The 15 most difficult English words for Portuguese speakers

As a native Portuguese speaker learning English, you may have encountered words that appear impossible to pronounce correctly. It is not your fault and you are definitely not alone. Portuguese and English have phonetic differences that render certain sounds unfamiliar. This makes pronunciation challenges that can affect your fluency and overall communication. 

Leo, part of our Marketing team here at English Path, is a native Portuguese speaker who learnt English here with us at our EP Dublin campus. He has helped us compile the list of difficult words when learning to grasp the English language. 

Some difficult English words for Portuguese speakers 

The key phonetic differences between Portuguese and English make certain words particularly challenging for learners to pronounce. The following examples highlight terms Portuguese speakers commonly mispronounce: 

Comfortable 

Why it is difficult: The combination of the soft ‘r’ sound and the flap ‘t’ (which sounds like a quick ‘d’) creates confusion. Portuguese speakers may struggle with both sounds, as the Portuguese ‘r’ is tapped or rolled and the flap ‘t’ does not exist in Portuguese. 

Pronunciation tip: Break it down: COM-for-tuh-bull. Focus on making the 't' sound softer, almost like a quick 'd' sound between vowels. 

Example: This sofa is incredibly comfortable for reading. 

Psychology 

Why it is difficult: The 'ps' consonant cluster at the beginning (where the 'p' is silent) and the 'ch' pronounced as 'k' are unfamiliar to Portuguese speakers. Portuguese has limited consonant clusters, making this particularly challenging. 

Leo picked this word out in particular as a challenge to master. "It can be really easy to want to pronounce the ‘p’ at the start", he said. 

Pronunciation tip: Remember that 'psy' sounds like 'sigh' and 'cho' sounds like 'ko.' Practice: sigh-KOL-uh-jee. 

Example: She studied psychology at university. 

Specific 

Why it is difficult: The 'sp' consonant cluster at the beginning has no equivalent in Portuguese and the combination of consonants and vowels throughout the word is not typical in Portuguese phonetics. 

Pronunciation tip: Practice the 'sp' sound separately before adding the rest of the word: spuh-SIF-ik. 

Example: Could you be more specific about the requirements? 

Fifth

Why it is difficult: Portuguese speakers have a notorious problem with this. The combination of 'f' and 'th' sounds in succession, both of which are absent or problematic in Portuguese, makes this incredibly challenging.

Pronunciation tip: Practice each sound separately - 'fif' then 'th' before combining them. Place your tongue between your teeth for the 'th' sound. 

Example: This is my fifth attempt at the exam. 

Thoroughly 

Pronunciation: /ˈθʌr.ə.li/ 

Why it is difficult: Double trouble – two 'th' sounds in one word. Portuguese speakers often substitute the 't' or 'd' sounds for 'th,' which changes the meaning entirely. Leo agreed; this one is a real difficult word! 

Pronunciation tip: Focus on tongue placement between your teeth for both 'th' sounds: THUR-uh-lee. 

Example: She thoroughly checked all the documents. 

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Developed 

Why it is difficult: The past tense '-ed' ending trips up many Portuguese speakers. In Portuguese, consonant clusters are rare, so speakers may add an extra vowel sound, saying 'develop-ed' instead of 'developt.' 

Pronunciation tip: Remember that the 'e' in '-ed' is usually silent unless the verb ends in a 't' or 'd' sound. Say, dih-VEL-upT. 

Example: The company developed a new marketing strategy. 

Necessary 

Why it is difficult: The vowel sounds in this word - particularly the 'e' and 'a' - are challenging for Portuguese speakers to replicate accurately due to the limited vowel range in Portuguese. 

Pronunciation tip: Break it into syllables: NEC-ess-air-ee. Practise each vowel sound individually. 

Example: It is necessary to submit the form by Friday. 

Environment 

Why it is difficult: The 'v' sound followed by 'ir' creates an unusual combination for Portuguese speakers and the vowel sounds throughout the word require precision. 

Pronunciation tip: en-VY-run-ment. Pay attention to the 'vy' sound combination. 

Example: We must protect the environment for future generations. 

Right 

Why it is difficult: The English 'ai' diphthong in 'right' does not exist in Portuguese, making it challenging to produce the correct vowel sound. The silent 'gh' adds another layer of complexity. 

Pronunciation tip: Focus on the 'ai' sound like in 'eye': RITE. 

Example: Turn right at the traffic lights. 

Months 

Why it is difficult: This word combines the dreaded 'th' sound with a final consonant cluster 'ths,' which is extremely rare in Portuguese. 

Pronunciation tip: Break it down: MUN-ths. Practise the 'th' with your tongue between your teeth, then add the 's.' 

Example: The project will take several months to complete. 

Little 

Why it's difficult: The 'dark L' at the end of syllables is particularly challenging. In Brazilian Portuguese, the L at the end of a syllable sounds almost like a 'w' or 'u,' so 'little' might sound like 'lit-too.' 

