Archive by Author
Hareburger Posted by Rachel on Dec 8, 2011
With a booming economy and plenty of room of opportunity, Brazil has more entrepreneurs than ever. One is Raphael Marques da Silva Krás Borges, a former communications student from Rio who began selling vegetarian burgers on the beach to earn money for a vacation. He became a popular local figure for his unique and zany…
Quem Te Viu, Quem Te Vê Posted by Rachel on Dec 5, 2011
Today we’re going to learn a useful expression and see how it’s used in a song, too. Quem te viu, que te vê literally translates as he who saw you, sees you. It means that a person has changed a great deal and is no longer how he or she used to be. It could…
E-Commerce Vocabulary Posted by Rachel on Nov 30, 2011
While Black Friday and Cyber Monday are commercial creations from the U.S. centered around an American holiday, some stores in Brazil held special sales with the same names this week. It’s partially because of the growth of the Brazilian market, the number of multinational stores now operating in Brazil, and the increase in e-commerce. Let’s…
Movimento Gota D’Agua Posted by Rachel on Nov 28, 2011
With the growth of Brazil’s economy has come the need for more energy. The government proposed a plan for a hydroelectric plant called Belo Monte, which is under construction in the state of Pará. But because of environmental concerns and the displacement of indigenous tribes, the project has come under fire. Earlier this month, Brazilian…
Ways to Say Thank You in Portuguese Posted by Rachel on Nov 24, 2011
Continuing with our lessons in how to show gratitude in Portuguese, here are several ways to say thank you in Portuguese. 1. obrigado – thank you This is the most standard way to say thank you in both formal and informal situations. If you’re a man, you use obrigado, and if you’re a woman, you…
Zumbi dos Palmares Posted by Rachel on Nov 22, 2011
In Brazil, this past Sunday was Dia Nacional da Consciência Negra, or Black Awareness Day, when the country celebrates its African heritage. The holiday is celebrated on November 20th each year to honor one of Brazil’s heroes, Zumbi dos Palmares, who died on November 20, 1695. He led one of the largest quilombos (fugitive settlements)…
Showing Gratitude in Portuguese Posted by Rachel on Nov 21, 2011
For those of us in the U.S., Thanksgiving is fast approaching, and it’s a time where we show gratidão (gratitude) for the good things in our lives. So today, we’re going to learn how to express gratitude in Portuguese. 1. agradecer – to appreciate, to thank, to be thankful for Agradeço a Deus que ela…