They are both closely related to the extent that a native Spanish or Portuguese speaker could easily understand most of the other language's vocabulary, but of course there are many differences. While the Spanish alphabet has 28 letters,the Portuguese has only 23.Although both languages have a great number of vocabulary that are spelled identically,they are still pronounced differently. If you want to read in details about the differences in vocabulary in the 2 languages and the factors determining those differences check this link: http://www.absoluteastronomy.com/topics/Differences_between_Spanish_and_Portuguese Another significant difference lies in the fact that while the Spanish language kept many of the Mozarabic vocabulary of Arabic origin ,the Portuguese don't use any of those vocabulary and replaced it instead with words of Latin roots. When it comes to the grammar both languages are very much different in their grammar too.They have difference in their tenses, prepositions, cardinal numbers, reflexive pronouns and a lot more. The Portuguese language has more phonemes than the Spanish language. Finally when comparing both language's level of importance internationally Spanish ranks higher. Portuguese language is the sixth-ranking language in terms of speakers, Spanish is the fourth most spoken language. Spanish is an operating language of both the United Nations and the European Union,while Portuguese is a working language in the European Union only.

From Wikipedia: Although Portuguese and Spanish are closely related, to the point of having a considerable degree of mutual intelligibility, there are also important differences between them, which can pose difficulties for people acquainted with one of the languages who attempt to learn the other. Both are part of a broader group known as West Iberian Romance, which also contains several minor languages or dialects with fewer speakers, all of which are mutually intelligible among themselves to some degree. There are also some significant differences between Brazilian Portuguese and European Portuguese as there are between British and American English or Spanish in Spain and Spanish in Puerto Rico. This article notes these differences below only where: * both Brazilian and European Portuguese differ not only from each other, but from Spanish as well; * both European and Latin American Spanish differ not only from each other, but also from Portuguese; or * either Brazilian or European Portuguese differs from Spanish with syntax not possible in Spanish (while the other dialect does not)

I have heard that "Грамматика португальского несложна. В отличии от русского языка португальцы используют артикли (для обозначения рода и числа) и вспомогательные глаголы (для образования времен). Связь между словами такая же, как и в русском языке, но только нет падежных окончаний (Круто!). Самое главное – запомнить сотни окончаний форм глаголов (в португальском много прошедших, будущих и настоящих времен и 4 спряжения глаголов)." Правда ли это, что португальский ну очень легкий для изучения?

Como estás?

Moй любимый – пopтyгaльcкий :)))