Brazilian slang & expression finder

Let’s go / Let’s do it

Slang · very informal · Making plans

Suggest doing something together, usually among friends.

Bora tomar um café?

Shall we grab a coffee?

Já tá na hora. Bora!

It’s time. Let’s go!

Tone & context: A casual invitation still needs a time and place. Avoid it when a formal invitation is expected.

Thanks / Cheers

Informal expression · Greetings & thanks

Thank someone casually or close a friendly exchange.

Valeu pela ajuda!

Thanks for the help!

Já recebi o endereço. Valeu!

I’ve got the address. Thanks!

Tone & context: With a different sentence, valeu can also be the past tense of valer (to be worth). Obrigado/obrigada is more neutral for thanks.

Yeah / I know / That’s how it is

Conversational expression · Reactions

Acknowledge what someone says, often with shared resignation or agreement.

O ônibus atrasou de novo. — Pois é.

The bus is late again. — Yeah, I know.

Pois é, eu também achei caro.

Yeah, I thought it was expensive too.

Tone & context: Tone and context matter: it may keep a conversation going or gently signal that there is little to add.

Fine / No problem / Relaxed

Slang · very informal · Reactions

Describe feeling relaxed or accept a small inconvenience casually.

Tudo de boa por aí?

Everything okay over there?

Pode chegar um pouco depois, de boa.

You can arrive a little later, no problem.

Tone & context: It may describe mood or agreement; it does not always mean that someone is available.

All good? / Okay / Great

Informal expression · Greetings & thanks

Greet a friend or agree to a plan, depending on intonation.

Oi, beleza?

Hey, all good?

A gente se vê às sete. — Beleza.

See you at seven. — Okay.

Tone & context: As an ordinary noun it also means beauty. A question and an agreement do different conversational jobs.

Leave it to me / Sure, I’ll do it

Everyday expression · Making plans

Accept a request and reassure the other person that you will handle it.

Você pode fechar a porta? — Pode deixar.

Can you close the door? — Sure, I’ll do it.

Pode deixar que eu te aviso.

Don’t worry, I’ll let you know.

Tone & context: It can also literally mean you may leave something somewhere. Use the surrounding request to interpret it.

I don’t know / No idea

Informal expression · Reactions

Show uncertainty when you do not have an answer.

Que horas ele chega? — Sei lá.

What time is he arriving? — No idea.

Sei lá, talvez amanhã.

I don’t know, maybe tomorrow.

Tone & context: It may sound dismissive with a flat or irritated tone. Não sei is a more neutral default.

Very soon / In a little while

Everyday expression · Making plans

Say that something will happen soon without giving an exact time.

Já já eu volto.

I’ll be back in a little while.

O café fica pronto já já.

The coffee will be ready very soon.

Tone & context: It is not a precise promise of a number of minutes. Ask a follow-up if timing matters.

We’ve got each other / Happy to help

Slang · very informal · Texting

Express solidarity or respond warmly to a friend’s thanks.

Valeu por me ajudar. — Tamo junto!

Thanks for helping me. — I’ve got your back!

Se precisar, chama. Tamo junto.

Call if you need anything. I’m here for you.

Tone & context: An informal form associated with estamos juntos. It signals support; it is not a literal agreement to meet.

Sorry / My bad

Slang · very informal · Texting

Apologize casually for a minor mistake.

Foi mal, mandei no grupo errado.

Sorry, I sent it to the wrong group.

Foi mal pelo atraso.

Sorry I’m late.

Tone & context: A serious harm generally needs a fuller apology. Desculpa or desculpe is more neutral.

No problem / Don’t mention it

Everyday expression · Greetings & thanks

Reassure someone after thanks or a small apology.

Obrigada pela ajuda! — Imagina!

Thanks for the help! — Don’t mention it!

Desculpa incomodar. — Imagina, pode falar.

Sorry to bother you. — No problem, go ahead.

Tone & context: In other contexts imagina literally means imagine. Do not translate it word for word in a thank-you exchange.

Wow / Oh my goodness

Conversational expression · Reactions

React to surprise, admiration or concern; let your tone carry the feeling.

Nossa, que lugar bonito!

Wow, what a beautiful place!

Nossa, você tá bem?

Oh my goodness, are you okay?

Tone & context: Nossa can also mean our with a feminine noun, as in nossa casa. Here it is an interjection.

Whoa / Oh wow

Informal interjection · Reactions

React to something surprising, awkward or impressive.

Eita, esqueci a chave!

Oh no, I forgot the key!

Eita, que bolo grande!

Wow, what a big cake!

Tone & context: Associated with several regional styles, including northeastern speech, but heard elsewhere; not every speaker uses it equally.

I can’t / It won’t work / It’s not possible

Everyday expression · Making plans

Say that an action or arrangement is not possible in the situation.

Hoje não dá pra sair.

I can’t go out today.

Não dá pra pagar com cartão aqui.

You can’t pay by card here.

Tone & context: The subject may be I, we or people in general. It is the context that tells you who cannot do something.

I’m in / I’m up for it

Informal expression · Making plans

Accept an invitation or a proposed activity.

Vamos ao cinema? — Eu topo!

Shall we go to the movies? — I’m in!

