Archive for the year 2007
Fica a Vontade Posted by Transparent Language on Aug 24, 2007
Fica a vontade means make yourself at home. This is another very common, useful phrase, and is the centerpiece of Brazilian hospitality. … Continue Reading
Expressing Annoyance Posted by Transparent Language on Aug 24, 2007
Sometimes we all get a little annoyed, no matter what language we speak. This post will show you how to express your frustration in the most succinct and culturally common manner. Chatear is the first word you will need to know; it means to bother or annoy. If you are upset, you may say that…
Dia dos Namorados Posted by Transparent Language on Aug 23, 2007
Valentine’s Day in Brazil Yes, Brazilians celebrate Valentine’s Day… big time. Brazil celebrates o Dia dos Namorados on the 12th of June, as opposed the the internationally common 14th of February. I guess there is enough to celebrate in Brazil in fevereiro, what with Carnaval and all. The 12th of June is véspera the day…
Jazzafinado Posted by Transparent Language on Aug 23, 2007
This talented band from Rio shows how deeply intertwined samba and jazz have become within the elite community of musicians in the Cidade Maravilhosa. To boot, the members of Jazzafinado are, I believe, all under 30. The name is a play on words. Afinar means to tune as in ‘to tune an instrument. João Gilberto…
Combinado? Posted by Transparent Language on Aug 22, 2007
Making social plans in Brazil requires an extra step. Without this step, one can expect to be invariably ‘stood up’ without explanation. After coming up with an idea for, let’s say, nighttime plans with friends (um programa), it is imperative not to assume that you have all agreed on actually doing those plans. The right…
o Alienista: free audiobook Posted by Transparent Language on Aug 22, 2007
o Alienista is a classic piece of Brazilian literature, written by Machado de Assis and published in 1882 as part of the Papéis Avulsos. The story is quite funny as Machado de Assis was adept at presenting social commentary through humor. Set in 18th century rural Brazil, the plot centers on an obsessive-compulsive doctor’s attempts…
The Verb ‘Dar’ Posted by Transparent Language on Aug 20, 2007
The use of the verb Dar to give with the alternate meaning to be possible is ubiquitous in Brazil. Using dar in this manner is different from using poder; dar indicates possibility and likelihood of an occurrence in an impersonal way. Poder serves to specify literal ability: he can complete the task, it is believable…