Portuguese Expressions

You Didn't Really Say That...

I recently found a children’s library in a park near our home. I found I could get a library card by presenting my passport, NIF, and lease agreement. The first day I took out five books and was able to read three of the five pretty easily. They were the simplest and also stories (e.g. Little Red Riding Hood) that I already knew.

Reading vs. Speaking

I probably wrote before that Denise has a far larger vocabulary than I do. First, she started in August while I waited till December. Second, she is more disciplined…studying at least 30-60 minutes EVERY day, while I have been known to take breaks that last a week or more. As such, when we need to read something I will often ask for Denise’s help before I use a translator app.

But that being said (or written), you can often understand the words but not understand the meaning. In fact, on more than one occasion, we knew the English translation of the words but failed to understand the meaning. Of course, this exists in every language: dumb as a doornail, to give someone a cold shoulder, go on a wild goose chase, etc. So today, permit me to share with you just three of my favorite Portuguese expressions.

Empurro com a Meu Estômago

Literally, this means, “I push with my stomach”. We first heard it said by one of our bankers when attempting to explain the process of getting our ATM cards. When we asked about its meaning we were told, it was an expression used when trying to work through a slow process. This made perfect sense given the five weeks it took for us to get our Multibanco (ATM) cards.

As an aside, and to provide an update: this weekend we learned that our SEF meetings have been rescheduled. Mine is on 30 July and Denise’s is on 2 August. While neither is scheduled in Cascais, and both will require 30-minute trips on Uber, we are happy to have these scheduled. Also, in the middle of this post, I just completed what I believe is my fifth email regarding getting a provisional “numero de utente” (health number) so I can get in the queue for the Covid vaccine. I should not be surprised that email recipient number four told me to send the exact same information to email recipient five. Rather than her forwarding my earlier email, I guess “empurro com a meu estômago”.

Bom Como o Milho

On a lighter note, I offer my second favorite Portuguese expression: “bom como o milho” or in English “good as corn”. If you have a “dirty” mind you have already figured out that his means a man is sexy. Enough said….

Queimar as Paestanas

Finally, we end this post with the Portuguese expression which literally means “burning the eyelashes”…which is another way of saying I have read or studied too much. Never wanting you to burn your eyelashes, I will end for today.

Fica Bem … and if you are so inclined, please share this with a friend.