Colloquialisms, sayings, & Slang

Sayings about Patience

De grão em grão, a galinha enche o papo. - Grain by grain a chicken fills its tummy

De moeda em moeda se faz uma fortuna - Coin by coin one makes a fortune

Devagar se vai longe - [By] going slowly you go far

The Brazilian equivalent of “slow and steady wins the race”

Água mole em pedra dura, tanto bate até que fura. - If soft water strikes the hard stone long enough, eventually it will create a hole

Literally, “soft water on hard stone, strikes so much that it pierces [through]”

Colloquialisms, sayings, & Slang

Cê tá pensando que berimbau é gaita? - Are you thinking that a berimbau is a harmonica?

A somewhat friendlier way of saying "who do you think you are?" or "what do you think I am?". It is usually used when a person makes an exorbitant demand or request. A berimbau is a musical instrument.

Chôvê não, chovê molha! - Not rain[ing], rain[ing] gets [us] wet!

A play on words for the request "Deixa eu ver" (let me see/can I see), which is often shortened to "Chovê" (which in turn sounds exactly like the common shortening of "chover" - to rain). It's usually used by adults to little kids who are trying to grab something off their hands.

Colloquialisms, sayings, & Slang

Nem aqui nem lá na China! - Neither here nor in China!

A way of saying something is ridiculous or untrue. Eg. Someone offers you a food you've never tried.  You ask them what it tastes like and they say it's kinda sweet, but when you try it it's extremely bitter. Then you would say “isso não é doce nem aqui nem lá na China!” (this isn't sweet neither here nor in China!).

Nem que a vaca tussa (em Alemão)! - Not even if the cow coughs (in German)!

A somewhat equivalent exclamation to “in your dreams”. Can also mean “never ever in a million years” depending on the situation. 

Colloquialisms, sayings, Slang

Quem tem boca vai à Roma – Anyone with a mouth [can] go to Rome

The Brazilian equivalent of “he who asks shall receive” - NOT “all roads lead to Rome”. The idea is that anyone whith a mouth can ask for directions.

O que não mata engorda – That which doesn't kill you makes you fatter

The Brazilian version of “what doesn't kill you makes you stronger”.

Nós quem, cara-pálida? – Who's “we”, paleface?

A way of saying “Don't put me in the middle of this!”

Calma que o Brasil é nosso! - Calm [down], Brazil is ours [already]!

Somewhat equivalent to “Hold your horses!” and “Where's the fire?”. Used when anyone is rushing for no reason.

Colloquialisms, sayings, & Slang

Se correr o bicho pega, se ficar o bicho come – If you run the animal/creature will catch you, if you stay [still] the animal/creature will eat you

More or less the Brazilian equivalent of “stuck between a rock and a hard place” or “damned if you do, damned if you don't”. The idea is that either choice is equally bad.

No dia de São Nunca (de tarde) – On the day of Saint Never (in the afternoon)

A way of saying something is never gonna happen. It's usually used as a reply to a question (eg. “So, mom, when am I gonna be allowed to drive your car?”). Brazil is primarily Christian, so this is referring to saint days, which are the days each saint is officially supposed to be celebrated.

Bater ponto - Literally, "to hit the point/dot"

Originally this was a term that meant “to get your time-card punched in” back when you logged in your time at work by getting the time stamped on a paper card. Nowadays it tends to mean “to keep someone informed”, as in letting your parents know where you are if you're going to be out late. (eg. "Lembra de bater ponto se você for atrasar, viu?" - Remember to check in/let me know if you''re going to be late, alright?)

Colloquialisms, sayings, Slang

O que não mata engorda - What doesn't kill you fattens you. 

The Brazilian equivalent of "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger". Engordar literally means "to become fatter", or "to fatten". 

(Pegar) dois coelhos com uma cajadada só - (To get) two rabbits with a single club

The Brazilian equivalent of "to get two birds with one stone". Except that instead of stoning birds to death one is clubbing rabbits to death instead. 

Colloquialisms, sayings, & Slang

Póde ir tirando o cavalinho da chuva! - You can go take your horsie out of the rain!

An exclamation meaning “forget about it! It ain't hapening!”

Bom dia flor do dia! - Good day flower of the morning!

The Brazilian equivalent of “mornin' sunsine!”