Tricky Verbs & Words in Portuguese Part 5

Word Differences

Caseira vs Saideira – From casa (or possibly casar), caseira means a homebody but if used with food, it means homecooked (ex. comida caseira). Saideira from sair, means someone who loves to go out, a socialite. Both of these are in the feminine but could be used in the masculine by replacing the final ‘a’ with an ‘o’. Also of note, saideira can refer to the last alcoholic drink of the night.

Mole vs Lerdo – Both mean ’slow’ although mole is informal.

Fechado – Normally it means ‘closed’ although as a response to an invitation to engage in an activity, it means “(its a) deal!”.

Punhal vs Faca vs Canivete – Punhal is a dagger while faca is the general term for a knife. Canivete is a jack knife and also if followed by suiço, means Swiss Army Knife.

Mastigável – Just a random word I felt like inserting. It means chewable. Note that any word ending in -ável corresponds to the English -able.

Prestes vs Pronto – Both mean ‘ready’ although pronto is more popularly used and prestes is almost always preceeded with the verb estar, while pronto can be used alone.

Calmo vs Sossegado vs Tranqüilo – All three mean ‘calm’ although I would say tranqüilo is the most widely used.

Leve vs Leviano – Leve means light (opposite heavy) and leviano means light too but more so frivolous, giddy, and even light-headed.

Cara vs Mano vs Velho vs Meu vs Tio/a vs Moço/a vs Sujeito vs Doutor – All different ways to informally address someone close to you. Velho is sometimes seen as Veh.

Verb Differences

Mexer vs. Marcar – In the sense that they have a related meaning, mexer is to move someone emotionally (to stir someone up) while marcar is to leave a/ones mark on someone emotionally (basically, to be changed by something). For other uses of mexer, see Part 1, while marcar also carries a meaning of “set a date (to do something with someone)”.

Ex. Aquele livro mexeu muito comigo. – That book really moved me.

Ex. O nascimento do meu filho marcou minha vida. – The birth of my son left its mark on me.

Ex. Vamos marcar algo qualquer dia desses, tá? – Let’s set a date to do something one of these days, okay?

Montar vs Construir vs Erguir – Montar is to mount (assemble, set-up), as well as to mount a horse, a bicycle, etc. Construir is to build. Erguir is erect or raise.

Dormir vs Adormecer vs Mimir – Dormir is to sleep. Adormecer is to fall asleep. Mimir is used more by children or those wishing to be cute and it roughly translates to “go night-night”.

Vigiar vs Olhar – Both carry similar connotations but vigiar is more to ‘watch (0ver)’ while olhar is to ‘watch/look at’.

Ex. Não olhe! Eu vou trocar de roupa. – Don’t look! I’m going to change clothes.

Ex. Com licença, você pode vigiar minhas coisas enquanto eu entro no mar? – Excuse me, can you watch my things while I go in the water?

Disfarçar vs Esconder – Disfarçar means to cloak, camouflage. disguise or mask while esconder is to hide in general. Esconde-Esconde is Hide and Go Seek.

Phrase Differences

Fazer questão de (alguma coisa) – To insist on something or to make a point of (doing something or having something done). Note that the verb insistir (to insist) also exists in Portuguese.

Não ligar vs Estar nem aí – Não ligar (para algo) means roughly ‘to not care (about something)’ or ‘its not even something I’m concerned with’…which also conforms to the meaning of tô nem aí (estou nem aí).

Chega aí vs Vem cá – Literally chega aí means ‘he/she/it arrives there’ but used instead as ‘come here’. Vem cá means come here also, literally.

Uie! vs Eta! vs Epa!/Opa! vs Oba!/Eba! - These are all colloquial expressions which I’ll do my best to explain (keep in mind, the definitions provided are from Brazilians themselves). Uie! is like ‘wow’ or ‘ew-wee!’ And I’m also told, if a male uses it, it can carry homosexual connotations. Eta! is a spoken form of disapproval for an action someone else has done which they have been told not to do. Epa! and Opa! are used for quite a few things, including disapproval, agreement, surprise and even as a greeting response. Oba! and Eba! are used for a positive surprise.

Estar/Ficar de olho – Both estar de olho and ficar de olho mean ‘to be paying attention’ (or simply ‘to have both eyes peeled’). Often times, the tag ‘hein‘ is added for emphasis. Ex. Estou de olho, hein! – I’m paying attention (I’ve got my eye on you…so don’t do anything stupid).

Lapso freudiano – In case anyone has ever wondered how to say ‘Freudian slip’ in Portuguese. Initially, I read it was escorregão de Freud but as literally the verb escorregar means to slip, slide or skid. More common phrases include ato falho, lapso freudiano or even parapráxis.

Não vejo a hora (de) – Basically means ‘I can’t wait (to do something)’, more so in the sense of longing for something or wishing with eagerness, baited breath.

Dar um 171 - When I need the definition, I can’t find it! I believe it means to deceive someone, although its quite informal. I need confirmation…anyone? See comments (I was correct in the meaning, not the name. Its not 71, but 171).

Tem a ver – It means ‘to have to do with’ in the sense of one thing has nothing to do with the other. Take note not to use or follow the incorrect use of this phrase in which haver is employed instead of a ver. Ex. Brasil tem nada a ver com Hollywood. – Brazil has nothing to do with Hollywood.

Tags: differences, informal, phrases, portuguese, tricky verbs, words