Posted by Rachel
In Portuguese, there are a few ways to express the feeling of missing someone or something. Let’s take a look.
1. estar com saudades
This expression means to miss or feel nostalgia for a person or thing.
Estou com saudades tuas. I miss you.
Eles estão com saudades do Brasil. They miss Brazil.
2. sentir saudades
Though this expression means the same thing, you are literally saying “to feel” longing or nostalgia. Literally, we translate this as “to miss.”
Ela sente saudades de você. She misses you.
Sentimos saudades do inverno. We miss winter.
3. saudades
In a conversation with a person you miss, you can simply say:
Saudades or
Estou com saudades to mean that you miss the person.
4. sentir falta
This also means to miss, since it literally means that something is not there.
Sinto falta de vocês. I miss you guys.
Eles sentem falta da comida brasileira. They miss Brazilian food.
Posted by admin
Today we’re going to look at a few Portuguese expressions and their origins in the state of Minas Gerais.
1. Lavar à égua
This expressions means “to do well,” “to have success,” or to “enjoy oneself.” It originated in Minas Gerais during the gold boom, when horses and donkeys were used to haul the gold out of the mines. The gold dust would get all over the horse, so the miners would “wash” the horse off to get the gold when they left the mine. “Égua” is a female horse.
Hoje irei a três festas. Vou lavar à égua.
2. Pé-de-moleque
This is a type of candy typical of Minas Gerais, made with peanuts. In the old days, women would set the candy out on the windowsills to dry and cool off, and children would steal them. As a result, the original name was “pede moleque!” as in “Ask for it, kid!” Now, it is written as “Pé-de-moleque,” or child’s foot.
3. Enquanto descansa carrega pedra
This expression means that “it never ends” or that “there’s always more to do.” This also originated from the mining boom in Minas, when during their downtime, the miners would have to build rock walls to sustain the tunnels of the mine.
Quando chegar em casa após o trabalho, tenho que fazer o jantar e cuidar dos filhos. Enquanto descansa carrega pedra!
Posted by admin
Today we’re going to look at some short, simple phrases used in everyday Portuguese that help you sound more like a native speaker.
1. Olha só [ohl-yah soh]
This expression literally means “just look,” but is used when trying to make a point in conversation. It’s how we would use the expression “look” in English.
Look, I’m sorry but I can’t go.
Olha só, me desculpe mas não posso ir.
2. Se liga [see lee-gah]
This expression is difficult to translate literally, since it would be “turn yourself on!” Ligar means to turn on, like a computer or a light. When used in this way, it means “listen up,” “listen” or “pay attention.” It is a slang expression, most commonly used by young people.
Se liga. Vem me buscar às seis, tá bom?
Listen up. Come get me at six, ok?
3. Espera ai [ess-pehr-ah ah-ee]
This expression means “wait a second” or “hold on.” In spoken Portuguese, though, it often becomes “perai.”
‘Perai. Esqueci meu casaco.
Wait a sec. I forgot my coat.
Hold on. I’ll be right back.
Espera ai. Já volto.
