If it’s ONE THING I repeat ON THIS WEBSITE like a MANTRA, it’s this:

If you don’t speak Portuguese, then YOU SHOULD LEARN IT!!!

Well, I feel that repeating that over and over without at least giving the people at least SOME resources to help one get started, would not be fair to you my readers.

So, that’s what this page is about.

Now I will repeat this over and over again, if you do not speak Portuguese, that you should learn it, especially if you’re a capoeirista. You don’t HAVE to learn Portuguese to learn capoeira, but it will be a great advantage if you do. Learning the Portuguese language can deepen your understanding and appreciation of the rich history and culture of capoeira. It can also enhance your ability to connect with other capoeira practitioners from different parts of the world and build strong bonds within the global capoeira community.

Moreover, being able to understand the lyrics of traditional capoeira songs in their original language adds a profound layer of insight into the art form, opening doors to the poetry and stories encapsulated within the music. Additionally, delving into Portuguese can provide access to a multitude of historical texts and documents that shed light on the development and evolution of capoeira through the centuries. This deeper comprehension can transform your practice from physical movements to a holistic embrace of a cultural heritage.

Embracing the language can also facilitate seamless communication with native speakers, granting you the opportunity to exchange ideas, learn from the source, and immerse yourself in the authentic expressions of the capoeira tradition. So, while not a mandatory requirement, the decision to learn Portuguese can significantly enrich your experience as a capoeirista and deepen your connection to the art form in ways that transcend the physical aspects of the practice.

Additionally, being proficient in Portuguese opens up opportunities to access a wealth of resources, including historical texts, songs, and folklore that are integral to the practice of capoeira. Embracing the Portuguese language can truly enrich your journey as a capoeirista, offering insights and connections that may otherwise remain undiscovered. Therefore, while it’s not a prerequisite, embracing the Portuguese language can undoubtedly elevate your experience and expertise in the art of capoeira. By delving deeper into the linguistic nuances and cultural aspects of Portuguese, capoeiristas can gain a deeper understanding of the roots of this martial art, thus connecting with its rich heritage in a more profound way.

Moreover, proficiency in Portuguese can facilitate direct communication with native speakers and instructors, fostering a deeper sense of belonging and understanding within the capoeira community. This language proficiency can also open doors to participation in local events, workshops, and gatherings, providing access to a wider network of practitioners and enthusiasts within the capoeira world. Therefore, it becomes evident that embracing the Portuguese language goes beyond mere communication; it becomes a gateway to a deeper sense of cultural immersion and appreciation within the art of capoeira.

In Brazil, vibrant body language is important, as it communicates warmth and friendliness in social interactions. The friendly atmosphere at bustling places like Ipanema Beach, where locals and tourists gather to soak up the sun and enjoy the lively scenery, enhances the experience of engaging with the culture.

Juice stands, often filled with colorful fruits and invigorating drinks, become social hubs where conversations flow freely. In these lively settings, it becomes particularly beneficial to know some basic Portuguese phrases; not only does it help in better navigating the language barriers, but it also fosters connections and builds friendships with locals, making your visit more enriching and memorable. Engaging with the community through simple greetings and expressions can open doors to deeper interactions and a more authentic experience of Brazilian hospitality.

The vibrant street art, the energy of the Carnival, and the warmth of the people all contribute to the rich cultural tapestry of Brazil. Exploring the bustling markets, engaging in the soccer fervor, and experiencing the traditional feijoada are just a few of the many activities that allow you to immerse yourself in the dynamic Brazilian way of life. Whether you’re exploring the Amazon rainforest, visiting the historic architecture of Salvador, or simply enjoying the pulsating rhythm of the nightlife in São Paulo, Brazil offers an array of experiences that beckon you to embrace the diverse and colorful Brazilian culture.

Understanding the vibrant culture and the nuances of Brazilian Portuguese can truly enhance your experience in this beautiful country. Immersing yourself in the local customs, from learning the rhythms of samba to savoring traditional dishes like feijoada and brigadeiro, opens up a world of connections and experiences. By engaging with the language and social customs, you not only show respect for the local way of life, but you also gain insights into the rich tapestry of Brazilian society. Thankfully, most Brazilians are more than happy to practice with you — and they’ll be extra impressed if you already know a thing or two. Embracing the language, customs, and traditions will undoubtedly enrich your journey through Brazil.

Just a note: Brazilians tend to be pretty casual with language, so you can almost always use the informal versions below.

Here are some basic Portuguese words, phrases, and slang-words to learn before your next trip to Brazil or Portugal.

Basic Portuguese Phrases and Words

Hello: Oi (informal); olá (formal)

How are you?: Como está?; tudo bem? (In response, you can say “tudo bem” as well, meaning “everything’s good.”)

