Rio de Janeiro is a big, lively city with lots of amazing places to visit. What’s more, Carioca expressions are very characteristic, and the accent is unmistakable!
In fact, some things only make sense to people from Rio de Janeiro, don’t they? That’s why we’ve put together some of the many Carioca expressions here – so you can ‘get in touch’ when you visit the city!
Carioca expressions
1 – “Parada”
This expression is used to refer to any object or situation. In addition, it can also be used as “isso mesmo”, or “é isso aí”, to agree with something.
“I’ve prepared that parade you asked for!“
2 – “Se liga”
Are you paying attention to this article? No, then get on with it! The meaning of this expression is to ask someone to pay attention.
“Pay attention, man, your dad will be waiting for you in front of the school.”
3 – “Bolado”
If you want to spend a few days in Rio, then understand one thing: cariocas don’t get worried and angry, they get “bolado”.
“I’m getting mad about the bus taking so long!“
4 – “Caraca”
Want to express amazement when visiting Rio? Then use “caraca”. But be careful, because depending on the intonation it can mean surprise or disappointment.
“Wow, what an incredible view!“
5 – “Good blood”
When a person is trustworthy or seems to be a good person, they are “good blood”.
“That cousin of yours is very good blood“.
6 – “0800”
In Rio, when something is free, you can use the expression “0800”.
“I heard the dinner was going to be 0800“.
7 – “No kidding”
This expression is usually used to indicate discontent.
“Are you going to be late? Be serious!”
8 – “Mermão”
It’s a synonym for “man”, but also a shorter version of “my brother”.
“Bro, did you see that news story yesterday?“
9 – “Give morale”
This expression is used to give importance to something or someone. However, it can also be used as a synonym for help. So, if you need something from a carioca, he’ll give you a “moralzinha”!
“Juliana, can you give me a boost with this text here?“
10 – “Coé”
This is the sum of “qual” and “é”. Thus, this expression is used as a form of greeting among cariocas.
“Coé, mermão, how are you?“
11 – “Já é”
Have you received an invitation and accepted it? This expression is used to agree to do something, but also to say that someone can count on you.
“Shall we goto the movies?”
“-Yeah !“
12 – “Cool”
Something “cool” is the same as cool and interesting.
“I saw a cool dress today!“
13 – “Sinister”
This expression can be both good and bad. It depends on the context.
“That geography exam was sinister!“
“Priscila is really bad as a video editor!”
14 – “It went badly”
If something didn’t work out, then “it was bad”.
“Itwent badly at work.”
15 – “Exchange an idea”
This is slang for when you need to talk to someone.
“I need to talk to you about our trip to Portugal!“
16 – “Vamo marcar!”
This expression is a subtle carioca way of saying that this meeting isn’t going to happen any time soon. You know when you meet someone you haven’t seen in a while and you just want to be nice? Then “vamo marcar” (just like that, without the s) is perfect!
“Hi, Pedro! You’ve been missing, haven’t you? Shall we go out sometime?” “Yes, let’s”
17 – “Tá mec!”
This is the favorite slang most spoken by young people! But if you’re not young, let us explain! It means that something is smooth, quiet.
“How’s life?” “Tá mec!”
18 – “Papo reto”
When a carioca wants to talk seriously to someone, he says “um papo reto”, in other words, he says what he needs to without beating around the bush. In addition, this carioca expression can also mean that you agree with something.
“Papo reto: you need to take care of your health!”
“Wow, I’m really hungry” “Me too, papo reto”
19 – “Meter o pé”
Cariocas use this expression when they want to leave or when they want someone to keep their distance.
“It’s too cold here, I’m going to leave!”
“Put your foot down, I don’t want to talk to you anymore”
20 – “Broaching”
“Hitting on” is nothing more than going somewhere or inviting someone to show up at the agreed place.
“Are you going to do that samba tonight?”
“I’m having a barbecue at the weekend. Sprout there!”
21 – “Still”
Although not all Cariocas use this slang, it is very famous in the city. And “ainda” is often used among young people to confirm, to express certainty.
“Are we going to samba tomorrow?” “Still! I can’t miss it!”