LEARN BRAZILIAN PORTUGUESE

Nails – Unhas: acetona – nail polish remover alicate – nail clippers (also the word for plant cutters/shears) lixa – nail file (also the word for sandpaper) lixar – to file esmolte – nail polish algodão, cotonete – cotton unha francesa – french manicure unhas postiças – fake nails, acrylic nails Hair Removal - Waxing - Depilação depilação - hair removal cera de depilação - wax lâmina de barbear - shaving blade gilete - razor Hair – Cabelos: prancha (or chapinha) – hair straightener pentear – to comb escovar – to brush enxaguar – to rinse lavar – to wash piranha (or grampo) – hair clip (piranha literally means piranha (as in the carnivorous fish)… and be careful…the word “piranha” also means “slut” when talking about a girl in Portuguese slang) goma (or elastico) – hair tie desgrenhado - discheveled (hair) secador de cabelos – hair dryer franja – bangs cabelo comprido – long hair cabelo curto – short hair mechas – highlights pintar os cabelos - to dye on...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdN3qigp7pg&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Some words in Portuguese reflect a phenomenon often called grammatical gender. This just means that these words belong to a certain group or order. Portuguese has two of these groups: masculine and feminine. We won't get very deep into this subject right now, but, from here on, pay a little attention to the words you meet. I'll give you a little clue: notice that the male Roberto says obrigado and the female Ana says obrigada. More on this to come...

Obrigado and obrigada (in Ana's response) both mean thank you or thanks, so how do we know when to use one or the other? If you're a male, you must say obrigado (just like Roberto), and a female will always say obrigada (just like Ana). Unless you momentarily forget your gender, you'll be just fine.

Pastel is a typical Brazilian dish, consisting of crisp pastry with assorted fillings. In Brazil the Pastel is a salgado (salty snack) primarily sold on the street in markets (feiras) made out of a thin pastry envelope containing minced meat, catupiry and chicken, shrimp, cheese and herbs or another filling and then deep fried. Sweet pastéis also exist and may contain guava jelly and cheese or other fillings.

THE STORY.... Senhor do Bonfim wrist ribbons can be found all throughout latin america. Known as fitas in northern brazil, these ribbons are used as good luck wishing ribbons. Brazils first capital, Salvador, has a rich history of distributing these fitas over the past 200 years. the original fita, created in 1809, was known as the “measure of bonfim.” Measuring 47 centimeters, the bracelets equaled the length of the right arm of a statue of Christ found at the high altar of the Senhor do Bonfim church. From the 18th century onward, millions of people have traveled to the Senhor do Bonfim church in Bahia, asking for miracles. These fitas served as a symbol and remembrance of the miracles and wishes people hoped for. Today the common fita can be found in every corner of Brazil. Patrons most commonly tie them around their left wrist -- making 3 knots for 3 wishes. it is believed that your wishes will only come true by letting your ribbon take its natural course. Let it wither off ...