Today, I’m excited to share some information and tips that touch on grammar. But don’t worry! You don’t need to be a grammar enthusiast to understand it. I’m a big advocate for practical Portuguese grammar that you can use every day. So, let’s dive into some grammar tips without getting tangled up in jargon. Grammar can be simple and practical Grammar doesn’t need to be complicated – it’s woven into every sentence we speak, often without us even realizing it. It’s the invisible thread that stitches our words together. Take the phrase “I wish I had met him” — it’s a classic example of grammar ..read more

Don’t you love how idiomatic expressions can convey so much meaning in just a few words? They also make your communication sound more natural and clear. That’s exactly what you’ll find with these four Brazilian expressions with tocar. If you thought tocar just meant “to play” or “to touch”, you’re in for a surprise. The Basics of Tocar Before we dive in our exploration of Brazilian expressions using tocar, let’s briefly touch upon the basic meanings of the verb. Tocar is primarily known to learners of Portuguese as meaning to produce sounds or play music. For example: Você toca a campainha ..read more

E aí, glr! Td bem com vcs? Blz? Texting has become a universal language of its own. Whether you’re WhatsApping a friend in Brazil, commenting on a Facebook post, or sliding into DMs on Instagram, knowing the main texting abbreviations Brazilians use daily will help you join in the conversation. So, here is your essential guide to texting with your Brazilian friends like a local. Texting Abbreviations Brazilians Use and Love Below is the promised list, organized with the following structure for each entry Brazilian Portuguese abbreviation What it stands for in Portuguese What it means in Engl ..read more

I’m so stoked! ? My online course The 30-Day Brazilian Idioms Experience is ready, and I can hardly contain my joy! Here’s why I’m all in: So, you’ve reached a comfortable place with your Portuguese – you can hold a conversation, navigate through a typical day’s activities, and even impress with some vocab you’ve picked up along the way. But there’s an annoying feeling that you’re skating on the surface; you’re missing the spice, the color, the zing of Brazilian Portuguese. And then comes that awkward pause when a Brazilian friend casually mentions monkeys on a branch, or you encounter a head ..read more

You know when you no longer want to check social media the first thing in the morning? Or you decide that you will not binge-watch shows all weekend anymore. Today I will show you how to say no longer or not anymore in Portuguese using a really useful pattern: the não + verb + mais structure. Use the “não + verb + mais” pattern to say Not Anymore in Portuguese The “não + verb + mais” pattern is a straightforward yet powerful way to indicate that something that once was is no longer the case. It’s used across various contexts, from casual conversations to more formal writing, making it an esse ..read more

Brazilian Portuguese is full of special sayings that show feelings, ideas, and bits of Brazilian life in fun and colorful ways. Today I’m going to share four incredible expressions you can use when you’re annoyed and you want to say leave me alone in Brazil. I find these expressions so funny ? 1. Vai catar coquinho Literally: Go pick little coconuts ? At first glance, the task of picking little coconuts might seem quaint or even relaxing. However, in Brazil, “vai catar coquinho” serves as a dismissal, akin to telling someone to go fly a kite. I read that the phrase “Vai catar coquinho” like ..read more

Olá, fruit enthusiasts! Ever wondered what a tropical paradise tastes like? Well, pack your virtual bags and join me on a flavorful journey across Brazil because here are fruits you must try in Brazil! My vibrant country isn’t just about samba and soccer; it’s a fruit lover’s dream, bursting with exotic tastes that are as colorful and lively as its famous Carnaval. I’ve included an MP3 file for each fruit showing you how to pronounce it so you can order with confidence in Brazil. No matter what cities you visit in Brazil, I am confident that you will enjoy a great fruit experience that will m ..read more

Welcome to this blog post where I’ll share with you some of the all-time best-selling Brazilian books, including classics of Brazilian literature. Whether you’re a literature enthusiast or just looking for your next great read, you’re in the right place! Here you’ll also discover some of the top international authors whose books have sold like hotcakes in Brazil, all available for you to read in Portuguese. So, let’s dive in and explore some of the most beloved and popular books in Brazil’s literary history. Why reading books in Portuguese should be a part of your language journey I have rece ..read more

In this Portuguese lesson I show you how to use Onde and Aonde in Portuguese. It might come as a surprise but Onde and Aonde are not the same thing, although many Brazilians use these words interchangeably. The good news is that it is easy to learn how to use these words correctly. You will find practice exercises at the end of the lesson. How to use ONDE in Portuguese Onde means where. It is used in sentences that do not express the idea of movement. Therefore, you can think of it as “In what place?” but not as “Where to?”   The key here is: The sentence or the question ..read more

You’ve had a long day and you’re feeling kind. How do you express this idea of “kind of” in Portuguese? One way to do this is to use meio followed by the adjective that describes how you feel. But here is where so many people, including Brazilians, get it wrong: If you are a woman, do you say meio or meia cansada? This is easy to get right! In this Portuguese lesson I will tell you when to use meio or meia in Portuguese. In fact, you will learn everything about the word meio, which also has other translations and uses. If you want to skip straight to meio meaning kind of, scroll down past th ..read more