How’s it going?: Como vai?; como está indo?

Goodbye: Tchau (informal); adeus (formal)

See you later: Até mais

See you soon: Até logo

See you tomorrow: Até amanhã

Good morning: Bom dia

Good afternoon: Boa tarde

Good evening/good night: Boa noite

Please: Por favor

Thank you: Obrigada (if you are female), obrigado (if you are male) (Tip: Locals often shorten this to ‘brigada or ‘bridago, omitting the first “o”)

Thank you very much: Muito obrigada/o

You’re welcome: De nada

What’s your name?: Qual é o seu nome? (informal); Como se chama? (formal)

My name is…: Meu nome é… (informal); Me chamo… (formal)

Pleased to meet you: Prazer

Friend: Amigo (masculine); Amiga (feminine)

Family: Família

Father/mother: Pai/mãe

Boyfriend/girlfriend: Namorado/namorada

Mr./mrs./miss: Senhor/senhora/senhorita

Beautiful: Lindo (if the object you’re describing is masculine); linda (feminine)

Good: Bom (if the object you’re describing is masculine); boa (feminine)

Bad: Mau; Ruim

Yes: Sim

No: Não

I don’t know: Não sei

I’m sorry/excuse me: Desculpa

Excuse me (passing through a crowd or asking to pass by someone): Com licença

Today: Hoje

Tomorrow: Amanhã

Yesterday: Ontem

Day: Dia

Week: Semana

Weekend: Fim de semana

Who?: Quem?

What?: Que? (When asking solely “what?” you say, “O que?”)

Where?: Onde?

When?: Quando?

Why?: Por quê?

Which?: Qual?

How much?: Quanto?

Now, for you World Travelers out there

Airport: Aeroporto

Taxi: Táxi

Subway: Metrô

Subway station: Estação de metrô

Train: Trem

Train station: Estação de trem

Bus: Ônibus

Bus stop: Ponto de ônibus

Car: Carro (Tip: Double Rs in Portuguese are pronounced as an “h” sound, so this is pronounced ca-ho.)

Luggage: Bagagem

Ticket: Bilhete

Beach: Praia

City: Cidade

Restaurant: Restaurante (Tip: Rs at the beginning of words in Portuguese are pronounced as an “h” sound, so this is pronounced hes-taur-ronch.)

Bathroom: Banheiro

Store: Loja

Hotel: Hotel

Hostel: Albergue

Food: Comida

Drink: Bebida

Breakfast: Café da manhã

Lunch: Almoço

Dinner: Jantar

Snack: Lanche, petiscos

Wine: Vinho; vinho tinto (red wine); vinho branco (white wine)

Beer: Cerveja

Expensive: Caro

Cheap: Barato

Street: Rua

Hospital: Hospital

Help: Ajuda

Police: Polícia

Bank: Banco

ATM: Caixa eletrônico

Left: Esquerda

Right: Direita

Go straight: Siga; vai direto

Some Common Phrases for you world Travelers out there

Where is the bathroom?: Onde fica o banheiro?

Do you speak English?: Você fala Inglês?

I don’t understand: Eu não entendo

What?/Say that again?: O quê?

I don’t speak Portuguese: Não falo Português

How much does this cost?: Quanto custa isso?

Check, please: A conta, por favor

Cheers! (when toasting drinks): Saúde!

I’m lost: Estou perdido (if you are male); Estou perdida (if you are female)

Let’s go: Vamos!; vamos embora!

I would like…: Eu gostaria…

I like…: Eu gosto…

I don’t like…: Eu não gosto…

I am from/I come from…: Eu sou de…

Where are you from?: De onde você é?

This city is marvelous: Essa cidade é maravilhosa

Very good: Muito bom

One more (drink)!: Mais uma!

I’d like an açaí with banana, please: Quero um açaí com banana, por favor (Trust us, you’ll want to order this)

Let’s go to the beach: Vamos a praia

I will miss this place: Vou ter saudades desse lugar

Some Slang Words and Phrases, in case you wanna sound cool.

Brazil is a big country, and there are tons of slang words depending on the region you go to. I tried to include some of the more common slang you’ll hear people saying.

What’s up?: E ai?

Alright (to show agreement and enthusiasm): Beleza

Cool!: Legal!

Awesome: Bacana

Thanks (informal/colloquial): Valeu!

Wow/no way (a general exclamation in reaction to something): Nossa (or nossa senhora)

All good?/It’s alright?: Ta bom? (If someone asks you this, you respond with “ta” to say “yes”)

Who knows/I have no idea: Sei la

Guy/girl: Cara (this is used to address in an informal, colloquial manner, as “man” or “dude” is used in the U.S.)

Okay, I hope you got those down! I believe that visual and auditory elements can enhance the learning experience for others like me, who thrive on multi-sensory learning, So I decided to post a video playlist here for you to explore and enjoy!

