Archive for May, 2012
Keeping in shape, em português Posted by Adir on May 18, 2012
Hey, there! TGIF! Graças a Deus que é sexta-feira! Summer’s around the corner and I’m sure many of you would like to be in shape, right? Well, this post is all about getting and being in shape, so let’s learn some useful vocabulary on this topic. Correr – to run, to go running, to go…
The Strange Story of Rambo from Manaus Posted by Rachel on May 17, 2012
Did you know that Rambo lives in Manaus, the capital of Amazonas? Well, not really, but there is a metalworker in Manaus who idolizes Sylvester Stallone and likes to make amateur movies. This short documentary tells his story: Try to answer the questions now that you’ve watched the video. 1. When did Aldenir first get…
Fita do Bomfim Posted by Rachel on May 17, 2012
If you’ve ever been to Brazil, it’s likely you’ve seen or bought a fita do Bomfim, or a Bomfim ribbon. They’re also sometimes called fitinhas do Bomfim (little Bomfim ribbons). But do you really know where they come from? The fita do Bomfim comes from the Senhor do Bomfim Church in Salvador, Bahia. These…
Housekeepers in Brazil Posted by Rachel on May 15, 2012
In Brazil, it’s very common for middle and upper-class families to have an emprega doméstica (housekeeper, or maid) working at their homes. Those who can afford it hire a woman to clean and cook; wealthier families have live-in maids. As this Folha article explains, having an empregada is a sign of status. It also says…
The Ugly Duckling in Portuguese Posted by Rachel on May 11, 2012
A great way to practice your Portuguese is to watch videos based on stories or plots you already know so it is easier to follow the dialogue. Today we’re going to practice with a popular children’s story, The Ugly Duckling, or in Portuguese, O Patinho Feio. There’s a video to watch, a story to read…
How to pronounce the “r” in Portuguese Posted by Adir on May 10, 2012
Olá, tudo bem com você? The letter R is pronounced in several ways in Portuguese. So let’s cut to the chase and see how it is done. 1. If it comes at the beginning of a word it sounds like an aspired “h” sound. The same sound happens in words starting with “enr”: rato (mouse)…
Brazil’s Real-Time Facebook Likes Posted by Rachel on May 7, 2012
C&A, a large retailer in Brazil, decided to try an experiment that combines social media and fashion in a mall in São Paulo. From Vila Mulher: Estamos sempre sendo bombardeadas com novidades fashion que acabam hipnotizando a gente para ficar sempre de olho no que há de melhor nas fast fashions. A C&A inventou mais…