Travel: Is there any other activity that demands so much planning, money, and time...or that generates so many interesting and fulfilling discoveries? Yes, traveling can be both a pleasure and a challenge. Leisure in newfound places walks hand in hand with language and cultural barriers. Learning Portuguese basics for travel can be helpful, but it might not be enough to help you generate a truly rich and comfortable experience. There are many sources online with common Portuguese travel phrases, but many of them fail to illustrate the nuances of the daily vernacular you’ll actually be hearing on your trip. It’s not uncommon to learn some Portuguese travel phrases but neglect to brush up on local manners and signs of politeness. After... Show more

Learning the numbers in Portuguese solves many problems. You can ask for caipirinhas (a Brazilian cocktail) for you and your buddies. Or count the goals in a soccer match. Or know how much a ticket from Sao Paulo to Rio will cost... You can also negotiate your salary, answer how many months (or years) you plan to stay in the country, and tell people your age. Like in any other language, it’s important that you learn at least the numbers to ten in Portuguese right at the start. That will solve some communication problems when you’re speaking to a Brazilian or Portuguese person who doesn’t speak English. Exciting, isn’t it? When do we begin? Well, sit down, take it easy, breathe—count to ten. → Want to review numbers vocabulary in... Show more

Making mistakes is a part of life. There’s no way around it, and that’s why knowing how to apologize is a must. Whether we inadvertently make a mistake or say something we didn’t mean, saying "I’m sorry" is always necessary. It doesn’t mean it’s an easy thing to do, but it’s something we have to deal with. Now that you’re learning a new language, it’s also a good idea to expand your vocabulary and include ways to say sorry in Portuguese. After all, mistakes in pronunciation, word choice, or comprehension is a part of the process. That’s totally okay! By using the right words to apologize, you can make the process smoother. As you gain more experience with the Portuguese language, there will be more situations in which you might need... Show more

Did you know that Brazil is the country with the fourth-largest number of Internet users in the world? Take that huge number of people online, add to it the natural creativity and humor of Brazilians, and you get a whole new world of Portuguese slang and expressions! Some Brazilian internet slang is more common with the younger crowds, while other slang phrases are used by people of all ages. Besides that, many expressions born online and in memes end up in the daily vocabulary of Brazilians, even if just for a few months. In this article, we’ll focus more on long-lasting expressions, abbreviations, and slang words. But if you’re curious enough, you can always continue keeping up-to-date with new memes and engage with Portuguese speakers... Show more

Not everything can be translated. The Biblical story of the Tower of Babel tells of a time when all humans stopped speaking the same language to drown in the confusion of different idioms. The conflicts have spread throughout humankind, which has been dissolved into different tribes. Indeed, communication is full of perils. Speech is the root of every possible human bond and results in building or destroying bridges. Normally, when a message fails to be transmitted, the consequences aren’t good. This effort to translate is hard enough in daily matters. But what about the untranslatable Portuguese words and those of other languages? The benefits of learning untranslatable Portuguese words may not be obvious at first sight, but they... Show more

When getting to know a different country and culture, why not start by learning the local language, a guaranteed way to let locals know you’re interested in being part of their world and culture? Learning some quick tips and basic conversational rules can be a great shortcut to making new friends, ensuring a variety of experiences during your visit, and even arranging business opportunities. With Brazilians, trying to speak Portuguese is a sign of great respect and should earn you quick empathy amongst locals. First things first, learn how to introduce yourself in Portuguese. A simple "my name is…" in Portuguese can represent the difference between a long-lasting, successful relationship with locals, and just passing by unnoticed. If you... Show more

Talk with anyone who’s learned a new language and they’ll tell you that music, TV shows, and books were a major help in improving their knowledge. So if you’re learning Portuguese, why not do the same? You’re definitely lucky in that regard, especially when talking about TV shows, movies, and audiovisual productions. Brazil has a long tradition of good work in those areas, with dozens of telenovela Portuguese TV shows exported to hundreds of countries, and more recently, series that have gained respect worldwide. So, there’s no need to search for Portuguese TV channels streams: We’ll bring some examples of the best Brazilian TV shows to learn Portuguese in this article. Thanks to streaming services, you can check them out and learn... Show more

Joaquim Jose da Silva Xavier (Tiradentes) is considered a hero among Brazilians, and thus has a holiday commemorating the day that he was hanged a martyr. Tiradentes was a large supporter of and actor in the Minas Conspiracy, which ultimately sought to end the monarchy and win independence for Brazil. Tiradentes Day is one of the most significant holidays in Brazil, seeing the high stakes that Tiradentes sought after for the country. As you read through this article, you’ll uncover layers of Brazil’s history and culture that are vital for your understanding! 1. Reading Practice: What is Tiradentes Day in Brazil? Why is the holiday Tiradentes celebrated in Brazil? Read the Brazilian Portuguese text below to find out (you can... Show more

A complete guide to find a job in Brazil. Destination: success! You probably know somebody who’s studied abroad or who has plans to settle down in a foreign country. We live in a context of global connections, and the general trend is to strengthen bonds with people all around the world. To bond successfully and settle down in Portuguese-speaking countries, one must go after Portuguese-speaking jobs. Though there are many work opportunities for foreigners and even tourists nowadays, there’s no substitute for knowing the language in order to work and find jobs in Brazil. Do you need a Brazil work visa? What are your chances of landing Brazil expat jobs considering the job vacancy today? What are the main jobs in Brazil? The goal... Show more

Carnival is probably the most famous Brazilian holiday in the world. It's also the largest "collective party" in the country. Many people associate Carnaval with samba or Rio, but in this lesson, you will discover that Carnival is much more than that. We’ll tell you how Carnival is celebrated in other parts of Brazil and what we Brazilians normally do at this time. As you learn more about Carnaval in Brazil (sometimes called El Carnaval Brazil), you’ll gain a deeper understanding of Brazilian and Portuguese culture. Thanks for letting PortuguesePod101.com be your guide! Let’s get started. 1. What is What is Carnaval in Brazil? The Carnival festival in Brazil is a time of dancing and general fun before the upcoming Lent... Show more