{"id":60877,"date":"2024-03-08T22:45:16","date_gmt":"2024-03-09T03:45:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/learn\/brazilian-slang\/"},"modified":"2025-02-28T13:07:40","modified_gmt":"2025-02-28T18:07:40","slug":"brazilian-slang","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/portuguese\/brazilian-slang\/","title":{"rendered":"30 Common Brazilian Slang Words to Understand the Locals"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you plan to visit Brazil, you’ll need to interact with the locals. Here, I’ll teach you 30 Brazilian slang words<\/strong>\u00a0accompanied by audio pronunciation<\/strong> and\u00a0example sentences<\/strong> to help you sound like a native speaker.<\/p>\n

Note that slang can significantly vary from region to region in Brazil, but these are most commonly used in S\u00e3o Paulo.<\/strong><\/p>\n

[fluentu-toc]<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Brazilian Slang for Expressing Yourself<\/h2>\n

E a\u00ed?<\/em>\u00a0<\/em><\/h3>\n

E a\u00ed?\u00a0<\/em>is quite a colloquial way of saying “hi.” It’s pretty much like saying “what’s up?” in English.<\/p>\n

E a\u00ed<\/strong> pessoal?
\n<\/em>What’s up guys?<\/p>\n

Bacana<\/em><\/h3>\n

The word\u00a0bacana\u00a0<\/em>means “good,” “cool” or “awesome.” You might hear someone exclaim Que bacana!<\/em> (That’s awesome!) when they hear about your latest Brazilian travel plans.<\/p>\n

It’s generally used by Brazilians to describe something cool they’ve encountered recently.<\/p>\n

Esse projeto \u00e9 muito bacana.<\/strong><\/em>
\nThis is a really cool project.<\/p>\n

T\u00e1 bom?<\/em><\/h3>\n

A loose translation for\u00a0t\u00e1 bom? <\/em>is\u00a0“all good?” It’s a way of asking if someone agrees or is okay with a proposition.<\/p>\n

We’ve used the exclamation form here, but t\u00e1 bom<\/em>\u00a0can also be used as an affirmation\u2014to express that you agree with something.<\/p>\n

It’s also quite common to leave the word bom<\/em> (good) out completely and just use t\u00e1<\/em> . <\/em><\/p>\n

Amanh\u00e3 a gente conversa sobre isso, t\u00e1 bom?<\/strong>
\n<\/em>We’ll talk about it tomorrow, okay?<\/p>\n

T\u00e1.<\/em>
\nAll right.<\/p>\n

Beleza<\/em><\/h3>\n

In a literal sense,\u00a0beleza\u00a0<\/em>means “beauty” but in colloquial speech, it’s commonly used to show agreement.<\/p>\n

Occasionally, you might hear someone sarcastically utter Que beleza<\/em> (wonderful) to express disdain about something they’ve seen or experienced\u2014but for the most part, beleza <\/em>is a positive term.<\/p>\n

Vamos ao cinema amanh\u00e3?<\/em>
\nDo you want to go to the cinema tomorrow?\u00a0
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

Beleza,<\/strong> te encontro \u00e0s 5h.<\/em>
\nOkay, I’ll meet you at 5 p.m.<\/p>\n

Joia<\/em>\u00a0<\/em><\/h3>\n

Another way of showing agreement. The literal translation for\u00a0joia\u00a0<\/em>is “jewel” but Brazilians use it to express that they’re on board with something (the same as with\u00a0beleza)<\/em> or to tell someone that they’re well.<\/p>\n

Tudo bem?<\/em>
\nHow are you?
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

Tudo joia!<\/strong><\/em>
\nI’m great!<\/p>\n

Legal<\/em><\/h3>\n

Brazilians say\u00a0legal<\/em> to mean “good,” “great” or “cool.” It’s one of the most common slang terms and you’ll hear it quite often!<\/p>\n

Nossa, esse filme foi legal!<\/strong> Vamos assistir outro?<\/em>
\nWow, that movie was cool! Let’s watch another one?<\/p>\n

