If you’ve ever tried speaking textbook Portuguese in Brazil, you’ve probably been met with blank stares or polite corrections. The language on the streets is a different beast entirely. Here’s a no-nonsense guide to the slang you’ll actually hear.
1. Cara
Cara
/ˈka.ɾɐ/“Dude/Guy”
The Swiss Army knife of Brazilian slang. Use it to refer to someone ("Oi, cara!") or express disbelief ("Cara, sério?").
2. Legal
Legal
/leˈɡaw/“Cool/Nice”
Not to be confused with the English "legal". If something’s "legal", it’s cool. If someone’s "legal", they’re nice. Simple.
3. Falou
Falou
/faˈlow/“Later/See ya”
The go-to casual goodbye. Short for "falou, valeu" ("said it, thanks"), but nobody says the full version anymore.
4. Bater papo
Bater papo
/baˈteʁ ˈpa.pu/“To chat”
Literally "to beat the chat". Yes, it sounds violent. No, Brazilians don’t care.
5. Mermão
Mermão
/meʁˈmɐ̃w̃/“Bro”
A contraction of "meu irmão" ("my brother"). Used like "bro" or "mate". Mostly in Rio.
6. Tá ligado?
Tá ligado?
/ˈta liˈɡa.du/“You know?/Get it?”
The Brazilian equivalent of "you know what I mean?" Often shortened to just "ligado?"
7. Zoado
Zoado
/zoˈa.du/“Weird/Messed up”
Something’s "zoado" if it’s strange or not right. Can describe situations, objects, or people acting odd.
8. Caô
Caô
/kaˈo/“Lie/Bullshit”
When someone’s talking nonsense, it’s "caô". Comes from "calão", but good luck finding a Brazilian who knows that.
9. Bala
Bala
/ˈba.lɐ/“Awesome”
Literally "bullet", but means something’s really good. "Esse filme é bala!" = "This movie is awesome!"
10. Fazer hora
Fazer hora
/faˈzeʁ ˈɔ.ɾɐ/“To waste time”
When someone’s dragging their feet or being inefficient, they’re "fazendo hora".
11. Treta
Treta
/ˈtɾɛ.tɐ/“Drama/Problem”
A messy situation or argument. "Evita treta" means "avoid drama" – solid life advice.
12. Valeu
Valeu
/vaˈlew/“Thanks/Cheers”
The casual way to say thanks. Often paired with "falou" as a goodbye.
Warning: Slang varies wildly by region. What’s cool in São Paulo might get you laughed at in Bahia. When in doubt, listen first.
If you found this useful, you might like our guide to Modern Israeli slang or Ukrainian slang for travellers.
