Learn to connect with Brazilian Locals!
1- Na mosca
How to use this expression:
The literal translation would be “On the fly”. Brazilians use this expression to say that they did or said something 100% correctly.
Possible translations:
On the money, Right on the bull’s eye
Examples:
Damn! That’s exactly the answer. You hit the bull’s-eye.
Caramba! É exatamente essa a resposta. Você acertou na mosca.
2- Mão de vaca
How to use this expression:
“Cow’s hand”. Brazilians use this expression to say that someone doesn’t like to spend money.
Possible translation:
Penny pincher, cheapskate
Examples:
Stop being a penny pincher and buy a new shirt!
Para de ser mão de vaca e compra uma camisa nova!
3 – Lágrima de crocodilo
How to use this expression:
“Alligators Tears”. Brazilians use this expression when someone is being fake and crying just to deceive the other person.
Possible translation
Fake tears
Examples:
Stop crying. These are fake tears.
Para de chorar. Você está sendo falso. Essas são lágrimas de Crocodilo.
4- Pagar Mico
How to use this expression:
“To pay a little monkey”. This expression is used when someone is going through some embarrassing situation, experiencing some shame.
Possible translations:
To embarrass oneself
Examples:
You drank too much and you are falling all the time. You’re embarrassing yourself!
Você bebeu muito e está caindo toda hora. Tá pagando mico!
5- Ovelha Negra
How to use this expression:
Black Ship. When someone is outside the standards imposed by society, Brazilians use this expression.
Possible translation
black sheep / outcast / trouble maker
Examples:
I have two daughters. One wants to be a doctor and the other wants to be a circus artist. It’s the black sheep of the family.
Eu tenho duas filhas. Uma quer ser médica e a outra quer ser artista de circo. É a ovelha negra da família.
6- Falar feito papagaio
How to use this expression:
Talk like a parrot. When someone is talking too much, we use this expression.
Possible translation:
Chatterbox
Examples:
My god… You’ve been talking since we arrived. You’re being a chatterbox
Meu deus.. Você está falando desde que chegamos. Está falando feito um papagaio.
7- Matar dois coelhos com uma cajadada só
How to use this expression:
Kill two rabbits with one single staff? This expression is used when someone can accomplish two missions with just one action.
Possible translation
kill 2 birds with one stone
Examples:
I’m going to study Portuguese listening to music. So I learn and still have fun. I’m going to kill two birds with one stone.
Eu vou estudar Português ouvindo música. Assim eu aprendo e ainda me divirto. Vou matar dois coelhos com uma cajadada só.
8- Uma andorinha só não faz verão
How to use this expression:
One single swallow doesn’t make any summer. Brazilians use this expression when they want to say that it takes more than one person to really make a difference or fulfill a more complicated mission.
Possible translation:
it requires more than one person to make a real difference, you can’t do i all alone
Examples:
Messi was never champion with Argentina because he is the only star on the team. it requires more than one person to make a real difference.
O Messi nunca foi campeão com a argentina porque ele é a única estrela do time. Uma andorinha só não faz verão.
9- Peixe fora d’água
How to use this expression:
Fish outta water! We use this expression when someone is uncomfortable in a situation/place.
Possible translation:
Fish outta water
Examples:
I didn’t like this place. It has nothing to do with me. I feel like a fish outta water.
Eu não gostei desse lugar. Não tem nada a ver comigo. Tô me sentindo um peixe fora d’água.
10 – De grão em grão, a galinha enche o papo
How to use this expression:
From grain to grain, the chicken fills the crop . This expression is used when we mean that we can achieve great things by constantly doing small actions.
Possible translation
one step at the time
Every day I study at least 30 minutes of Portuguese. I’m sure 1 year from now I’ll be at a very good level. One step at the time.
Todo dia eu estudo pelo menos 30 minutos de português. Tenho certeza que daqui a 1 ano eu vou estar em um nível muito bom. De grão em grão, a galinha enche o papo.
This is an example of the content I give in my classes. Schedule a free trial class and get to know my method! – Esse é um exemplo do conteúdo que eu dou em minhas aulas. Agende uma aula experimentalgratuita e conheça o meu método! –> I want to speak portuguese!!!
Support my work and offer me a coffee… or a caipirinha – Apoie o meu trabalho e me ofereça um café… ou uma caipirinha
