Brazilian slang quiz
Want to sound like a local? Let’s see if you know this essential Brazilian slang (not found in your textbook).
Ten words you’ll hear at the boteco, on the beach and in every group chat in Brazil. Each one comes in a real sentence. Pick what it means.
10 slang wordsbeginner to advancedabout 2 minutesno sign-up
Paguei o maior mico ontem.
What does it mean here? Tap an answer to start.
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Free pack
The Brazilian slang pack
22 words locals really say and textbooks leave out. Each card comes with audio, an example and when it’s safe to say.
- 22 cards
- Beginner to advanced
Free · no card
What’s inside
22 words
- micoMeaning hidden until you get the pack
- tretaMeaning hidden until you get the pack
- perrengueMeaning hidden until you get the pack
- rançoMeaning hidden until you get the pack
- vacilarMeaning hidden until you get the pack
- miguéMeaning hidden until you get the pack
- boladoMeaning hidden until you get the pack
- zicaMeaning hidden until you get the pack
- caôMeaning hidden until you get the pack
- tankarMeaning hidden until you get the pack
Brazilian slang quiz
The 10 slang words in this quiz
Here’s what each one means in Brazil, with the sentence it came in.
mico
BeginnerAn embarrassing moment
Paguei o maior mico ontem. I made a total fool of myself yesterday.
With friendstreta
BeginnerDrama, a fight
Não quero entrar nessa treta. I don’t want to get into that drama.
With friendsperrengue
BeginnerA rough time, an ordeal
Passei um perrengue para chegar aqui. I had a really rough time getting here.
With friendsranço
IntermediateStrong dislike, the ick
Peguei ranço daquele cara. I’ve developed a strong dislike for that guy.
With friendsvacilar
IntermediateTo mess up, let someone down
Você vacilou feio dessa vez. You really messed up this time.
With friendsmigué
IntermediateA lame excuse, BS
Essa desculpa foi mó migué. That excuse was total BS.
With friendsbolado
IntermediateUpset, bothered
Fiquei bolado com a notícia. The news left me really upset.
With friendszica
AdvancedBad luck, a jinx
Esse azar todo é muita zica. All this bad luck feels like a curse.
With friendscaô
AdvancedLies, made-up stuff
Para de caô, conta a verdade. Stop making stuff up; tell the truth.
With friendstankar
AdvancedTo handle, cope with
Não tankei aquele final. I couldn’t handle that ending.
With friends
Questions
Is this slang still used?
Yes. Every word here is in everyday use, and each answer says where it’s safe: fine at work, with friends, or best avoided. A few sound younger than others, and the answer tells you which.
Why does the quiz show a sentence?
Slang changes meaning with context, so each word comes in a real sentence. Pick the translation that fits. The first three are common, the last three need more of an ear.
What do I get if I unlock the 12?
A free deck with all 22 words, added for you when you finish setting up: the 10 from the quiz (the ones you missed first, each with its example), then the 12 new ones. Every card has audio and comes back for review just before you’d forget it.
Is this slang used in Portugal?
Not much. Perrengue, treta and caô are Brazilian, and some would get a blank look in Lisbon. There’s a separate quiz for slang from Portugal.
Is caô a Rio word?
Mostly, yes, though you’ll hear it across Brazil now. The rest of the quiz is used nationwide.