How big is Portuguese vocabulary?

It's difficult to give an exact number for the size of Portuguese vocabulary because it depends on how you define "vocabulary". Here's a breakdown of factors to consider:

1. Dictionaries:

* Traditional Dictionaries: These might list 100,000 to 200,000 words, but this only represents a fraction of the total vocabulary.

* Specialized Dictionaries: They include terms specific to a field (e.g., medicine, law, technology), greatly expanding the total vocabulary.

2. Usage Frequency:

* Common Words: A smaller core vocabulary (maybe 10,000 words) is used for daily communication.

* Less Common Words: Many words exist but are seldom used in everyday speech.

* Technical Jargon: Highly specific words used in professional contexts.

3. Regional Variations:

* Brazilian Portuguese: Has its own unique words and pronunciations.

* European Portuguese: Differs slightly in pronunciation and some vocabulary.

* Other Portuguese-Speaking Countries: Each has its own regional vocabulary.

4. Neologisms and Evolving Language:

* New words are constantly being created, particularly in the digital age.

* Words can change meaning over time.

In Conclusion:

While it's impossible to give a precise number, a conservative estimate for the total vocabulary of Portuguese could be hundreds of thousands of words. However, the active vocabulary (words a person uses regularly) is much smaller and depends on their individual background and interests.