[5] The dialect was originally brought by immigrants from Azores who founded several settlements in the Santa Catarina island from the 18th century onwards.

The isolation of their settlements[7] made Florianopolitan differ significantly from both Standard European and Brazilian Portuguese.

[8] Once widely spoken in the Santa Catarina island, the Florianopolitan dialect is now almost restricted to the traditional Azorean settlements, and the standard Brazilian Portuguese became the predominant variant for the island inhabitants, many of which come from other parts of Santa Catarina state, other Brazilian states, or even other countries.

Tu is used, along with its corresponding verb forms, to address people of the same or lesser age, social or professional status, or to show intimacy, as between relatives or friends.

"Você" is reserved for outsiders or to people of lesser status to stress lack of intimacy.