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aprendendo português brasileiro
Portuguese for foreigners
By Prof. Audrey Lyra
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Brazil National Team: 10 surprising facts you (probably) didn't know
Throughout its history, the Brazilian National Team has accumulated great stories and interesting facts. Check them out!

Prof. Audrey Lyra
Oct 86 min read


How to order a coffee in Brazil: vocabulary, expressions and culture
Do you know how to order a coffee in Portuguese? It seems like a simple situation, but in a coffee shop you can come across different drinks, foods, staff and ways of placing an order.

Prof. Audrey Lyra
Oct 45 min read


Beyond soccer and samba: 5 Brazilian products awarded abroad
When people think of Brazil, beaches, soccer, Carnival, and music often come to mind. Yet, the country also boasts a range of flavors capable of impressing even the most discerning palates worldwide.

Prof. Audrey Lyra
Oct 16 min read


The Verb "Usar" in Portuguese: More versatile than you think
Do you know the different meanings of the verb "usar" in Portuguese? For those learning the language, recognizing these differences is important.

Prof. Audrey Lyra
Sep 234 min read


More than just a trend: what 80s nostalgia reveals about us
Have you ever imagined what it would be like to appear in a photo wearing 1980s clothing, hairstyles, and accessories? The idea seems simple and fun, but it might reveal something deeper.

Prof. Audrey Lyra
Sep 145 min read


Compreender x entender and escutar x ouvir: What are the differences?
Have you ever wondered when to use "compreender" versus "entender"? And what about the difference between "escutar" and "ouvir"?

Prof. Audrey Lyra
Sep 123 min read


The nostalgia of Brazilian nights: the old orange glow of Brazil's streets
If you walked the streets of Brazil in the 1990s and early 2000s, you surely remember that warm, orange glow that bathed the cities at night. It wasn't just any light; it was the so-called "sodium light" from the sodium-vapor lamps that illuminated streetlights across the country.

Prof. Audrey Lyra
Aug 142 min read


Beyond the sea: Rio de Janeiro that breathes history
When you think of Rio de Janeiro, what comes to mind? Probably Cristo Redentor, Pão de Açúcar, or the Copacabana boardwalk. But I want to invite you to cross the "beach line" and discover Imperial Rio. Having been the capital of Brazil and the seat of the Portuguese Royal Family, the city center holds architectural gems that make you feel like you're in another era. Shall we take a stroll through this other side?

Prof. Audrey Lyra
May 113 min read


Speaking with hands: understanding Brazilian gestures
If there's one thing that stands out when observing the way Brazilians behave, it's how much they gesticulate and use their hands to communicate! That's right, gesturing is almost a language of its own here in Brazil. When we're excited, telling a story, or even explaining something, our hands move a lot, helping to express feelings and bring more life to what we say. Let's find out more about this?

Prof. Audrey Lyra
May 112 min read


Brazilian habits that shock foreigners
Whether you're just starting to learn Brazilian Portuguese or are simply an admirer of Brazilian culture, one thing is certain: Brazil has very unique customs that can surprise – and even shock – those who come from abroad. Despite being known for our warmth and contagious joy, some of our habits are quite different from what many foreigners are used to. Shall we discover them together?

Prof. Audrey Lyra
May 63 min read


The sounds of the letter X in Portuguese
The letter X is full of surprises in our language! With varied sounds ranging from soft to more pronounced, it appears in so many different words that it makes our speech even more interesting. Exploring the ways the letter X can sound is a fun journey through the universe of the Portuguese language, where each sound tells a different story.
Shall we discover these little sound secrets together?

Prof. Audrey Lyra
Apr 272 min read


Easter in Brazil: between faith, chocolate, and creativity
Easter in Brazil is one of the richest and most multifaceted celebrations on our calendar. Unlike other parts of the world, we manage to combine deep religious devotion with a commercial and gastronomic effervescence that transforms homes and supermarkets at this time of year.

Prof. Audrey Lyra
Apr 262 min read


Informal Brazilian expressions that every student should know
The Portuguese spoken in Brazil is rich in expressions that often don't make sense when translated literally. To sound more natural, it's essential to know our informal expressions!

Prof. Audrey Lyra
Oct 20, 20252 min read


Understanding Portuguese: the differences between LEVAR, TRAZER and PEGAR
If you're learning Portuguese, you've probably encountered confusion between the verbs levar, trazer and pegar. Although they seem to have similar meanings, context and direction of action are crucial to using them correctly.
Let's break them down!

Prof. Audrey Lyra
Oct 20, 20252 min read


A symbol of Brazil, rice and beans is considered one of the healthiest foods in the world by the UN
Amidst the hustle and bustle of everyday life, there's a combination that nourishes the body and soul of millions of Brazilians: rice and beans. More than just a simple combination, this meal is a true icon of our culture, present on tables from north to south of the country.

Prof. Audrey Lyra
Aug 25, 20252 min read


Understand the participle in Portuguese
The participle is a noun form and can be understood as the verb form that indicates a completed action. Understanding this noun form is essential to improving your writing and speaking, as well as better understanding sentence structure. Let's dive in!

Prof. Audrey Lyra
Jul 26, 20252 min read


Popular Brazilian expressions that come from soccer
If there's one thing Brazilians love, it's soccer! And it's no wonder that the country's most popular sport has also influenced our language. Many expressions used in everyday life have their origins in the soccer fields, bringing emotion, humor and a special touch to our conversations. Let's explore some of them?

Prof. Audrey Lyra
Jun 24, 20252 min read


Is Brazil in fashion? Understand what BRAZIL CORE is
Brazilian aesthetics and culture are currently being spread on social media by major brands and influencers who are inspired by Brazil to showcase their looks.
It seems that the world is now discovering what Brazilians already do naturally in the country: wearing their clothes, accessories, and decorative pieces with a Brazilian theme. Have you heard of Brazil Core?

Prof. Audrey Lyra
Jun 16, 20252 min read


How to understand and differentiate the verbs SER, ESTAR and FICAR
A very common doubt among those who learn Portuguese as a foreign language is the distinction between the verbs "Ser", "Estar" and "Ficar". These three verbs are fundamental in the language and, despite appearing similar, each has its own contexts of use. Let's explore these differences a little more so you can feel safer when using them. Firstly, the verb "Ser" is used to express permanent or essential characteristics of someone or something. For example, when we say "Ela é

Prof. Audrey Lyra
Feb 28, 20252 min read


Nasal sounds in Portuguese
Nasal sounds in Portuguese are truly fascinating and, at the same time, challenging for those learning the language. They have a particularity that makes them unique: the vibration of the nose during speech! This happens mainly with vowels that receive the til (~), as in "mãe" (mother) and "pão" (bread). In addition, nasal sounds also appear in the letters M and N, as in "bom" (good) and "cansado" (tired). Let's learn more about these sounds?

Prof. Audrey Lyra
Feb 28, 20252 min read
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