Falou<\/em><\/h3>\n

Falou\u00a0<\/em>comes from the past tense of the verb falar<\/em>\u00a0<\/em>(to talk or to say).<\/p>\n

As a slang word,\u00a0falou\u00a0<\/em>is used in a similar manner to t\u00e1 bom<\/em> \u2014it’s a way of saying “okay,” in both an interrogative manner and as an affirmation.<\/p>\n

Again, we’ll provide a few examples for this one.<\/p>\n

Amanh\u00e3 eu te passo os detalhes, falou?<\/strong><\/em>
\nI’ll send you the details tomorrow, all right?<\/p>\n

Te vejo no s\u00e1bado \u00e0s 10h.<\/em>
\nI’ll see you on Saturday at 10 a.m.
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

Falou,<\/strong> at\u00e9 l\u00e1.<\/em>
\nOkay, see you then.<\/p>\n

Valeu<\/em><\/h3>\n

This is one of the most popular slang words in Brazil. Valeu<\/em> comes from the past tense of the verb\u00a0valer\u00a0<\/em>(to be worth something). Colloquially, valeu\u00a0<\/em>is\u00a0commonly used in many different situations to say thanks in place of obrigado<\/em> \/obrigada<\/em> (thanks).<\/p>\n

Aqui est\u00e1.<\/em>
\nHere you go.\u00a0
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

Valeu!<\/strong><\/em>
\nThanks!<\/p>\n

Ca\u00f4<\/em><\/h3>\n

Use the word ca\u00f4<\/em> when you want to say something is a lie or exaggeration.<\/p>\n

Isso \u00e9 ca\u00f4<\/strong>, n\u00e3o acredito!<\/em>
\nThat’s a lie, I don’t believe it!<\/p>\n

Na boa<\/em> \/ De boa<\/em><\/h3>\n

Na boa<\/em> means “no problem” or “it’s all good.”<\/p>\n

De boa<\/em> is very similar. It means “no worries” or “chill.” But you can also use it to say you’re “chill” (at ease) with something.<\/p>\n

Na boa,<\/strong> n\u00e3o precisa se desculpar, eu entendi o seu ponto de vista.<\/em>
\nNo worries, you don’t need to apologize, I understand your point of view.<\/p>\n

Estou de boa<\/strong> aqui, pode ir na festa sem mim.<\/em>
\nI’m chill here, you can go to the party without me.<\/p>\n

Brazilian Slang for Talking About People<\/h2>\n

Mina<\/em><\/h3>\n

Mina<\/em> refers to a young woman. It’s often used the same way we use “chick” in English.<\/p>\n

Aquela mina<\/strong> \u00e9 muito inteligente.<\/em>
\nThat chick is really smart.<\/p>\n

Par\u00e7a<\/em><\/h3>\n

Par\u00e7a<\/em> is a shortened version of parceiro<\/em>, which means “partner.” You’d use this slang word to talk about your close friends. In English, it would mean something like your “buddy” or “homie.”<\/p>\n

Ele n\u00e3o \u00e9 s\u00f3 um amigo, \u00e9 um par\u00e7a.<\/strong><\/em>
\nHe’s not just a friend, he’s a buddy.<\/p>\n

Zica<\/em><\/h3>\n

Zica<\/em> typically means “bad” or “unfortunate.” But in slang, it’s used to describe someone who’s very good at something.<\/p>\n

Ele \u00e9 zica<\/strong> no futebol.<\/em>
\nHe’s awesome at soccer.<\/p>\n

Cara<\/em>\u00a0<\/em><\/h3>\n

Cara\u00a0<\/em>is colloquially used to mean “face,” but it’s also slang used to talk about a guy or a man.<\/p>\n

We’ll provide a few examples that showcase both senses.<\/p>\n

Esse cara<\/strong> \u00e9 louco.<\/em>
\nThis guy’s crazy.<\/p>\n

Ela me deu um tapa na cara.<\/strong><\/em>
\nShe slapped me in the face.<\/p>\n

Cara,<\/strong> a prova foi muito dif\u00edcil.<\/em>
\nMan, that test was really hard.<\/p>\n

