. The CPLP is an international organization and political association of Portuguese-speaking countries in Europe, America, Asia, and Africa. This group of nations might also be referred to as the Lusophone Commonwealth.
The CPLP is founded on the idea of cooperation and connection. It aims to champion the Portuguese language as well as foster economic collaboration.
Cultural exchange and influence of Lusophone countries
The shared Portuguese language amongst Lusophone countries contributes to cross-border relationships that impact aspects like education, technology, and trade. For example, the CPLP facilitates student exchange programs that help promote cultural awareness and understanding.
Importance of Portuguese in global communication
With over 260 million Portuguese speakers in the world—and Portuguese holding strong as the official language in countries on four different continents—it’s undeniable that Portuguese is vital for global communication. Knowing some Portuguese opens up opportunities for international collaboration in various regions of the world. So, what are you waiting for? Hurry up and start learning this historic and modern language.
FAQs
How many countries in the world speak Portuguese?
There are ten countries that have Portuguese listed as an official language: Brazil, Angola, Mozambique, Portugal, Guinea-Bissau, East Timor, Equatorial Guinea, Cape Verde, São Tomé and Príncipe, and the Macao special administrative region of China. But you’ll find Portuguese speakers outside of these countries, too. With over 260 million users worldwide, it’s the most spoken language in the southern hemisphere.
Why is Brazil the only country in South America that speaks Portuguese?
Way back in 1494—just after Columbus sailed the ocean blue—the entire world as understood by the Europeans was divided between Spain and Portugal in the Treaty of Tordesillas. In this agreement, Spain colonized the western parts of South America while Portugal occupied the eastern parts, including modern-day Brazil. As a result, Brazil speaks Portuguese while the rest of South America speaks Spanish.
What are some common greetings and phrases in Portuguese?
If you’re like me, you probably like to have a few common phrases memorized in the local language when you’re traveling to a foreign destination. Here are some Portuguese phrases you fall back on:
- Olá: Hello
- Bom dia: Good morning
- Boa tarde: Good afternoon
- Boa noite: Good night
- Por favor: Please
- De nada: You’re welcome
- Obrigado: Thank you (male speakers)
- Obrigada: Thank you (female speakers)
- Desculpe: Excuse me/Sorry
- Sim: Yes
- Não: No
- Tudo bem?: How are you?