Patterns between two languages are a great way to quickly build vocabulary, as they make it easier to memorize words.

In this lesson I will show you 38 words that are nearly the same in Portuguese and in English. These words follow the pattern:

• English ending in –ary
• Portuguese ending in –ário / -ária

For example:

• English: visionary
• Portuguese: visionário/visionária

Improve Your Brazilian Portuguese Pronunciation

Working with words that are similar in English and in Portuguese is great to practice pronunciation because you can really compare how the same syllables are pronounced in the two languages.

Listen closely to the pronunciation of the words in Brazilian Portuguese. Don’t be fooled by the fact that you understand the word. Make sure that you truly get its pronunciation.

Notice that the words in Portuguese have the graphic accent that we call acento agudo (´). It indicates where to place emphasis when you pronounce the word.

Additional Lessons Using Patterns

I have other lessons that use different patterns between English and Portuguese to teach you vocabulary and pronunciation. Check them out on my Portuguese Starter Kit page.

Here are the 38 Words and the Video

Below is a list of 38 words that follow the pattern –ary –> ário. In the video, I say the 18 words that are in bold below to help you practice pronunciation.

To learn more about patterns between English and Portuguese, I recommend the book Brazilian Portuguese Vocabulary Builder, by Tom Means. In this book you will find 4,000 words that follow 24 word-ending patterns. It comes with a CD for listening practice.

English: -ary	Português: -ário
Adversary	Adversário/a
Anniversary	Aniversário
Arbitrary	Arbitrário/a
Beneficiary	Beneficiário/a
Centenary	Centenário/a
Commentary	Comentário
Contrary	Contrário/a
Culinary	Culinário/a
Dictionary	Dicionário
Documentary	Documentário
Extraordinary	Extraordinário/a
Glossary	Glossário
Hereditary	Hereditário/a
Honorary	Honorário/a
Imaginary	Imaginário/a
Incendiary	Incendiário/a
Intermediary	Intermediário/a
Involuntary	Involuntário/a
Itinerary	Itinerário
Literary	Literário/a
Monetary	Monetário/a
Necessary	Necessário/a
Ordinary	Ordinário/a
Ovary	Ovário
Primary	Primário/a
Proprietary	Proprietário/a
Revolutionary	Revolucionário/a
Salary	Salário
Sanctuary	Santuário
Sanitary	Sanitário/a
Secondary	Secundário/a
Secretary	Secretário/a
Sedentary	Sedentário/a
Temporary	Temporário/a
Veterinary	Veterinário/a
Visionary	Visionário/a
Vocabulary	Vocabulário
Voluntary	Voluntário/a

 

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