Archive for 'Uncategorized'
Combinar Posted by Transparent Language on May 6, 2008
The verb combinar [kome-bee-nar] has a number of meanings, but we’re going to focus on the three main ones. 1. Making plans Vamos combinar para sair na sexta-feira. Let’s make plans to go out on Friday.Já combinei com ela. I already made plans with her. Along these lines we can also say:Combinado! Agreed!2. Corresponding/matching Neste…
Tourism in Brazil: Salvador at Sea Posted by Transparent Language on May 4, 2008
The newest way to see the city of Salvador on the water is by caravela, an old-fashioned boat with sails modeled after the real boats used by the Portuguese in the 1500s. Costing R$800,000 to build, the caravel honors the 200 year anniversary of the Portuguese royal family in Brazil. Called the “Príncipe Regente,”…
Calç+ Posted by Transparent Language on Apr 29, 2008
In Portuguese, words beginning with “calç” are somewhat related, but can be a bit confusing. Don’t forget that the “ç” has an “s” sound, like the s in “snake.” Let’s take a look. 1. calça: pants. Vou comprar a calça preta. I’m going to buy black pants. 2. calçada: sidewalk. Alguns cariocas deixam os cachorros…
April 21st: Dia de Tiradentes Posted by Transparent Language on Apr 21, 2008
Today is a national holiday in Brazil, called Dia de Tiradentes, or Tiradentes Day. This holiday honors a Brazilian martyr, whose real name was Joaquim José da Silva Xavier. He was born in Minas Gerais in 1746, the son of a Portuguese father and a Brazilian mother. He was orphaned at the age of 11…
Giraffes are “married” at Rio’s Zoo Posted by Transparent Language on Apr 17, 2008
This week, the two girafas (giraffes) that live in Rio de Janeiro’s city zoo were “married” when zookeepers put them in the same enclosure. The two animals, named Zagallo and Beija-Céu, have been “dating” for a few weeks after Zagallo was moved from São Paulo to the Rio Zoo. They’ve been in separate enclosures, but…
Rare Species of Parakeet Spotted in Downtown Rio Posted by Transparent Language on Apr 4, 2008
Today, a four month-old rare species of wild parakeet was spotted in a tree outside of Central Station in downtown Rio, the equivalent of New York’s Grand Central Station. It’s one of the most polluted, urbanized and busiest parts of the city, but the aratinga (parakeet) of the Jandaia species was spotted eating his breakfast…
A very unwelcome surprise Posted by Transparent Language on Apr 2, 2008
On Monday, a man driving his car in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais had a nasty surprise. As he was driving, a baby cascavel (rattlesnake) fell onto his lap. He immediately pulled over the car, and the authorities managed to capture the snake and bring it to the Polícia Ambiental (the Environmental Police). The man and…