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Entrepreneurship in Brazil Posted by Rachel on May 29, 2012
In Brazil, web startups are growing faster than ever as Brazilian and foreign investors alike are banking on the success of new online ventures. But Brazil’s startups aren’t just websites; they are also small businesses that grow into much bigger ones. Empreendedorismo, or entrepreneurship, is a hot topic in Brazil now given the growth of…
Facial Hair in Portuguese Posted by Rachel on May 25, 2012
Brazilians are very strict about hygiene, and for men, facial hair care is important. Let’s look at some vocabulary: pelos faciais – facial hair bigode – mustache barba – beard costeleta – sideburns cavanhaque – goatee barbear – to shave barbeador – razor aparador de pelos – hair clipper loção pós-barba – aftershave creme de…
Copa Libertadores Posted by Rachel on May 24, 2012
There are seemingly countless football tournaments in Brazil, but one of the biggest and most important ones is the Libertadores Cup, known as Copa Santander Libertadores da América, or Copa Libertadores for short. Named after the South American liberators who fought for independence, the tournament is made up of 38 city teams in Latin America that…
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…