Gato<\/em> \/ <\/em>Gata<\/em><\/h3>\n

For the unprepared, hearing someone described as a “cat” (gato)<\/em> might sound a little weird. But in Brazil, that’s how people describe someone who’s “hot” or good-looking.<\/p>\n

O ator principal dessa novela \u00e9 um gato.<\/strong><\/em>
\nThe leading man in this TV soap is very attractive.<\/p>\n

(Cultural tip:<\/strong> Brazilian soaps\/TV dramas are very popular both locally and abroad. You should definitely take a look at few<\/a> if you want to learn about what makes the society tick. And to hear some of the colloquial language we’ve mentioned thus far being put into good use).<\/p>\n

Cabe\u00e7a-dura<\/em><\/h3>\n

Literally a “hard-head,”\u00a0cabe\u00e7a-dura\u00a0<\/em>is a phrase that describes someone who’s very stubborn or stuck in their ways.<\/p>\n

Jo\u00e3o \u00e9 um cabe\u00e7a-dura,<\/strong> ele nunca vai mudar.<\/em>
\nJo\u00e3o is very stubborn, he’ll never change.<\/p>\n

P\u00e3o-duro<\/em><\/h3>\n

In Brazilian Portuguese someone who’s a “hard-bread” (p\u00e3o-duro)<\/em> is a miserly scrooge\u2014in other words, a very frugal and stingy person.<\/p>\n

Esse cara \u00e9 um p\u00e3o-duro.<\/strong><\/em>
\nThis guy’s a scrooge.<\/p>\n

Figura<\/em><\/h3>\n

Figura means “figure” literally. But in slang, it’s used to describe someone who has a big personality. For example, someone funny or who is known for their character and mannerisms that stick out.<\/p>\n

Meu tio \u00e9 uma figura!<\/strong><\/em>
\nMy uncle is such a character!<\/p>\n

Z\u00e9<\/em><\/h3>\n

Z\u00e9<\/em> is short for the name\u00a0Jos\u00e9.<\/em> When you say someone is a z\u00e9<\/em>, you’re saying they’re an “average Joe.” It can have derogatory inclinations though, so be careful when using it.<\/p>\n

N\u00e3o seja um Z\u00e9<\/strong> Ningu\u00e9m.<\/em>
\nDon’t be a nobody.<\/p>\n

V\u00e9io<\/em> \/ V\u00e9ia<\/em><\/h3>\n

This is an informal way to refer to an old man or old lady. But it’s not derogatory\u2014it actually has affectionate implications.<\/p>\n

V\u00e9io (only the masculine version) can also be used the same way as cara<\/em> (man) in interjections.<\/p>\n

Meu v\u00e9io<\/strong> \u00e9 muito s\u00e1bio.<\/em>
\nMy old man is very wise.<\/p>\n

V\u00e9io,<\/strong> choveu demais hoje!<\/em>
\nMan, it rained a lot today!<\/p>\n

Mala<\/em><\/h3>\n

Someone who is a\u00a0mala<\/em> is a pain or a burden. You can use this to describe someone who is annoying to be around or bothers you a lot.<\/p>\n

It literally means “suitcase,” so think of it as describing someone as “baggage.”<\/p>\n

For example:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Ele \u00e9 um mala<\/strong> sem al\u00e7a.<\/em>
\nHe’s a real pain to deal with.<\/p>\n

Fulano e Beltrano<\/em> \/ Fulano e Sicrano<\/em><\/h3>\n

These phrases are the Brazilian Portuguese equivalents to “so-so” or “what’s-his-name.”<\/p>\n

You can use it when you’re talking about someone whose name you can’t remember, or to imply that they aren’t relevant or important.<\/p>\n

Fulano e Beltrano<\/strong> foram l\u00e1 ontem.<\/em>
\nSo-and-so went there yesterday.<\/p>\n

