25 Portuguese Slang Words You Need To Know

Learning the language and culture of a country is always one of the first things that comes to mind, apart from tasting the local specialities, when traveling to a new land, and Portugal is obviously no exception! It makes communication easier, shows that you’re interested in the country’s culture, but I also found the people more “open” and friendly. So, after my post on Spanish slang, I thought it would be interesting to do the same with Portuguese.

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Useful and popular Portuguese slang words/expressions

After traveling around Spain, I was a little lost, to say the least, because even if the words are similar, the pronunciation is quite different. What’s more, you’ll sometimes hear Brazilian expressions, as both countries speak the same language. Fortunately, thanks to the help of a few local friends and some prior research, I was able to learn more about the local slang. So, let’s dive into this crash course in Portuguese!

1. Fala inglês?

Easy, isn’t it? This is probably one of the most essential questions you’ll need to know if you want to ask for directions, help…, as it translates as “Do you speak English?”.
Fala is also used in Brazil to ask “What’s up?”.

2. Pá

What you’ll say at the end of your sentence when you’re talking to someone – usually a friend – about this or that. Usually translates as “man, dude”.

3. Meu irmão

This expression means “my brother” and is often abbreviated to “meu”, which led to a funny situation for me, as it sounds a lot like the sound cows make in French!

4. Ya

A fairly simple expression meaning “yes” or “yeah”.

5. Top

The word says it all: “great”, “top” as in: Este place é top meaning “This place is great”.

6. Fixe

A very common word that you’ll hear everywhere in Portugal. If someone says this about you, it means they think you’re “cool”, “nice”… A compliment like that is always welcome, isn’t it?
Here’s how to pronounce it: feeksee!

7. Porreiro

Another slang word to say that someone is “awesome” or “cool”.

8. Giro/a

Giro for men and gira for women is one of my favorite words because it addresses someone you find “cute”, “handsome” or “attractive”. As I tend to use the word “cute” to describe my close friends, this word is very useful to me!
Esse homem é muito giro = This man is very cute!

9. Curtir

Used to say that you “enjoy” or “like” something, or that you’re having a good time with someone.

10. Bué

Identical to “muito” but in slang: “very”, “a lot”.

11. Larica

You know that feeling when you feel like eating and you’re about to get the munchies? Well, “larica” is another word for “hungry” or “starving”.
Then you’ll probably hear this question: Está com larica? = Are you hungry?

12. Tomar um copa

Eating is all very well, but chances are you’ll need a drink afterwards. So what better way to quench your thirst than to “tomar um copa” or “go for a drink”?!

13. Loura

While we’re on the subject of drinks, if you’re having fun and looking to buy a beer or a “breja” at the bar, especially a “blonde”, “loura” is the right word.
And if you want to order your favorite drink in regular size, ask for an “imperial” or a “fino”.

14. Tchim-tchim

Another one of my favorites because one thing I like to learn in the different countries I travel to is how to say “I love you” (part of my romantic side I guess), but also how to say “cheers”. So, the next time you’re at a party and clinking your glasses, say “tchim-tchim”.
By the way, this expression is very similar to the French one, as there’s only one letter difference: “tchin-tchin”!

15. Grana

Talking about food, drink and fun is all well and good, but you’ll need “grana” to enjoy your stay in Portugal, i.e. “money”.

16. Balúrdio

Said about something “very expensive” that might not suit your wallet.

17. Até Breve/Até Logo/Tchau

All the expressions used to say “see you later/soon!” while sounding like a native!

18. Que Pisso

For your information, this is not the verb you might be thinking of, but rather to express someone’s “luck” when talking about a good event that happened to them.

19. Cota

Used to describe an “old man/woman”.

20. Tás-me a dar tanga

Ok, tanga is a kind of female underwear, and if you roughly translate the expression: “you give me a tanga/thong”. I don’t know about you, but I think it’s a pretty confusing phrase, and yet, as is often the case with these kinds of expressions, translating it literally won’t help you.
It actually means “you’re joking, aren’t you?” and is used when someone is messing around with you!

Swear words/expressions

21. Merda

This one was pretty easy for me because we have the same word in French: “merde” and we use it almost all the time when we’re angry at something or someone. This one means “shit”.
But I’d like to add that it’s not just used as an insult because, as in France, the Portuguese also use it to wish good luck before a show or an exam. The English equivalent is “break a leg”.

22. Bolas

This one can be translated as “shoot”, not the action of playing soccer, but rather the interjection you shout when you’re a little or very angry.

23. Fónix‎

Another word to say “damn”!

24. Burro

I don’t think anyone would like to be called “burro”, because it means “donkey”, “idiot” or “fool”.

25. Que cena!

A soft swear expression that translates as “what the heck?”.

And that’s it for the Portuguese version of the slang series!

What about you? Have you heard any other words or expressions on your travels?
Or do you know any strange but amusing slang from your own country? If so, feel free to post them in the comments section!

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