A Guide To The Most Common Brazilian And Portuguese Phrases

Do you sometimes feel like “a donkey looking at the palace”? Portuguese idioms and popular sayings can be a great mystery to anyone learning the language. In fact, they can even be a mystery to people who simply speak different dialects of the language.

Here, we’ll dive into some idioms and proverbs that will help you make your Portuguese sound more authentic. If that’s not enough, we’ll also look at ones that reveal the differences between Brazil and Portugal.

Popular Sayings In Brazil And Portugal

Nem vem que não tem!

Literal Translation: “Don’t you come, you won’t have it!”

A typically Brazilian expression that indicates the lack of interest in hearing what is going to be said. It’s a way of dismissing the subject right away, on the part of the interlocutor.

Person 1: Mãe, eu estou sem dinheiro. Será que dá para descolar uma graninha? (“Mom, I’m broke. Would you give me some bucks?”)
Person 2: Ah, Daniel! Nem vem que não tem!(“Oh, Daniel! Don’t you come, you won’t have it!“)

In Portugal, the expression used would be Não venhas com histórias! (“Don’t come with stories!”)

Spoken in a tone of someone who is unfriendly and usually is not given to intimacy (meaning they prefer distance from others), the expression indicates that the speaker has little interest in hearing justifications or explanations about whatever the subject might be.

If a Brazilian were to use the second version of this phrase, they would more say Não me venha com história, removing the final “s” because they conjugate the verb in the third person singular você (“you”).

amigo da onça

Literal Translation: “friend of the jaguar”

This expression originated in Brazil and triumphantly flourished in Portugal, a country where there are not even any jaguars.

It means a “fake” person, or a false friend who lies and stabs you behind your back. A friend who cheats is a “friend of the jaguar.”

The origin of this expression is the comic book Amigo da Onça by Péricles de Andrade Maranhão, published for the first time in 1943, in Brazil. The name came from a famous Brazilian joke.

Person 1: If you were in the forest and a jaguar appeared, what would you do?
Person 2: Well, I would shoot the jaguar.
1: What if you didn’t have a shotgun?
2: I would pull out my knife and kill the jaguar.
1: And if you didn’t have a knife?
2: I would hang the jaguar with a rope.
1: But if you didn’t even have a rope, what would you do?
2: [angry] Are you my friend or a friend of the jaguar?

puxar a brasa à minha sardinha

Literal Translation: “pulling the ember to my sardine”

This is a Brazilian and Portuguese idiomatic expression. If you, a non-native, go to one of the two countries and want to “pull the ember to your sardines,” it is because you want to take advantage of something that will benefit you.

Person 1: Ele tentou convencer o patrão a investir no projeto da irmã. (“He tried to convince his boss to invest in his sister’s project.”)
Person 2: Claro! Ele está sempre puxando a brasa para sua sardinha! (“Of course! He is always pulling the ember to his sardines!”)

arrastando a asa

Literal Translation: “dragging the wing”

This Brazilian expression indicates that someone is flirting. Are you talking to the handsome neighbor all the time? You’re “dragging the wing” to him.

In Portugal, the corresponding idiomatic expression is fazer olhinhos (“making little eyes”). You can see how the two work the same way below.

Eu vi-te a fazer olhinhos ao João! (“I saw you making little eyes at João!”)

Eu vi você arrastando a asa para o João! (“I saw you dragging the wing to João!”)

fazer um bico

Literal Translation: “make a beak”

This is a Brazilian expression that means doing a quick, short-term, non-secure, non-paying job.

If you’re in Portugal, however, don’t use this expression at all, because it means having oral sex. Use the corresponding term: to make um biscate (“odd job”), which ironically also has another sexual meaning in Brazil as an insult to women. Basically, be careful.

Brazilian Version: Eu fui despedido, mas fiz uns bicos para pagar o aluguel. (“I was fired, but I did some side gigs to pay the rent.”)

Portuguese Version: Eu fui despedido, mas fiz uns biscates para pagar a renda. (“I was fired, but I did some odd jobs to pay the rent.”)

cheirar a esturro

Literal Translation: “smells burnt”

This idiom is very Portuguese. First, there’s the usual use of the phrase. Did you forget the rice in the oven? It cheirar a esturro, or smells like something toasted and a little burnt.

But if a conversation “smells burnt,” that means it must be a lie, a prank or a trick. A Portuguese person who is suspicious does not hide their mistrust!