Brazilian Slang Verbs<\/h2>\n

Vacilar<\/em><\/h3>\n

Literally, Vacilar<\/em> means “to hesitate.” But in slang, it means “to mess up.”<\/p>\n

Ele vacilou<\/strong> comigo.<\/em>
\n(He messed up with me.)<\/p>\n

Mandar-se<\/em>\u00a0<\/em><\/h3>\n

A colloquial verb that’s best translated as “to get out.”<\/p>\n

It can be used in an imperative manner (as in, to command someone to leave) or in a descriptive sense to talk about your own pursuits of leaving a place where you don’t want to be.<\/p>\n

Se manda<\/strong> daqui!<\/em>
\n<\/em>Get out of here!<\/p>\n

Vou me mandar<\/strong> para as ilhas do Caribe\u00a0<\/em>nesse inverno.<\/em>
\nI’m setting off for the Caribbean islands this winter.<\/p>\n

Esse lugar \u00e9 muito perigoso, vou me mandar<\/strong> daqui.<\/em>
\nThis is a really dangerous place, I’m getting out of here.<\/p>\n

Rolar<\/em><\/h3>\n

You might be able to guess the literal meaning of this one:\u00a0rolar\u00a0<\/em>is the infinitive of the verb “to roll.” But it’s not used in the same way as the English language “let’s roll.” Rather, Brazilians use rolar<\/em>\u00a0to talk about an event\u2014in the past, present or future.<\/p>\n

Vai rolar<\/strong> uma festa na casa do Lucas amanh\u00e3.<\/em>
\nThere’s going to be a party at Lucas’ place tomorrow<\/p>\n

Rola<\/strong> um churrasco esse fim de semana?<\/em>
\nShall we have a barbecue over the weekend?<\/p>\n

Topar<\/em><\/h3>\n

This is quite a straightforward one to learn: topar<\/em>\u00a0<\/em>is a colloquial verb that means “to agree” or “to accept” to do something.<\/p>\n

Ele topou<\/strong> me ajudar com o meu dever de casa.<\/em>
\nHe agreed to help me with my homework.<\/p>\n

Pisar na bola<\/em><\/h3>\n

Literally translated as “stepping on the ball,”\u00a0pisar na bola\u00a0<\/em>describes a situation when someone messes up, makes a mistake or lets someone down.<\/p>\n

Sua irm\u00e3 pisou na bola<\/strong> feio comigo.<\/em>
\nYour sister really let me down.<\/p>\n

Se voc\u00ea pisar na bola<\/strong> de novo, est\u00e1 fora do time.<\/em>
\nIf you mess up once again, you’re off the team.<\/p>\n

Brazilian Internet Slang<\/h2>\n

Rsrs<\/em><\/h3>\n

This slang word is equivalent to “lol” (laugh out loud) in English, and it’s used the same way. It’s an abbreviation of the word Risadas<\/em> (laughter).<\/p>\n

So if your Brazilian friend sends you a funny video, you can respond with Rsrs.<\/em><\/p>\n

Brazilians add more “rs” to show that they found something\u00a0really<\/em> funny.<\/p>\n

So if the video was extra funny, you can say\u00a0“Rsrsrsrs.”<\/em><\/p>\n

Pq<\/em><\/h3>\n

Pq<\/em> is an abbreviation of\u00a0porque<\/em> (why) and is commonly used in texts<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Fui ao cinema sozinho pq<\/strong> meu amigo n\u00e3o p\u00f4de ir.<\/em>
\n(I went to the movies alone because my friend couldn’t go.)<\/p>\n

Tbm<\/em> \/ Tb<\/em><\/h3>\n

These letters are abbreviations of the Portuguese word\u00a0tamb\u00e9m<\/em>, which means “too” or “also.” Once again, this is commonly used in text conversations.<\/p>\n

Eu tbm<\/strong> fui ao cinema na semana passada.<\/em>
\n(I also went to the movies last week.)<\/p>\n

How to Learn Brazilian Slang<\/h2>\n

There are so many ways to learn Brazilian slang, from apps<\/a> and online resources to language exchanges.\u00a0<\/p>\n