Archive for 'Economy'
Regiões (regions) do Brasil Posted by Ester on May 18, 2015
In order to understand Brasil, the language and the culture it is important to know more about each one of the 5 regiões (regions). Brasil has 27 unidades federativas (federative units): * 26 estados (states) * 1 Distrito Federal (Federal District) The country is divided in 5 regiões: Norte (North), Nordeste (Northeast), Centro-oeste (West-Central), Sudeste (Southeast) and…
Extreme Poverty Documentary Posted by Rachel on Dec 13, 2011
The Brazilian government’s TV channel, TVNBR, released a very interesting short documentary about extreme poverty in Brazil this week. While Brazil has become a development success story due to a growing middle class and declining levels of poverty, this documentary points out that pockets of extreme poverty still persist. The film focuses on two cities…
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…
Brazil Economic News Posted by Rachel on Nov 7, 2011
If you’re an intermediate or advanced Portuguese learner, it’s important to become familiar with terms about the economy and trade, since Brazil has become one of the largest economies in the world. Here are a few recent articles to test your understanding and to see key vocabulary terms in practice. Taxa de juros é a…
Brazil’s EU Bailout Plan Posted by Rachel on Sep 20, 2011
With the Brazilian economy still going strong despite a slight slowdown, the Brazilian government is spearheading a plan to try to save the European economy. Let’s read about the plan in Portuguese, and try to answer the questions. From Reuters Brasil: “O Brasil vai propor aos outros países do Brics que disponibilizem bilhões de dólares…
New Brazilian Commercials Posted by Rachel on Dec 8, 2010
Brazil is known for having excellent PR firms which produce some really cool commercials, so here are a few recent ones for you to test your listening comprehension skills: Havaianas Flip Flops Part PSA, Part Commercial Why are the guys in flip flops in trouble? Brastemp A beautiful video that went viral Who organized the…
Brazilian Firm Buys Out Burger King Posted by Rachel on Sep 3, 2010
Hot off the presses! Today, 3G Capital, a Brazilian private equity firm, bought out Burger King for several billion dollars. 3G is backed by several Brazilian businessmen, including billionaire Jorge Paulo Lemann and his partners Marcel Telles and Carlos Alberto Sicupira. The company already has major or partial stakes in Anheuser-Busch InBev, one of the…