A1Lesson 6: Accents & Stress Patterns
Portuguese words are classified by which syllable carries the stress, with specific accent rules determining when written accents are needed, crucial for correct pronunciation and meaning.
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| Type | Stress Position | Example | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proparoxytone | 3rd from end | MÉ-di-co | ~5% |
| Paroxytone | 2nd from end | ca-SA | ~80% |
| Oxytone | Last syllable | ca-FÉ | ~15% |
The default pattern - most common!
ALL have written accents - no exceptions!
| Word Type | Ending | Accent? | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oxytone | -a, -e, -o | YES | sofá, café |
| Oxytone | -r, -l, -z, -u, -i | NO | amor, Brasil |
| Paroxytone | -a, -e, -o, -em | NO | casa, gente |
| Paroxytone | -r, -l, -n, -x, -i | YES | fácil, táxi |
| Proparoxytone | any | ALWAYS | médico, prático |
Stress position changes meaning:
| Word 1 | Meaning | Word 2 | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| sábia | wise woman | sabia | knew |
| prático | practical | pratico | I practice |
| médico | doctor | medico | I medicate |
| público | public | publico | I publish |
Adding -s can change stress category:
