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this post was submitted on 06 Apr 2026
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Every country has its ignorants. Though from what I can see, most Portuguese use the term Americano/Americana which is correct.
I don’t believe that most Portuguese would use the term North-American, as that makes no sense. The USA, Mexico, and Canada are all North-American so using that to refer to people from the United States is illogical nonsense. I have faith that the Portuguese people are smart enough on the whole to know that the United States is not the only country in North America. Like I said that would be like saying the demonym for Portuguese specifically is “European”, it would make no sense.
If you insist, you can call them North-Americans, but understand that you are also referring to the people of Mexico and the people of Canada. If you try to assign all of North America to the US, you will only be pissing them off, and it reflects poorly on you and your country.
I’m trying to give your country the benefit of the doubt. Every source I can find says that most Portuguese use the correct Americano/Americana terms. If you insist that your country is full of the willfully ignorant, I will not argue it.
Not for me, for the majority of the world. American has been used to refer to people from the United States of America for nearly 300 years. To be upset about that now is just asinine.
You can, but it does not refer to United States citizens only. It refers to everybody in the United States, Mexico, Canada, and technically speaking almost two dozen other countries and states. You need to understand the difference, this is not a difficult concept.
“America” is a short name for The United States of America. It is the only country on the continent with “America” in the name. Which is also why United States Citizens are known across the world as “Americans”. It is distinct to them because it’s part of the name of their country. It is not an actual geographic place.
The United States of America is a country, which is located on the continent called North America. There is no such place as just “America” here. In most English speaking countries, or around the world. The small fraction of foreign countries who have a crude and primitive understanding of North American geography are really not a factor.
You spent half a day trying to convince people from a region that you know more about the place they live and the terms they use than they do, even though you live across an ocean. Then you cry because several people from that region educate you.
I have been very patient with you and explained this to you in great detail without insulting you, but you insist on being a culturally and geographically ignorant halfwit.
All the evidence I can find shows that most of the Portuguese use the correct terms (American) most widely. One single news article is not proof to the contrary. Anyone who uses the term “North-American” in your country is a drooling idiot.l, including you lol.
I don't even get why are we arguing what is the correct word in Portuguese
The correct word in English is not North American, so don't use it in English