If you want to learn Portuguese, you have – first of all – decide which Portuguese you’d like to speak. There is on the one hand the European Portuguese and on the other hand the Brazilian Portuguese. Both of them are wonderful languages, but they have also some distinctions. But that doesn’t matter … You could always learn idiomatic expressions to take your language skills to the next level.
Idiomatic expressions in Portuguese
1) Engolir sapos
Translation: Swallow frogs
Meaning: to do something you don’t want to do
2) Ir com os porcos
Translation: to go with the pigs
Meaning: to pass away
3) Pulga atrás da orelha
Translation: flea behind the ear
Meaning: to look suspicious
4) Tirar o cavalinho da chuva
Translation: to take the horse from the rain
Meaning: Don’t count on it!
5) Queimar as pestanas
Translation: to burn the eyelashes
Meaning: to read a lot
6) À sombra da bananeira
Translation: under the shade of a Banana Tree
Meaning: no worries
7) Macaquinhos na cabeça
Translation: to have little monkeys in the head
Meaning: to have reason to be suspicious or distrust
8) Estás a meter água
Translation: You are letting water in
Meaning: to make a fool of yourself
9) Barata tonta
Translation: silly cockroach
Meaning: to be silly / scared
10) Estou-me nas tintas
Translation: I am in the inks
Meaning: I don’t give a damn
11) Partir a loiça toda
Translation: to break all the dishes
Meaning: to be amazing
12) Acordar com os pés de fora
Translation: to wake up with the feet outsie
Meaning: to wake up in a bad mood
13) Pão pão queijo queijo
Translation: bread bread, cheese cheese
Meaning: to call a spade a spade
14) Muitos anos a virar frangos
Translation: many years turning chickens
Meaning: someone who has a lot of experience
15) Estar com os azeites
Translation: to be with the olive oils
Meaning: to be angry / irritated
16) Água pela barba
Translation: water in the beard
Meaning: something that requires a lot of work
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