Which is easier to learn, Spanish or Portuguese?

Spanish is typically seen to be simpler for English speakers to learn because of its simpler grammar and pronunciation. However, a learner's experience and history might also affect how easy it is for them to learn. Portuguese may be a little more difficult for some learners due to its intricacies, especially in verb conjugations and sound. read less

Spanish is generally considered easier to learn than Portuguese for most learners, especially for English speakers. But the real answer depends on your native language, goals, and exposure. Here’s a detailed comparison: ✅ Why Spanish Is Often Easier Pronunciation is more straightforward Spanish is more phonetic: what you see is (mostly) what you pronounce. Portuguese has nasal vowels, reduced vowels, and more irregular stress patterns. E.g., “bom” (Portuguese for good) has a nasal sound that's hard for beginners. More consistent grammar Spanish verb conjugations and grammar rules are slightly more regular. Portuguese includes things like the personal infinitive and mesoclisis, which Spanish lacks. Wider global exposure Spanish is more commonly taught and used around the world (spoken in 20+ countries). More Spanish media, courses, and learning communities are available. Mutual intelligibility (comprehension advantage) Portuguese speakers often understand Spanish better than vice versa. Spanish learners may struggle with spoken Portuguese due to its complex sounds and mumbling speech (especially European Portuguese). ✅ When Portuguese Might Be Easier (or better) If you already know French or Italian Portuguese shares a lot with French in terms of nasal sounds and rhythm. If your focus is Brazil Brazilian Portuguese is often considered easier and clearer to understand than European Portuguese. Brazil is a rising global power and culturally rich—music, TV, football, etc. If you want to learn both eventually Learning Spanish first can give you a solid base for tackling Portuguese later—it’s easier to go from Spanish to Portuguese than the other way around. 📌 In Short: Aspect Spanish Portuguese Pronunciation Easier, clearer Harder, nasal, irregular sounds Grammar More regular Slightly more complex Global reach Widely spoken, more resources Fewer countries, still global Listening difficulty Easier to understand Harder, especially in Portugal Mutual intelligibility Easier to read each other Portuguese speakers understand Spanish better If you’re aiming to pick up a language quickly for communication, Spanish is the better starting point. But if your interest is in Brazil, Lusophone Africa, or Portugal, then Portuguese is definitely worth the challenge—and a beautiful language to learn! read less