Brazilian Portuguese Grammar

Triphthongs

Triphthongs are vowel groups made up of a semivowel + vowel + semivowel which form one single syllable. There are two kinds: oral and nasal triphthongs.

Oral Triphthongs

Spelling	Example	Pronunciation
uai	Paraguai Paraguay	as in Paraguay
üei	apazigüei a past form of verb to pacify	as in way
üiu	delinqüiu *a past form of verb to commit (a crime)*	ui as in quick + u as in bush
uou	aguou a past form of verb to water	u as in duke (American) + ou as in go

Nasal triphthongs

Spelling	Example	Pronunciation
uão uam	saguão *hall, foyer, lobby* enxáguam *a present form of verb to rinse*	as in won't
üem	enxágüem *a present subjunctive form of verb to rinse*	as in Wayne
uõe	saguões *halls, foyers, lobbies*	try to pronounce a w + oink

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