Next on my Brazilian dialect series, is probably one of the most different of Brazilian states, “Gauchês,” spoken by those who live in the state of Rio Grande do Sul (and parts of Mato Grosso do Sul), the southernmost state in Brazil.  Those who live in Rio Grande do Sul are known as gaúchos, and historically, the state is somewhat separatist, but also home to two of the most famous things to come out of Brazil: rodízio de churrasco, and Gisele Bündchen (whose birthday is tomorrow)!  Because of its proximity to Uruguay and Argentina, gaúchos also tend to incorporate a lot of castellano in their vocabulary.

To the rest of Brazil, however, gaúchos are known to have funny accents and expressions which we love to make fun of.  They tend to emphasize vowels, and roll their “r’s” almost like a Spanish “r.”  Here are some you should learn before venturing to Porto Alegre or any other city in RS!

As usual, the order goes, gauchês, português, English!

capaz!, dúvido!, Doubtful

bah, pois é, ah, hmm, i see (or whatever else when you have nothing else to say)

tchê, esse é multi-uso.., this one can be used for anything too – to exclaim, call someone – kind of like the paulista “meu,” and carioca, “cara.”

tri, muito, very – “tri legal” = very cool!

abichornado, aborrecido, triste, sad, upset

xepa ou bóia, comida, food

chambão, otário, idiot

daí tchê, oi, hi

guri, criança, menino, child, boy

oigalê!, aaêê!, yayee!

buenacha, boa, good one

pelear, brigar, argue, fight

Can you think of anything else?

Here’s a quick video that (ironically) talks about how gaúchos don’t have accents.  Do you see a difference from other Brazilian Portuguese you’ve heard?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VEK_CTSsyHk

If you haven’t seen them already, don’t forget to see what we say in other parts of Brazil: Mineirês, Baianês, Pernambuquês.