Portuguese has five written vowels, but each can sound differently depending on position in the word and the accent. The distinction between open and closed vowels changes the meaning of many words. In Brazilian Portuguese, vowels tend to be clearer and more stable, especially in stressed syllables. In European Portuguese, vowels tend to be more reduced in unstressed syllables and may sound shorter. Listening to and repeating words with focus on the stressed syllable helps to perceive these differences.

Some Portuguese consonants have characteristic pronunciations that change according to context and language variety. R and RR are especially notable and vary greatly between regions. LH and NH represent sounds that do not exist in English and require attention. D and T before I or E can be pronounced with palatalization in Brazilian Portuguese in many accents. Observing tongue position and air flow helps produce these sounds.

Portuguese uses nasal vowels marked by tilde, and also nasalization before consonants like M and N. Nasalization is not simply adding an N sound; it changes the resonance of the vowel. In many cases, the written consonant is not pronounced as a full N at the end of the syllable. Distinguishing between oral vowel and nasal vowel helps avoid confusion of meaning. Practicing minimal pairs with and without nasalization makes the difference clearer.

In Portuguese, every word has a stressed syllable that receives more intensity and typically maintains vowel quality. The position of the stressed syllable can be marked by accent marks or determined by orthographic rules. Changes in tonicity can create pairs of words with different meanings. Speaking naturally depends on supporting the vowel of the stressed syllable without exaggeration. Listening to words in sentences helps to perceive how stress fits into the rhythm of the utterance.

In European Portuguese, vowels in unstressed syllables are frequently reduced and may sound short or centralized. In Brazilian Portuguese, unstressed vowels tend to remain closer to the written form, especially in careful speech. Reduction is stronger in endings like -e and -o, and in prefixes and suffixes that are not heavily emphasized. This difference contributes to the distinct rhythm of each variety. Perceiving reduction helps auditory comprehension and more natural production in each accent.

The R at the end of a syllable or a word varies a lot between Brazilian and European Portuguese, and also between regions of Brazil. In European Portuguese, final R can be weak or nearly inaudible in fast speech. In Brazilian Portuguese, final R can sound like a weak consonant similar to English in some places, or as a stronger sound in others. In many accents, final R weakens more in function words and infinitive verbs. Noting this variation helps understand speakers of different backgrounds without needing to imitate every style.

The S can be pronounced as [s] or [z] depending on its position in the word and local phonological rules. Between vowels, S tends to sound like [z] in both patterns, though spelling does not change. At the end of a syllable, especially at the end of a word, S varies a lot between regions. In European Portuguese, final S of a syllable tends to sound like [ʃ] or [s], and can be more sibilant. In Brazilian Portuguese, final S can be [s] or [ʃ] depending on the accent, with [ʃ] common in Rio de Janeiro.

Portuguese uses intonation to mark questions, statements, and focus, organizing the sentence into melodic blocks. Yes-no questions tend to rise at the end, especially in Brazilian Portuguese, while questions with interrogative words tend to fall or level off. Intonation also signals continuation or termination of an idea in speech. Making natural pauses helps keep intonation clear without sounding robotic. Listening to authentic dialogues is an effective way to internalize these patterns.

The rhythm of Portuguese is syllable-based, with alternating stressed and unstressed syllables and without extreme reductions as in English. Speaking slowly does not mean artificially separating syllables, but rather maintaining natural flow with clear stress. In European Portuguese, vowel reduction creates a faster, more compact feel. In Brazilian Portuguese, rhythm tends to be more regular and often 'singing' across many accents. Practicing full phrases with emphasis on the stressed syllable helps produce a natural rhythm.

Some letter combinations represent a single sound and should be treated as a unit in pronunciation. CH normally sounds like [ʃ], the same as SH in English 'ship'. LH sounds like [ʎ], a palatal sound requiring the tongue to approach the palate. NH sounds like [ɲ], a nasal palatal. GU before E or I usually keeps the G sound, not turning into [ʒ]. Recognizing these digraphs avoids letter-by-letter reading and makes speech more fluid.