This series on idiomatic expressions is taken from this Brazilian humor site, so the translations are not mine. Plus, the idea of translating them word for word is to show how idiomatic expressions are only understandable in context, and can be very funny if translated literally. We have to understand the meaning behind the expression and not necessarily each word in the phrase.
1. Preciso tirar água do joelho. I need to take water out of my knee.
This expression means you have to use the bathroom to urinate.
For example, imagine you are eating lunch with friends and want to excuse yourself: Com licença. Já volto. Preciso tirar água do joelho.
2. Vai catar coquinhos. Go catch little coconuts.
This expression means “get a life” or “leave me alone.” It means the person is bothering you and you want to send him away to find something better to do with his time.
For example, imagine you have a big project to work on and your co-worker wants to gossip all day: Caramba! Vai catar coquinhos!
3. Você pode quebrar meu galho? Can you break my branch?
This expression means “Can you help me out?” You’re asking someone to do you a favor or to aid you in some way.
For example, imagine you are carrying a lot of shopping bags and you ask your doorman to help you: Oi Serginho! Você pode quebrar meu galho?
6 Comments
Thanks so much for covering some of these expressions. The “quebrar meu galho” one clarified something for me. Several days ago, a friend of mine from Rio said this to me in reference to me offering to bring some stuff to him when I go there at the end of the month. Now I know exactly what he meant. Muito obrigada!!
Among my favorites:
Vai pentear macacos! (Go comb monkeys)
Vai plantar batatas no asfalto! (Go plant potatoes in the asphalt)
Vai chupar prego ate virar taxinha! (Go suck a ten penny nail until it becomes a carpet tack! [more or less])
Muito bom ensinar essas expressões – queria achar um blog que ensina-se expressões em inglês …
Rogerio
It’s very important to point out that “tirar água do joelho” is a rude thing to say, except maybe among men who are close friends, in a *very* informal situation. I don’t know, I’d have to ask a man. I’d be somewhat shocked to hear it even from a friend…
Just to add something:
When we ask a huuuuuuge favor to a friend, sometimes we say to thank him/her
Wow, you broke a tree for me.
In Portuguese: nossa, você quebrou uma árvore para mim.
A tree is much bigger than a branch, right?
Please, consider that “tirar água do joelho” is used among very close men friends. It´s tottaly informal.