I also posted this on the AFRO – BRAZILIAN CINEMA… Jogo Corpo de Fechado Style page. Sharing this content not only on that page but also here feels just right.

Incorporating different senses helps to create stronger connections in the brain, making information easier to remember and understand. By combining visuals such as videos, infographics, and diagrams with auditory elements like music, podcasts, and spoken explanations, we can cater to a wider range of learning styles and preferences. This playlist is carefully curated to offer a diverse range of content, including educational videos, engaging podcasts, stimulating music, and thought-provoking spoken word pieces, all with the aim of providing an enriching and enjoyable learning experience.

FINALLY, FOR YOU CAPOEIRISTAS OUT THERE…

When you walk into a Capoeira class, the vibrant sounds of Brazilian Portuguese surround you, creating an immersive linguistic experience. As you immerse yourself in the training, you’ll undoubtedly become familiar with certain nouns and phrases that are intrinsic to the practice. A useful strategy to enhance your learning journey is to acquaint yourself with key terms and phrases from the outset, ensuring a smoother assimilation into the fabric of the class. By familiarizing yourself with these commonly used phrases early on, you can build a strong foundation for your Capoeira journey.

• Dupla – Pair
• Acompanha – follow or follow along
• Oposto – Opposite
• Golpe – Hit or strike
• Rápido – Fast
• Devagar – Slow
• Atenção – attention
• Estica parna – straighten (your) leg
• Desce – Go down
• Sobe – Go up
• Prática – Pratice
• Treino – Training
• Roda – wheel (the capoeira circle)
• Esquiva – Dodge
• Mestre – Master (of Capoeira)
• Jogo – Game
• Pisa – Step
• Lateral – Lateral
• Frontal – Frontal
• Para trás – Backwards
• Esquerda – Left
• Direita – Right
• Reto – Straight
• Pula – Jump
• Pra/em Cima – To go over / Over
• Pra/em Baixo – To go under / Under
• Lá – Over there
• Aqui – here

And of course, if you’re like me and need a more visual aid, here are a couple of videos to learn from. Take advantage of these videos to complement your learning journey and gain a deeper insight into the subject matter.

And also…

Here’s an AMAZING book called Portuguese for Capoeiristas: Master the Basics in 16 Comprehensive Lessons based on Popular Capoeira Songs, by by Simon Whyatt (Author), Cinzia Barberis (Editor), Ana Cláudia Paschoal (Editor).

It’s a really good start for learning Portuguese, especially for those who are involved in Capoeira. With this foundation, you can begin to understand the rhythmic cadence of the language, which resonates with the music and movements of Capoeira. The Brazilian martial art has a deep cultural connection to the Portuguese language, and immersing yourself in both can provide a richer experience of Brazilian culture. Whether you’re drawn to the dance-like sequences of Capoeira or the melodic sounds of Portuguese, this starting point can open a door to a world of language, movement, and tradition.

You can purchase this book on Amazon by clicking HERE.

There are numerous online platforms that offer a wide range of language courses, some of which I present below.

From beginner to advanced levels, tailored to different learning styles and preferences. In addition to language exchange programs, there are also interactive tools and resources designed to enhance language proficiency through practical exercises and real-life conversations. Whether you prefer structured lessons or self-paced study materials, the variety of options available ensures that you can find the perfect fit for your language learning journey.

Speaking Brazilian Language School

Learn Portuguese with PortuguesePod101.com

Plain Portuguese

The Best Language Learning Apps to Download

Additionally, reading Portuguese literature, such as novels and poetry, can expose you to a wide range of vocabulary and language structures while providing insight into the cultural nuances of the Portuguese-speaking world. Furthermore, participating in language exchange programs or finding a language partner can offer valuable opportunities to practice conversational Portuguese and gain a deeper understanding of the language in a real-life context. Immersing yourself in Portuguese TV shows and podcasts can also be an effective way to familiarize yourself with various accents and colloquial expressions, further enriching your language learning experience. Remember, the more diverse and immersive your language learning activities are, the more holistic and comprehensive your language skills will become.

Learning a new language enhances personal growth and cultural understanding, enabling deeper connections with others and broadening perspectives. This journey not only opens doors to diverse cultures and traditions but also exposes individuals to different ways of thinking, which can significantly enrich their worldview. The process often involves overcoming challenges, such as mastering complex grammar rules or expanding vocabulary, that foster a sense of achievement and confidence applicable to other life areas. Additionally, engaging with native speakers can improve communication skills and create lifelong friendships, further deepening the learning experience. As learners navigate through unfamiliar linguistic landscapes, they discover the beauty of human expression and the significance of dialogue in bridging cultural divides.

Obrigado!