Brazilian Culture: Differences #2

writer-voice:

brazilspill:

In Brazil to say that something is bárbaro (barbarian/barbaric) isn’t always a negative thing - usually it means something is good.

It’s a term used somewhat in the same way “awesome” or “cool” would be used in English.

i.e. Que bárbaro o que eles fizeram na instalação de arte! (How cool what they did at the art installation!)

It can, however, also have with a negative connotation.

Though come to think of it I’m pretty sure we typically only use the negative meaning of the word when translating something described in another language as “barbaric" such as in “tratamentos bárbaros” (barbaric treatments)…

Same thing in Argentine Spanish! I learned the hard way…