Bora, Imagina, and Valeu: Brazilian Expressions by Situation
Short expressions can do several jobs in conversation. Learn the situation around each phrase so you can choose a natural reply.
Real Life Portuguese · 7 min read · Updated October 14, 2026
The short answer
When someone thanks you for a small favor, imagina can mean “don’t mention it” or “no problem.” In this situation, it is a friendly response rather than an instruction to imagine something. De nada is another clear option, and speakers choose different replies across Brazil.
Use imagina to respond to thanks
The meaning depends on the exchange before it. If someone is talking about imagining a place or event, the verb may be literal. Listen for a thank-you or a favor before interpreting the phrase as a response.
A: Obrigada pela ajuda! B: Imagina!
A: Thanks for the help! B: Don’t mention it!
Imagina, foi rapidinho.
No problem, it only took a moment.
De nada. Foi um prazer.
You’re welcome. It was a pleasure.
Say bora to invite someone or accept a plan
Bora is a casual way to suggest doing something together, and it can also be a short, enthusiastic yes. Add an infinitive to name the activity: bora conversar, bora estudar, or bora sair. For formal situations, use a fuller invitation or vamos.
The expression feels relaxed, so consider your relationship with the listener. A short invitation can still be specific: suggest an activity and a time, then give the other person room to answer.
Bora tomar um café depois da aula?
Want to get coffee after class?
Bora! Que horas?
Let’s do it! What time?
Hoje não posso, mas bora amanhã.
I can’t today, but let’s do it tomorrow.
Recognize valeu and choose a comfortable goodbye
Valeu is an informal way to say thanks. Friends may also use it while ending a conversation, where the context makes it function like a casual goodbye. Obrigado or obrigada is a more neutral thank-you when you do not know the relationship or tone.
Tchau is familiar, while até a próxima (until next time) and a gente se vê (see you) are useful closings. Expressions such as tamo junto or é nóis can signal strong familiarity or solidarity; learn to recognize them before trying them with someone you have just met.
Valeu por esperar!
Thanks for waiting! (informal)
Tchau, até a próxima.
Bye, until next time.
Obrigado pelo café. A gente se vê!
Thanks for the coffee. See you! (speaker: man)
Recognize slang such as mó without using it everywhere
Mó is an informal intensifier in some Brazilian speech, similar to “really” or “very” in the right context. It is slang and regional use varies, so keep muito as your dependable choice in writing and unfamiliar situations.
The I Speak Portuguese source lesson covers seven expressions, including phrases explained in other Real Life Portuguese guides. This adaptation concentrates on four social situations: replying to thanks, inviting someone, showing appreciation, and recognizing a slang intensifier. Practice them with native audio in Real Life Portuguese and ask an I Speak Portuguese teacher how the tone sounds in your region of interest.
Esse lugar é mó bonito.
This place is really beautiful. (informal, regional)
O filme é muito bom.
The movie is very good.
Valeu! Até amanhã.
Thanks! See you tomorrow. (informal)
Put it into practice
Pick one situation—thanks, an invitation, or a goodbye—and practice the matching expression in a short exchange. Use valeu and bora with friends, and choose neutral wording when unsure of the tone.
Quick practice
Which Portuguese example matches “A: Thanks for the help! B: Don’t mention it”?
Choose an answer to check yourself.
This guide is an original Real Life Portuguese adaptation of an earlier article from I Speak Portuguese.
Keep practicing with the Real Life Portuguese app
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