The Seasons in Portuguese – European Portuguese Vocabulary Lesson!

One of the aspects learners emphasize most is vocabulary. Of course, like most other languages, Portuguese has hundreds of thousands of different words. Plus, it is unlikely for native speakers to know them all, let alone students.

But many terms are basic. You simply must know them to communicate effectively. Among them are the names of the seasons. Whether you are planning a trip to Portugal or have visited the country already, you know you have to pick the right season. Plus, if you are learning Portuguese, knowing the seasons goes a long way in organizing your travel plans and relating to the locals.

Below, you will discover more about the seasons in Portuguese. You will explore weather-related vocabulary and get a free lesson on the seasons and months in European Portuguese. Additionally, you will watch a video that will teach you how to pronounce many of these terms and how to apply them correctly.

The Four Seasons in Portuguese (European Portuguese Focus)

The four seasons in Portuguese are:

• Primavera (Spring)
• Verão (Summer)
• Outono (Fall)
• Inverno (Winter)

You usually apply a definite article a (the, feminine) or o (the, masculine) to refer to them. So, you would say A primavera, but O verão, O outono, and O inverno. Go through each season and explore more vocabulary related to it. Plus, dig into the Portuguese culture to discover local idioms and their correct translation.

At Portuguese with Carla & Friends, we want you to reach your language learning goals the best (and fastest) way possible. You will not go through long memorization sessions or boring textbooks. We will not teach you the pitch-perfect theory nobody actually speaks. Instead, we will help you learn real-life Portuguese as the natives speak and live it. Want to discover how? Click HERE!

Spring (Primavera)

Starting with spring: the Portuguese term for it is Primavera. In Portugal, it includes the months of March (março), April (abril), May (maio), and June (junho). Spring is a beautiful season in Portugal, with trees blooming everywhere. There are even a few flower festivals, like the one in Madeira.

Here are 10 words related to the spring season:

• floração (blooming)
• pólen (pollen)
• andorinha (swallow)
• margarida (daisy)
• borboleta (butterfly)
• prado (meadow)
• botão de flor (flower bud)
• chuva miudinha (light drizzle)
• abelha (bee)
• jardim (garden)

Summer (Verão)

The summer (Verão) months – June (junho), July (julho), August (agosto), and September (setembro) – make up the most popular season in Portugal. Tourists flock to the country known for its golden-sand beaches and sunny weather.

Here are 10 words related to the summer season:

• praia (beach)
• calor (heat)
• gelado (ice cream)
• ondas (waves)
• protetor solar (sunscreen)
• churrasco (barbecue)
• bronzeado (tan)
• pôr do sol (sunset)
• férias (vacation)
• melancia (watermelon)

Fall (Outono)

The fall (Outono) in Portugal is the Vindimas (grape harvest) season. It includes September (setembro), October (outubro), November (novembro), and December (dezembro). By late November, the weather is often rainy.

Here are 10 words related to the fall season:

• folhas secas (dry leaves)
• castanha (chestnut)
• bolota (acorn)
• nevoeiro (fog)
• vindima (grape harvest)
• chuva intensa (heavy rain)
• vento fresco (cool wind)
• ouriço (hedgehog)
• cogumelo (mushroom)
• mantas (blankets)

Winter (Inverno)

Winter in Portugal is called Inverno. It features the months of December (dezembro), January (janeiro), February (fevereiro), and March (março). Even though the country has a mild Mediterranean climate, some regions get really cold. In fact, the natives often use the expression: Está um frio de rachar (It’s freezing cold).

Here are 10 words related to the winter season:

• neve (snow)
• lareira (fireplace)
• cachecol (scarf)
• chuva (rain)
• geada (frost)
• cacau quente (hot cocoa)
• manta (blanket)
• vento gelado (icy wind)
• botas (boots)
• pinheiro (pine tree)

Portuguese Vocabulary for Seasons and The Weather

Here are 10 examples of words related to the seasons and weather along with their English translation. Add them to your vocabulary notebook and try to use them when you speak Portuguese!

• solstício (solstice)
• equinócio (equinox)
• chuva (rain)
• calor (heat)
• frio (cold)
• folhas caídas (fallen leaves)
• brisa (breeze)
• neve (snow)
• tempestade (storm)
• florescer (blooming)

Seasonal Calendar Differences: Europe vs Brazil

Since Portugal is in the Northern hemisphere, and Brazil is in the Southern hemisphere, the seasons are reversed. The names of the seasons and months are the same, and so are most vocabulary terms. However, idioms change a lot, since they reflect local culture, history, and habits. Here is the yearly season calendar for both countries:

• Spring:
  • Portugal: 21st March to 20th June
  • Brazil: 22nd September to 20th December
• Summer:
  • Portugal: 21st June to 22nd September
  • Brazil: 21st December to 20th March
• Autumn/Fall:
  • Portugal: 23rd September to 20th December
  • Brazil: 21st March to 20th June
• Winter:
  • Portugal: 21st December to 20th March
  • Brazil: 21st June to 21st September

Now that you have learned the terms for the seasons, it is time to explore Portuguese pronunciation!

Keep Learning European Portuguese

You might start learning Portuguese by exploring the names of the months and the seasons. But you will soon want to move on to more complex topics. After all, learning a language is all about communicating, and for that, you will need to know how to put actual sentences together.

At Portuguese with Carla & Friends, we created a unique program for you to dive into the world of Portuguese. You will learn more than theory and verb conjugations. Instead, your progress will be focused on using and applying the language in real life, while connecting with the local culture. Click the button below to learn more!

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Watch Our YouTube Video! – Portuguese Seasons

Watch the video below to explore and master pronunciation! Keep practicing to sound natural while saying the words in this post and including them in everyday phrases.

Plus, get a free lesson here! – https://portuguesewithcarla.com/meses

 

 

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As a base, we used scientifically proven techniques to help with master pronunciation, phrase construction, oral understanding, grammar, and all the necessary bits to get you to fluency. At the same time, having learned foreign languages ourselves, we know the process needs to be engaging, varied, and enjoyable. The whole thing is presented as an adventure. It’s a course like no other, trust us!

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