Brazilian Sayings

Yo yo people! All good? In our Dica today, we will talk about some Brazilian Sayings.

Sayings are short phrases, from an unknown writer, and carry a common cultural meaning between all of those in the society.
In Brazil they’re spoken from generation to generation, and are used in different situations daily
Let’s check out some examples.

Brazilian Sayings

Não há rosas sem espinhos
There aren’t roses without spines

This one is used to warn about something that looks too good and may deceive you. Nothing is that good, even roses have spines.

A pressa é inimiga da perfeição
The rush is enemy to perfection

We use this saying to warn that doing something in a rush is guaranteed to have mediocre results.

A união faz a força
The union makes strength.

That’s for when we want to encourage people to work together, more is better!

Quem com ferro fere, com ferro será ferido
Who hurts with iron, with iron will be hurt

We can resume this saying in one word: Karma!

De grão em grão a galinha enche o papo
From grain to grain the chicken fills its stomach

You can’t expect to have instant results, right? So you got to take it step by step, one by one.

Quem não tem cão, caça com gato
Who doesn’t have a dog, hunts with a cat. 

Life isn’t easy, so you have to make do with what you got, this is what this saying is about.

Cavalo dado não se olha os dentes
You don’t look a given horse’s teeth

If someone gives you a present, you shouldn’t complain!

Macaco velho não pula em galho seco
An old monkey doesn’t jump on dry branches 

Experience comes with age!

Let’s see some examples of expressions using Brazilian sayings:

Examples using Brazilian Sayings

Eu sei que você acha que sua namorada é perfeita, mas cuidado! Até rosas têm espinhos!
I know you think your girlfriend is perfect, but watch out! Even roses have spines!

A comida vai demorar, mas lembrem-se: a pressa é inimiga da perfeição.
Lunch is going to take some time, but remember:

Pessoal, vamos trabalhar juntos! A união faz a força!
Guys, let’s work together! United we are stronger!

Eu sei que você não gosta do João, mas não faça nada. Você sabe que quem com ferro fere, com ferro é ferido.
I know you don’t like João, but don’t do anything. You know that who hurts with iron, with iron is hurt.

Cara! Não tenha pressa. De grão em grão a galinha enche o papo.
Dude! Don’t rush. From grain to grain the chicken fills its stomach

Eu queria beber uma caipirinha para ficar bêbado, mas só tenho cerveja. Bem, quem não tem cão caça com gato.
I wanted to drink a caipirinha to get drunk, but I only got a beer. Well, who doesn’t have a dog hunts with a cat.

Minha mãe me deu essa camisa nova, eu não gostei muito mas cavalo dado não se olha os dentes.
My mother gave me this new shirt, i didn’t like it very much but you don’t look a given horse’s teeth.

Eu moro há tanto tempo no Rio de Janeiro, que eu sei que não devo andar sozinho de noite. Macaco velho não pula em galho seco.
I live in Rio de Janeiro for so long that I know I shouldn’t walk alone at night. Old monkeys don’t jump on dry branches.

Brazilian Truck Sayings

Also, when driving in Brazilian territory, you may notice that a lot of trucks on the street have sayings too, but most of them witty or with double meaning. Check out:

That’s it y’all!
Now you know some Brazilian Sayings, funny, right? What about going out on the streets and practicing a bit? And do you know any other Brazilian Saying?

Big hug to you all, and remember, the doors to our school are always open for you! Come pay us a visit! And like us on Facebook too!

Kisses from Rio de Janeiro!

           
Click on the links below to see more related Dicas
Classroom Expressions in Portuguese
Portuguese Informal Phrases
The expression Pois não in Portuguese
Chutar o balde in Portuguese
Portuguese Expressions