Pronunciation tip: Keep your tongue against the roof of your mouth for the final 'l' sound: LIT-uhl. 

Example: Would you like a little sugar in your tea? 

Walked 

Why it's difficult: Another past tense challenge in which Portuguese speakers may add an extra vowel, saying 'walk-ed' instead of 'walkt.' The final consonant cluster 'kt' is uncommon in Portuguese. 

Surprisingly, it was 'walked' which Leo said Portuguese speakers struggled the most with in general! "Despite seeming simple, 'walked' was definitely the word that caused the biggest issues when learning English!", Leo told us. 

Pronunciation tip: The 'e' is silent - say WAWKT as one syllable. 

Example: We walked along the beach at sunset. 

Clothes 

Why it is difficult: The 'th' sound followed immediately by an 's' creates a consonant cluster foreign to Portuguese speakers. Many pronounce it 'close' instead. 

Pronunciation tip: Think of it as two separate sounds - 'cloth' + 's': KLOH-thz. 

Example: I need to buy some new work clothes. 

World 

Why it is difficult: The combination of the 'w,' soft 'r,' and 'ld' cluster creates multiple challenges. The vowel sound is also quite different from that of any Portuguese vowel. 

Pronunciation tip: WURLD. Focus on keeping the 'r' soft and not rolling it. 

Example: She travelled around the world last year. 

Rhythm 

Why it is difficult: This word has no vowels in its main syllables (only the letter 'y') and the combination of sounds is extremely unusual for Portuguese speakers. The 'th' sound adds to the difficulty. 

Pronunciation tip: Think of it as RI-thm, with a very short 'i' sound and tongue between teeth for 'th.' 

Example: The rhythm of the music was infectious. 

Common pronunciation challenges Portuguese speakers face 

Beyond individual words, Portuguese speakers should be aware of the following recurring challenges: 

Missing the 'i' sound in final syllables 

Portuguese speakers frequently miss the 'i' sound in the last syllable of words, particularly in business contexts. Words ending with -cy, -ty, -gy and -dy should have a strong, clear 'eeee' sound at the end. 

Key tip: Remember not to drop the final 'y' sound. It should be pronounced as a clear 'eeee' to maintain clarity in professional communication.

Plural forms and verb forms: The missing '-iz' sound 

Words ending in -ces, -ses, -ges, -zes and -ches require an additional syllable that sounds like 'iz.' Portuguese speakers often miss this sound entirely, which can affect meaning dramatically. 

While this sound may feel unnatural because it genuinely adds an extra syllable to the word, it is essential for clarity. 

Common mistake example:

'The company offers three services' - if you say 'SER-vis' instead of 'SER-vi-siz,' it sounds like 'service' (singular) instead of 'services' (plural).

Past tense verbs: The silent '-ed' trap

One of the most critical pronunciation challenges for Portuguese speakers is the past tense ending. For verbs ending in -ped, -ced, -ked, -ched and -ged, the 'e' in '-ed' is completely silent. 

Portuguese speakers often add an extra vowel sound, saying 'stop-id' instead of 'stopt.' This can dramatically change the meaning and cause confusion. 

The rule: 

When a verb ends in a voiceless consonant sound (p, k, ch, c, etc.), the '-ed' ending is pronounced as a 't' sound with no 'e' sound at all. 

Exception: Only pronounce the 'e' in '-ed' when the base verb ends in a 't' or 'd' sound: 

Wanted - WON-ted (pronounce the 'e') 

Needed - NEE-ded (pronounce the 'e') 

Decided - de-SY-ded (pronounce the 'e') 

Vowel sound confusion 

Final consonant clusters

Portuguese speakers often struggle with words ending in multiple consonants: 

Months (consonant cluster ‘nth’) - often becomes 'mont' 

Asks (consonant cluster ‘sks’) - often becomes 'ask' 

Texts (consonant cluster ‘kts’) - often becomes 'text' 

Practice tip: Keep the final 's' and consonant clusters intact.  Grammatical accuracy depends on every sound. 

Why mastering pronunciation isn’t easy on your own 

Mastering pronunciation is not easy; especially without the right guidance. Many learners understand the rules but still struggle to apply them in real conversation. This is because pronunciation isn’t just about knowing what sounds to make; it’s about training your ear and speech habits over time. The most effective way to improve pronunciation is through practice with Native speakers, who could correct you in real time and help you build confident, accurate speech. 

Joining an English class can be highly impactful, as it gives you structured learning, regular speaking opportunities and access to qualified teachers. They can identify your gaps, correct mistakes instantly and guide you with proven techniques. 

Master English language with English Path 

At English Path, you do not just learn English, you live it. Our immersive teaching approach, expert trainers, and supportive international community help you build real-world communication skills. Whether you are improving pronunciation, preparing for university, or boosting your career prospects, English Path gives you the tools and environment to truly master the English language. 

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