Person 1: Eles oferecem um carro na compra de um telemóvel. (“They offer a car with the purchase of a cell phone.”)
Person 2: Essa conversa cheira-me a esturro. (“That conversation smells burnt to me.”)

como um burro olhando para o palácio

Literal Translation: “like a donkey looking at the palace”

In Portugal, this phrase means astonishment and confusion at something that is the speaker doesn’t understand. In other words, the speaker is unable to understand the value or quality of what he is shown.

Brazilian Version: Ele falou comigo em japonês e eu me senti como um burro olhando para o palácio. (“He spoke to me in Japanese and I felt like a donkey looking at the palace.”)

Portuguese Version: Ele falou comigo em japonês e eu senti-me como um burro a olhar para o palácio. (“He spoke to me in Japanese and I felt like a donkey looking at the palace.”)

giro

Literal Translation: “spin”

This is a typically Portuguese informal expression. When someone in Portugal says something is giro, it’s because they are delighted and surprised either by something they find interesting or by a beautiful person.

A smartphone app that indicates if you are snoring at night might be called super giro if whoever uses it finds it original and useful. A person, if attractive, can also be considered muito gira.

In Brazilian Portuguese, giro often means “cool,” like in the conversation below.

Person 1: Esta máquina de sumos também dá para fazer cocktails. (“This juice machine can also make cocktails.”)
Person 2: Ai, que giro! (“Oh, how cool!”)

In other contexts, however, it might mean someone is charming, attractive or beautiful.

Person 1: A Vanessa tem um corte de cabelo novo giro. (“Vanessa has a nice new haircut.”)
Person 2: Sim, mas o novo namorado dela é muito mais giro. (“Yes, but her new boyfriend is much cuter.”)

If that’s not enough, there’s a third meaning! In Portugal, you can also take a tour (dar um giro) In Brazil, on the other hand, you take a turn (dar uma volta) or even a tour (um giro) if you want to go for a walk or get to know some region.

Ontem, eu e a Alice fomos dar um giro até Coimbra. Foi um passeio curto, mas soube bem. (“Yesterday, Alice and I went for a tour to Coimbra. It was a short tour, but it felt good.”)

Eu e o Tiago também demos um giro, mas ficámos em Lisboa. (“Tiago and I also took a tour, but we stayed in Lisbon.”)

Notice that um giro is never a long or distant journey. You can take a short walk after dinner or even travel a few miles by car, but never take a plane, because that doesn’t mean dar um giro, unless you’re being ironic by describing a big trip as a small one.

Popular Portuguese Proverbs And Sayings

Papagaio come milho, periquito leva fama.

Literal Translation: “Parrot eats corn, parakeet takes fame.”

This is a Brazilian proverb, referring to when one person does something extraordinary, but another takes the praise.

Person 1: A patroa elogiou Clarisse pelo bom trabalho, mas quem fez quase tudo foi Tamara. (“The boss complimented Clarisse for the good work, but it was Tamara who did almost everything.”)
Person 2: Tá vendo? Papagaio come milho, periquito leva fama. (“See? Parrot eats corn, parakeet takes fame.“)

Ao menino e ao borracho, põe-lhes Deus a mão por baixo.

Literal Translation: “To the boy and the young pigeon, God puts his hand under.”

This is a typically Portuguese proverb. Borracho is the name given to a young pigeon that has little plumage and is unable to fly. As a side note, borracho also indicates a very attractive person or a drunk person in Portugal.

The proverb describes people who, because of their innocence and charm, are graced by fate, as if divine providence protected them from any misfortune. This person is like a baby pigeon that stumbles through misadventures but comes out unharmed.

Person 1: A Elisa teve mais um acidente de automóvel. Mas escapou incólume! (“Elisa had another car accident. But she escaped unscathed!”)
Person 2: Não me surpreende. Ele sempre teve sorte. Ao menino e ao borracho, põe-lhes Deus a mão por baixo. (“I’m not surprised. She was always lucky. To the boy and the young pigeon, God puts his hand under.“)

Pimenta nos olhos dos outros é refresco.

Literal Translation: “Pepper in the eyes of others is refreshment.”

This is one of Brazil’s most popular proverbs. It has two interpretations. One is that it’s about someone using another person to do something that they find risky. The other is that considering misfortune is easier when it happens to other people instead of us.

Person 1: Eu acho que é fácil pular o riacho e pegar o seu chapéu que voou. Não tenha medo! (“I think it’s easy to jump the creek and pick up your hat that flew off. Don’t be afraid!”)
Person 2: Claro que você acha fácil! Pimenta nos olhos dos outros é refresco. (“Easy for you to say! Pepper in the eyes of others is refreshment.“)

The above example uses the first interpretation, and the below uses the other.

