Archive for the year 2008
Wal-mart to Expand Brazilian Operation Posted by Transparent Language on Aug 14, 2008
The North American Wal-mart corporation first set up shop in Brazil in 1995, and since has established 318 stores throughout the country. It currently employs 70,000 people, and with its new plan, will employ 9,000 more. Wal-mart Americas CEO Craig Herket met with President Lula this week in Brasilia, where they discussed Wal-mart’s plan…
Brazilian Fruit Series: Part I Posted by Transparent Language on Aug 13, 2008
In this new series, we’re going to discuss different types of fruit that are native to Brazil. The cupuaçu fruit is native to the Brazilian Amazon rainforest, and is a cousin of the cacau plant. Indigenous peoples of the Amazon have eaten the fruit for generations, and its juice has been used to induce labor…
How to say hello in Portuguese Posted by Transparent Language on Aug 12, 2008
Since it’s been a while since we’ve gone way back to basics, today we’re going to look at how to greet someone in Brazilian Portuguese. 1. Olá! [oh-LAH] This means “hello!” It’s the more formal way to say hello. 2. Oi! [oy] This means “hi.” It’s the slightly less formal way to say hello…
Lula Pushes for 2016 Olympics Posted by Transparent Language on Aug 11, 2008
President Lula was in China this week, along with Rio de Janeiro’s governor Sergio Cabral to promote the city of Rio for the 2016 Summer Olympic Games. Since the Olympics has never been held in South America, Lula pushed for the games to be held in Brazil, citing the country’s growing economy and better infrastructure…
Brazilian Profile: Marta Posted by Transparent Language on Aug 8, 2008
One of Brazil’s biggest soccer stars is Marta, voted best female player in the world for the past two years. Pelé nicknamed her “Pelé in Skirts.” She’s played all over the world. And she’s only twenty two years old. She will play for Brazil at the Beijing Olympics, and already kicked off the games with…
International Capoeira Festival Posted by Transparent Language on Aug 7, 2008
Though capoeira, a Brazilian dance form that mixes martial arts and movement, is most prominent in Salvador, Bahia, it is now practiced all over Brazil. In fact, this August, Brazil’s big international capoeira festival is being held in a less likely place: Belo Horizonte, the capital of Minas Gerais. From the 4th to the 10th…
Sem graça Posted by Transparent Language on Aug 6, 2008
“Sem graça” is a good term to know since it’s applicable in a few situations. If you think of “graça” coming from the word “engraçado,” which means funny, you should be able to remember the different meanings. Let’s take a look. 1. Not funny Este filme é sem graça. This movie isn’t funny. Ele não…