Tricky Verbs & Words in Portuguese Part 3

This is really just a mixed bag of things as I tend to jot down certain words and expressions as I walk around town and especially as I read. Here’s a short list (compared to the others). 

 

Word Differences

Marca vs. Grife – Both can mean ‘brand’ but Grife (from the French ‘griffe’, but pronounced in Portuguese like ‘grief-ee’) is usually for high-class or stylish products (perfume, clothing, precious stones, etc), while Marca is usually used for any other type of brand out there, be it a car, supermarket product, etc. 

Molho vs. Caldo - Both mean a type of ’sauce’ but caldo generally means ‘broth’ or ’soup’ (’sopa’ is the usual word for soup). Molho can also be ‘dip’ (as in cheese dip). 

Aqui vs. Cá – They both mean ‘here’ but Cá is almost always preceeded with ‘para’ (as in ‘para cá’). 

Folgado vs. Cara de Pau vs. Marrento – These are always tough ones to translate but it can be said that Folgado and Cara de Pau are the same while Marrento is taking it one step further. It is said that someone who is the first two thinks the world belongs to him/her while the third knows it does. Basically Folgado/Cara de Pau is being cheeky, rude, a smarty-pants, presuming, pushy, overconfident, etc. Marrento isn’t heard too often. 

Quitinete vs. Lanchonete – You probably won’t confuse these two as they are quite different, but Quitinete, which is almost always written ‘kitinete’ sounds like….kitchen! therefore you would think it is where you get food, but no! Lanchonete (after Lunchonette, ‘lanche’ after ‘lunch’ is actually snack in Portuguese) is a snackbar/place to get a quick bite. Quitinete is a studio apartment and sometimes a small secondary kitchen in a big house. 

Caneta vs. Canudo – Again, these two are quite different but sometimes similar sounding words get confusing. Caneta is a pen while Canudo is a straw. 

Graça vs. Engraçado – Graça can mean grace (both holy and everyday), funny (as in ha-ha and when negated, it can take on a more serious note like ‘I didn’t find that very funny’)  or ‘thanks to’ (as in ‘graças a Deus’) or Graça can mean sweet (as in ‘Ela é uma graça!’). Engraçado comes from Graça and it just means ‘funny’ (in the ha-ha sense). On the flip side, Desgraçado means rude and impolite.  

 

Verb Differences

Malhar vs. Exercitar – Both mean to work-out but Malhar is almost always preferred. Exercitar is more formal/literary. Malhação is a work-out. 

 

Phrase Differences

Tirar sarro vs. Tirar onda – Both mean to kid around with someone but Tirar onda can also be to show-off in the sense of to take advantage of something and enjoy it while you have it. 

Tão - This is just for use in one example. When using tão here, you’ll actually use it twice in one sentence, emphasizing the second (tão) usage. Confused? Let me give an example. Ex.  ’Eu estava tão cansado, mas tão cansado!’ (I was so tired but SO tired!) vs. ’Eu estava muito cansado!’ (I was very tired!) Basically, it is used this way when you want to describe something with a little extra umph behind it. The word ‘but’ (mas) here would translate freely in English to ‘just’ or ‘really’ as in ‘I was so tired, just sooo tired!’

Viajar na maionese – When someone says something really obsurd, with no basis behind it, that person is said to be ‘viajando na maionese’ (traveling in the mayonnese).

Nunca chove na minha horta – In Part 1 or 2 of this series, I go over the difference between horta (kitchen garden), pomar (orchard) and jardim (garden). This phrase here, means literally ‘It doesn’t rain in my garden”, which somehow translates into popular talk as “I’m not lucky in the love department.” On the flip side, to say anywhere from ‘when it rains it pours’ to ‘I’m having some luck’ (when speaking of love, etc), you would say “está chovendo na minha horta.”

Tags: differences, expressions, eyes on brazil, phrases, portuguese verbs, words