Tag Archives: Learning
Putz Grila! Posted by Rachel on Dec 28, 2010
One of the best ways to speak like a native is to pepper your speech with colloquial phrases and slang, which is why we’ve been focusing on these expressions lately. Awhile back, we learned about some exclamations, including putz. This word means oh no! or darn it! or uh oh! and is used as an…
Proclamação da República Posted by polyana on Nov 15, 2010
As you’re reading this on Monday morning, I will hopefully be lying on one of the beaches of Búzios in Rio de Janeiro! Today is a holiday in Brazil, Dia da Proclamação da República in which marechal Deodoro da Fonseca led Brazilian revolutionaries in a coup d’etat against the monarchy and put an end to Brazil’s…
Better Know Santa Catarina Posted by Rachel on Sep 24, 2010
In a segment akin to Jon Stewart’s Better Know a District, except a bit more serious, Brazil’s big nighttime news show is featuring different states and cities leading up to the elections. Here’s one of the recent episodes, where they discuss the state of Santa Catarina and one of its cities, Joinville. Watch the video…
Pretender Vs. Fingir Posted by Rachel on Aug 2, 2010
Did you know that you can request posts about things you want to learn? It’s easy – just leave a comment or join our Facebook community and connect with us there. We received a request from a reader who wanted to know more about the verb pretender, so let’s take a look. 1. Pretender [to…
Reading Comprehension: New Species Posted by Rachel on Jul 28, 2010
Let’s test your Portuguese skills by reading this article about finding new species in the Amazon. Expedição encontra espécies novas de insetos na Amazônia “Após uma expedição realizada em junho na selva amazônica, pesquisadores voltaram à cidade com pelo menos 65 espécies de insetos que nunca haviam sido vistas na natureza. A estimativa inicial representa…
How to Use Saber Posted by Rachel on Jul 8, 2010
The verb saber (to know) is a useful verb because it can be used in several different contexts. Let’s take a look and learn how to use it. 1. to know Sei onde fica o restaurante. I know where the restaurant is. Ela não sabe muito sobre a música. She doesn’t know much about music…
Reading Comprehension: Cala boca, Galvão! Posted by Rachel on Jun 21, 2010
Today, we’re going to read about a Brazilian phenomenon on Twitter – a mixture of World Cup enthusiasm and very amusing opportunism. Click the link below to read the story, and then try to answer the questions. Galvão Bueno: Campeão do Twitter, Gazeta Web Excerpt: “Poucos minutos depois de a cerimônia de abertura da Copa…