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We pronounce 'r' in Portuguese as 'h' in english words. For example: the word 'mice' in Portuguese is 'rato' which we pronounce as if it was 'hato'. Similar to 'hat', 'hate' or 'hit'.

But never as the english word 'rat'. For us it sounds like 'rrrrrrrat', because the 'r' is too long in the pronunciation.

Summarizing: Portuguese don't use long 'r' phonemes when the word starts with 'r'. We usually pronounce as if the word starts with 'h' in english.

The long 'r' is used when 'r' or 'rr' appears in the middle of the words.



Actually, I am familiar with a rolling r such as in English 'rat', used in place of the the initial R or double RR, in rural central and northern Portugal.

The linked article acknowledges this at the end


>Summarizing: Portuguese don't use long 'r' phonemes when the word starts with 'r'. We usually pronounce as if the word starts with 'h' in english.

Either I didn't understand what you mean or I have never seen any Portuguese native speaker (including me) pronouncing it like you say we do.




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