Person 1: Eu não acho que você deva sentir a separação da Felícia de forma tão negativa. (“I don’t think you should feel so negatively about Felicia’s divorce.”)
Person 2: E você? Quando se separou não sofreu? Pimenta nos olhos dos outros é refresco. (“What about you? When you divorced, didn’t you suffer? Pepper in the eyes of others is refreshment.“)

Macaco velho não põe a mão em cumbuca.

Literal Translation: “An old monkey does not put his hand in a bowl.”

This is a Brazilian proverb. It means that those who are older or have more experience don’t make the mistakes of the younger and less experienced.

The expression comes from a trap for catching monkeys created with the bark of a bowl, in which a small opening is made at the top and bait is placed at the bottom.

The animal, sticking its hand out to grab the bait, can no longer get loose with its hand closed.

Adalberto me convidou para viajar, mas recusei porque já sei que vou pagar quase tudo. Macaco velho não põe a mão em cumbuca. Me livrei dessa! (“Adalberto invited me to travel, but I refused because I already know that I will pay for almost everything. An old monkey doesn’t put his hand in a bowl. I got rid of it!”)

Quem corre por gosto não cansa

Literal Translation: “Who runs for pleasure never tires”

This one’s a Portuguese proverb. It is similar to the English proverb, “If you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life.”

Person 1: Heloísa fica sempre fazendo hora extra! Sai tão tarde do trabalho! (“Heloísa is always working overtime! She got off work so late!”)
Person 2: É, mas quem corre por gosto não cansa! (“Yes, but who runs for pleasure never tires!”)

Casa de ferreiro, espeto de pau.

Literal Translation: “A blacksmith’s house, a wood skewer.”

This is one of the funniest popular sayings in Brazil. It is used to refer to someone who is very good at something, but who doesn’t use their skills for their own benefit. A dentist with bad teeth, for example.

Para um bom entendedor, meia palavra basta.

Literal Translation: “To a good understander, half a word is enough.”

People go on and on about the value of good communicators, but just as important is good understanders. This phrase refers to someone who is receiving the message and is able to catch what is between the lines.

Cada macaco no seu galho.

Literal Translation: “Each monkey in his own branch.”

This is another idiom that is kind of funny, but its meaning is straightforward. After all, the message emphasizes that everyone should only be concerned with what concerns him, her or them. Therefore, it means that the receiver must not be nosey. You can hear echoes of this phrase in the English saying, “Not my monkeys, not my circus.”

De grão em grão, a galinha enche o papo.

Literal Translation: “From grain to grain, the hen fills her belly.”

This phrase is a reminder that big accomplishments can only be done one step at a time. Sure, it may look like chickens aren’t eating much when they peck the ground. Slowly but surely, however, they fill up.

Filho de peixe, peixinho é.

Literal Translation: “The son of a fish is a little fish.”

This is a well-known saying that refers to children who follow the behavioral patterns of their parents. You’ll also hear someone use it when they’re referring to someone who goes into the same occupation as their parents. The English equivalent would be either “They’re a chip off the old block” or “The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.”

Deus ajuda quem cedo madruga.

Literal Translation: “God helps the early riser.”

Sure the early bird gets the worm in English, but this popular Portuguese phrase means that an early riser is literally blessed. Say a prayer for those of us who prefer to sleep in.

Estou feito ao bife.

Literal Translation: “I’m like a steak.”

This Portuguese problem would be used by someone who has run into a problem they can’t figure out. In Brazil, you’re more like to hear Estou em apuros (“I’m in trouble”) or Estou frito (“I’m fried”).

Foi com os porcos.

Literal Translation: “It went with the pigs.”

This popular saying means that something has gone seriously wrong. More specifically, it refers to a plan that never got finished.

É preciso ter lata.

Literal Translation: “You’ve got to have tin.”

This is one of the most common popular sayings in Portugal and refers to someone who is shameless. When someone uses this idiom, they’re probably talking about someone acting a little cheeky or saucy.

Muitos anos a virar frangos.

Literal Translation: “Many years of turning chickens.”

This is one of the most used Portuguese idioms, and it refers to someone who has a lot of experience in a certain area or subject. It doesn’t have to be chicken-related experience, but it can be.

A version of this article originally appeared on the Portuguese edition of Babbel Magazine.