Hello there! You aced already our Dica about women’s clothes, men’s clothes and accessories! Now it’s time to learn all about shoes in Portuguese, so your style will be on check! Shoes come in many sizes, styles and colors! There is a good option for anyone. If you like fresh shoes, for example, you will learn all about sandals in Portuguese today! If you are one of those sneakers’ collectors, yes, you will also learn the vocabulary related to sneakers in Portuguese! And finally, if you are already a Brazilian at heart, the flip-flops in Portuguese will be directed for you, our famous Brazilian Havaianas! Let’s go!
In Brazil, and specially in Rio de Janeiro, we love wearing our famous chinelo. Cariocas have the habit of using them everywhere: to the mall, parties, dates. The only occasion that we don’t wear them is for work and fancy parties :P! When you come study Portuguese in Brazil with our school, don’t worry, you can wear your chinelo to our classes! In Brazil, everybody calls flip-flops by havaianas. Even though Havaianas is the brand, it became a popular name for flip-flops in Portuguese. Rasteirinhas are very similar to flip-flops, but are not usually made of rubber, and can be worn with more chic outfits.
Sandálias are the famous sandals in Portuguese. They are flat shoes, but unlike chinelos, they have a strap that holds the shoe behind the heel. Pantufas, on the other hand, are those comfortable shoes that we wear indoors, and that are made of a fluffy fabric, and it feels like we are stepping on clouds!
What is the difference between coturnos and botas? Well, generally, low-top shoes that have laces are called coturnos. Meanwhile, the botas can have a high or low reach, and are closed with elastic or zipper.
Tênis are one of the most collected items in the world, did you know that? Used by people of all ages, we couldn’t ignore knowing how to spell sneakers in Portuguese. But on rainy days, it’s perfect to wear galochas, to keep our feet dry!
Finally, we have a couple of shoes that are mostly used by women. The sapato alto, commonly known as salto alto, is a very classy type of shoe, usually worn during fancy parties and work events. The sapatilhas, on the other hand, were created to pass some seriousness and class, but without the pain that high heels bring!
As we explained above, flip-flops are called chinelo in Portuguese. But, many Brazilians (and here, I am being precise, MANY!) just call any flip-flops havaianas. But why?
Well, havaianas is a brand of flip-flops created in 1962. They were created thinking about the hot weather in Brazil, and how people needed comfortable and aired shoes. Most people don’t know that, but our havaianas were based on Zori, a traditional flip-flop from Japan.
They were a hit and are considered the first recognized flip-flops from Brazil. The most famous havaianas is the white one with blue bands and Brazil’s flag on top of it. But they are available in many colors, styles and even other types of shoes that are as comfortable as the flip-flops. If you ever come to Brazil, it’s necessary to buy one pair!
You already know the name of the shoes in Portuguese, and that’s great. Here are some expressions that you’ll need to know when talking about shoes.
| Sapatos | Shoes |
| Os chinelos | Flip-Flops |
| O tênis | Sneakers |
| O sapato social | Social Shoes |
| O sapato de salto alto | Heels |
| A sandália | Sandals |
| A rasteirinha | Flats |
| A bota | Boots |
| Cadarços | Shoelaces |
| Par de sapatos | Pair of shoes |
| Sapato com cadarço | Shoes with shoelaces |
| Sapato de velcro | Velcro shoes |
| Bota de cano alto | Long boots |
| Bota de cano baixo | Ankle boots |
| Tênis de cano alto | High top sneakers |
| Tênis de cano baixo | Low top sneakers |
| Amarrar o cadarço | Tie the shoelaces |
| Colocar/botar/pôr o sapato | Put on shoes |
| Comprar os sapatos | Buy shoes |
| Experimentar os sapatos | Try on the shoes |
| Trocar os sapatos | Change shoes |
| Usar os sapatos | Wear the shoes |
Now that you read it by yourself, let’s listen to the correct pronunciation. Repeat each word after me:
Don’t go quite yet. Let’s practice more, so you’ll be able to buy shoes in Portuguese all by yourself! Take a look at the pictures and tell us what type of shoes they are.
That’s it! So, what shoes are you wearing now? Do you prefer sandals or sneakers if you are in a Portuguese class? Don’t forget, you can always go buy new Brazilian Havaianas with your teacher when you come for your Portuguese immersion class!
See you next time!
Bye bye!
Click in the links below to see more related Dicas
Portuguese Clothing
Buy in Portuguese
Flip Flops in Rio
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