Eu topo um café depois da aula.

I’m up for coffee after class.

Tone & context: Topo here is a form of topar, not the noun meaning top. It accepts the idea; details may still need arranging.

Let’s arrange something

Everyday expression · Making plans

Suggest a future meeting or activity.

Vamos marcar um almoço?

Shall we arrange lunch?

Gostei de te ver. Vamos marcar de novo.

It was nice seeing you. Let’s arrange it again.

Tone & context: Sometimes it is a warm but vague suggestion. Confirm a day, time and place before treating it as a fixed plan.

You’re kidding / Come on / Be serious

Informal expression · Reactions

React with disbelief or ask someone to stop joking.

Você ganhou? Fala sério!

You won? You’re kidding!

Fala sério, isso é verdade?

Seriously, is that true?

Tone & context: An annoyed tone can make it sound confrontational. It is not always an invitation to speak seriously.

Hang on / Wait a second

Very informal spoken form · Texting

Ask for a short pause while you check or finish something.

Peraí, vou pegar a chave.

Hang on, I’ll get the key.

Peraí, não entendi.

Wait a second, I didn’t understand.

Tone & context: A casual reduction of espera aí. In formal writing use espere um momento or another appropriate full form.

Never mind / Let it go

Informal expression · Reactions

Drop a topic or suggest not worrying about something.

Eu ia perguntar uma coisa, mas deixa pra lá.

I was going to ask something, but never mind.

Foi só um engano. Deixa pra lá.

It was just a mistake. Let it go.

Tone & context: Depending on tone it may sound reassuring, disappointed or dismissive. Do not use it to minimize someone’s concern.

Make yourself comfortable / Feel free

Everyday expression · Greetings & thanks

Help a guest feel comfortable or give permission in a friendly way.

Pode sentar. Fica à vontade.

Have a seat. Make yourself comfortable.

Se quiser mais café, fica à vontade.

Feel free to have more coffee.

Tone & context: Fique à vontade is another common form, especially when a more formal tone fits. Both depend on the relationship and style.

Hey / What’s up? / So?

Very informal greeting · Greetings & thanks

Open a casual exchange or ask what happened next.

E aí, tudo bem?

Hey, how’s it going?

E aí, como foi a viagem?

So, how was the trip?

Tone & context: It can also push for a decision: e aí, vamos? Tone makes the difference.

That’s nice / How cool

Informal expression · Reactions

React positively to news, an idea or an experience.

Passei na prova! — Que legal!

I passed the test! — That’s great!

Que legal conhecer sua família.

How nice to meet your family.

Tone & context: Legal can mean lawful in other contexts. As a reaction here, it means nice or cool.

Nice / Cool

Informal expression · Reactions

Describe something positively in a casual conversation.

O passeio foi bacana.

The outing was nice.

Que ideia bacana!

What a great idea!

Tone & context: Often friendly and mild. How natural it feels depends on the speaker and group.

Awesome / Cool

Regional slang · informal · Reactions

Give an enthusiastic positive reaction.

Esse lugar é massa!

This place is awesome!

Que massa! Você vai também?

How cool! Are you going too?

Tone & context: Strongly associated with northeastern usage, and heard elsewhere. As a noun massa can mean dough, pasta or mass.

Really cool

Regional slang · informal · Reactions

React enthusiastically in a casual exchange.

Achei o filme da hora.

I thought the movie was really cool.

Da hora! Me conta depois.

Cool! Tell me about it later.

Tone & context: Often associated with São Paulo. Recognition extends beyond one city; it is not every speaker’s usual choice.

Agreed / It’s a plan

Informal expression · Making plans

Confirm a proposed arrangement.

Às sete no café? — Fechado!

Seven at the café? — It’s a plan!

Fechado, eu levo a sobremesa.

Agreed, I’ll bring dessert.

Tone & context: Fechado can literally mean closed, as in a closed shop. In a planning exchange it signals agreement.

Agreed / Deal

Everyday expression · Making plans

Confirm what both people have arranged.

Eu te ligo amanhã. — Combinado.

I’ll call you tomorrow. — Agreed.

Combinado: cada um leva uma bebida.

Deal: everyone brings a drink.

Tone & context: It confirms an arrangement, but it cannot supply details nobody has stated.

You’re welcome

Everyday expression · Greetings & thanks

Respond to someone’s thanks.

Obrigado pelo café! — De nada.

Thanks for the coffee! — You’re welcome.

De nada! Foi um prazer ajudar.

You’re welcome! It was a pleasure to help.

Tone & context: A broadly useful response to thanks; it does not usually answer an apology.

That’s good / I’m glad

Everyday expression · Reactions

React warmly to welcome news or relief.

Consegui chegar a tempo. — Que bom!

I managed to arrive in time. — That’s good!

Que bom que você veio!

I’m glad you came!

Tone & context: Bom agrees with an implied situation in this expression. It is different from describing a feminine noun as boa.

Okay / All good

Texting abbreviation · Texting

Recognize a common written shortening of beleza.

Te encontro às oito. — Blz.

I’ll meet you at eight. — Okay.

Blz, manda o endereço.

Okay, send the address.

Tone & context: For casual messages. In speech use beleza; avoid the abbreviation in formal writing.