portoghese

Portoghese is the term used in Italian and in some Romance languages to denote things related to Portugal or to the Portuguese people and language. As a demonym, portoghese designates a person from Portugal; as an adjective, it describes anything connected with Portugal, its culture, or its language. In Italian, the masculine and feminine forms are the same: portoghese.

In linguistic contexts, portoghese can refer to the Portuguese language. The standard Italian designation for the language is portoghese. The language has several major varieties, including European Portuguese and Brazilian Portuguese, with differences in pronunciation, vocabulary, and syntax.

Etymology and usage notes: the Italian term portoghese traces back to medieval toponyms such as Portucale, the region around present-day Porto, which contributed to the formation of the name Portugal. In historical and literary usage, portoghese appears alongside related terms such as lusitano or Portogallo (the Italian name for Portugal). It is distinct from the Portuguese self-designation, which in its own language is português (masculine) and portuguesa (feminine).

See also: Lusitano; Lusitania; Portuguese language.