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More than just a cat Posted by on Apr 3, 2008 in Learning

In Brazilian Portuguese, the word “gato” has three very different meanings.

1. Cat
Example: A velinha tem cinco gatos.
The old lady has five cats.

2. Cute, hot, or attractive person
Examples: Seu irmão é tão gato!
Your brother is so cute!

Eu acho ela muito gata.
I think she’s really hot.

3. Stolen/illegal (usually referring to a service, like TV or electricity)

Examples: A eletricidade na favela é gata; ninguém paga por ela.
The electricity in the favela is stolen; no one pays for it.

Eu vejo a TV de graça porque o cabo é gato.
I watch TV for free because my cable’s illegal.

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