Portuguese Slang
Words and Phrases

Portugal Lisbon Monument To Discoveries With Dark Blue Sky And Clouds

Traveling to Portugal or Brazil? Want to fala portuguese?

Portuguese is one of the major languages of the world (the sixth most spoken language worldwide), spoken by about 200 million people on four continents! In Lisbon, Porto, and other main destinations, English is spoken fairly widely. The Portuguese are proud of their language so learning just a few simple Portuguese words certainly enhances a visit to Portugal.

15+ Must-Know Portuguese Slang Words & Phrases

Slang Word/Phrase	Meaning	Example in Use
Acorde com os pés afastados	“Wake up with the feet outside” — to wake up in a bad mood	Someone might acorde com os pés afastados after a restless night.
Ainda que vistas a mona de seda, mona se queda	“Even if you see a female monkey in silk, she’s still a monkey.” Similar to “lipstick on a pig.”	Used to say that something remains what it is, no matter how nicely it’s presented.
Alcança quem não cansa	“The reach goes to those who don’t get tired.” Perseverance pays off.	Say it when giving up would be easy, but persistence will pay off.
Alimente sua barba	“Feed your beard” — eat something now because you’re hangry.	When your friend’s grumpy, just tell them, alimente sua barba.
Até breve / Até logo / Tchau!	Informal ways of saying “See you soon” or “See you later.”	Commonly heard among locals parting ways.
Barata tonta	“Silly cockroach!” — someone clumsy or distracted	“Barata tonta, pay attention!”
Estar com os óleos de oliva	“Being with the olive oils” — in a bad mood	Maybe they need to feed their beard?
Fala inglês?	“Speak English?”	A super useful, quick, and informal phrase for travelers.
Fixe	Means “cool,” “nice,” or “good.”	Teenagers use this constantly to mean something’s awesome.
Giro / Gira	Literally “spin” or “turn,” but used for cute, sweet, or lovely things.	You can say someone or something is giro (masculine) or gira (feminine).
Muitos anos transformando galinhas	“Many years turning chickens” — to be wise or experienced.	At GET, we have muitos anos transformando galinhas in the travel industry!
Pão pão, queijo queijo	“Bread bread, cheese cheese” — it’s that clear.	Used before a blunt or direct statement.
Pode tirar o cavalinho da chuva	“You can get your little horse out of the rain.” — forget it, not going to happen.	“Pode tirar o cavalinho da chuva” if you think you can ride a horse in your apartment courtyard!
Pulga atrás da orelha	“A flea behind one’s ear” — to be suspicious or intrigued.	“Did you see that? I’m pulga atrás da orelha…”
Sob a sombra da banana tree	“Under the shade of the banana tree.” — no worries, take it easy.	Relaxing in Lisbon, you might feel completely sob a sombra da banana tree.
Tipo	“Type,” but used like the English “like” — or to mean “dude.”	“Tipo, we’re going to the beach later.”
Táss cull	“We were cool” — meaning “it’s all good.”	After spilling coffee, a teen might say, táss cull.
Tchim-tchim!	“Cheers!” — onomatopoeic for clinking glasses.	Raise your glass and say, tchim-tchim!