Canto vs. esquina
In Portuguese, distinct words are used to translate "corner" depending on whether the angle is internal or external. Generally, canto refers to an inside angle or the edge of an object, whereas esquina refers to an outside angle formed by intersecting streets. This distinction holds true for both Brazilian and European Portuguese.
Canto
A2This word refers to an interior corner (enclosed space), such as where two walls meet inside a room. It is also used to describe the sharp edge or point of an object, such as a box, table, or sheet of paper.
Vou colocar a lâmpada no canto da sala.
(I will put the lamp in the corner of the room.)
Cuidado para não bater a cabeça no canto do armário.
(Be careful not to hit your head on the corner of the cabinet.)
Assine seu nome no canto inferior do documento.
(Sign your name in the bottom corner of the document.)
O cachorro gosta de dormir no canto do sofá.
(The dog likes to sleep in the corner of the sofa.)
Esquina
A2This word refers specifically to an exterior corner formed by the intersection of two streets or roads. It describes the outer protruding angle of a city block or building.
Vamos nos encontrar na esquina perto do banco.
(Let's meet at the corner near the bank.)
Ele mora na casa de esquina.
(He lives in the corner house.)
A loja fica virando a esquina.
(The store is just around the corner.)
Olhe para os dois lados antes de atravessar a esquina.
(Look both ways before crossing the corner.)
Summary
Use canto for indoor spaces, nooks, and the physical edges of objects. Use esquina when giving directions or referring to street intersections.