The Word Graça Posted by Rachel on Oct 25, 2010
Continuing in our vocabulary series from last week, we’re going to take a closer look at the word graça to examine its several meanings and uses. 1. De graça – free; no cost Example: A comida no evento é de graça. The food at the event is free. 2. Engraçado – funny Example: Ele é…
Untranslatable Portuguese Words Posted by Rachel on Oct 22, 2010
There’s much ado in the linguist community about words that are difficult to translate, and two Portuguese words often appear on lists of untranslatable words. But I’m going to argue that while both are complex words, they’re not untranslatable. 1. Cafuné While this word encompasses a concept rather than a single word, it’s pretty straightforward…
The Verb Chutar Posted by Rachel on Oct 20, 2010
You’ll find that in Portuguese, there are quite a few soccer vocabulary words, phrases or expressions that have second and third meanings that have different, real-life applications, but are related to the physical actions from the sport. One example is the verb chutar. It has a couple of different meanings that all derive from its…
Paulistanês: Speaking Like You’re From São Paulo City Posted by polyana on Oct 18, 2010
Continuing with our “getting to know Brazilian accents & regional sayings,” series, I realized I hadn’t written about Paulistanês, the “language” spoken in São Paulo city, where I’m currently living and hear everyday! The funny thing about people who live in the city of São Paulo is that they think everyone else has an accent…
Wine in Brazil Posted by Rachel on Oct 18, 2010
For some foreigners considering Brazilian agriculture, something like soybeans or coffee might come to mind, rather than wine. For those more familiar with Brazil, Rio Grande do Sul might be the only place you think of when you think of Brazilian viticulture. But it may come as a surprise to some that despite having several…
Brazilian Profile: Carlos Drummond de Andrade Posted by Rachel on Oct 14, 2010
Carlos Drummond de Andrade is one of Brazil’s most beloved poets, and is considered one of Brazil’s most important writers. Born in Minas Gerais, the son of farmers, he grew up in a rural area of Brazil and then attended college in Belo Horizonte to study pharmacology. He would never become a pharmacist, though; he…
Listening Practice: Nutrition Posted by Rachel on Oct 12, 2010
While searching for interesting videos in Portuguese, I came across this one, and I really liked how clearly and relatively slowly the presenters speak, which is especially useful for those learning a language. In this short TV segment from the Band channel, the speakers discuss nutrition, and recommend some natural foods. They discuss some of…