Forget everything you know about Portuguese, it’s time to “burn the eyelashes”. Here are some colourful everyday Portuguese phrases used in Portugal and Brazil.

The Portuguese phrases I’ve included in this phrasebook is of the European usage which differs from the Brazilian in sounds and pronunciation. Even though both European Portuguese and Brazilian Portuguese speakers will slightly understand each other if they do communicate.

Needless to say, if you know a Romance language, it will be easier for you to learn Portuguese. However, if you who know a little Spanish don’t make the mistake of assuming that Portuguese is close enough that it doesn’t need t be studied separately. While you might be able to figure out the meaning of some signage, items on a menu, etc., understanding of verbal communication will be very low to nothing. Words such as “gente” (people) are pronounced so differently in either variant of Portuguese, that you would hardly recognise them. Also, some personal names such as “Jorge Ramos,” for example, will be pronounced quite differently as well.

If you speak Spanish, watch for a lot of new vowels, a huge number of contractions (comparable to del and al) and irregular plurals. For the non-fluent, some pronunciation differences can be easily missed, such as año (year) becoming ano. If you speak French well, you may find Portuguese pronunciation to be fairly easy, though much of the vocabulary will have changed substantially.

Let’s take a look at some everyday funny Portuguese expressions.

Here we go!

1. Go with the pigs

Translation: Ir com os porcos

Meaning: To pass away, die

2. Flea behind the ear

Translation: Pulga atrás da orelha

Meaning: To look/feel suspicious

3. Burn the eyelashes

Translation: Queimar as pestanas

Meaning: To read a lot

4. Silly cockroach

Translation: Barata tonta

Meaning: To be clumsy, silly, scared, disoriented

5. Wake up with the feet outside

Translation: Acordar com os pés de fora

Meaning: Wake up in a bad mood, to be grumpy

6. Be with the olive oils

Translation: Estar com os azeites

Meaning: To be in a bad mood, irritated, angry

7. Many years turning chickens

Translation: Muitos anos a virar frangos

Meaning: Someone who has a lot of experience

8. Have little monkeys in the head

Translation: Macaquinhos na cabeça

Meaning: To have reason to be suspicious or distrust

9. Go comb monkeys!

Translation: Vai pentear macacos!

Meaning: To tell someone to get lost, or drop dead.

10. Swallow frogs

Translation: Engolir sapos

Meaning: To do something you don’t want to do

11. Take the horse from the rain

Translation: Tirar o cavalinho da chuva

Meaning: Don’t hold your breath! Don’t count on it!

12. Breaking all the dishes

Translation: Partir a loiça toda

Meaning: To be amazing, used when someone has exceeded expectations

13. Go bother Camões

Translation: Chatear camões

Meaning: Go bother someone else, bugger off

14. Water in the beard

Translation: Água pela barba

Meaning: Something that requires a lot of work

15. A lot of cans

Translation: Ter muita lata

Meaning: To have a lot of nerve

16. Bread bread, cheese cheese

Translation: Pão pão queijo queijo

Meaning: It is what it is, to call a spade a spade

17. Under the shade of a Banana Tree

Translation: À sombra da bananeira

Meaning: No worries

18. A head of dry garlic

Translation: Cabeça d’Alho Chocho

Meaning: To de distracted

19. I’m in the inks

Translation: Estou-me nas tintas

Meaning: I don’t give a damn.

20. You’re here to eat!

Translation: Estás aqui estás a comer!

Meaning: If you don’t behave, I’ll slap you

21. You’re letting water in

Translation: Estás a meter água

Meaning: To make a fool of yourself

22. Monkeys are biting me!

Translation: Macacos me mordam!

Meaning: To be intrigued or surprised

23. God gives nuts to those who don’t have teeth

Translation: Dá Deus nozes a quem não tem dentes

Meaning: What a waste! Used when an opportunity isn’t seized

24. To speak by the elbows

Translation: Falar pelos cotovelos

Meaning: To speak too much, talk nineteen to the dozen

25. John without arms

Translation: João sem braço

Meaning: To play dumb

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Over to you!

Which of these Portuguese expressions is your favourite? Do you know any other funny Portuguese expressions?

Let me know using the comments section below or join me on social media to start a conversation.

Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoyed this post.

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