Brazilian Portuguese Grammar

Consonant clusters

Consonant clusters (encontros consonantais) are pairs of consonants that appear together in a word, but are pronounced as two different clear sounds, such as in plant, school, etc.

Most clusters are formed by consonant + r or consonant + l.

Consonant + r clusters:

Portuguese	English
bronze	bronze
democracia	democracy
drama	drama
fraco	weak
grátis	free
prato	dish
tradição	tradition

Consonant + l clusters:

Portuguese	Meaning
emblema	emblem
clima	climate
inflamar	to swell
glicerina	glycerine
Plutão	Pluto

Other clusters in the language (both consonants are pronounced):

Portuguese	English
pneu	tire
psicólogo	psychologist
gnomo	gnome

Visit Sound Files to hear the sounds on Alphabet & Sounds