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Every language has expressions that sound bizarre when translated literally or interpreted literally. For example, “it’s raining cats and dogs” — it’s funny if a non-English speaker would interpret it literally… but it makes perfect sense to any English speaker! These expressions are called , and they offer fascinating insights into a culture’s history, values, […]

Whether you’re exploring Portugal or trying to find a specific metro station, one thing you’ll ask a lot is: followed by a place or name. Or maybe someone will ask you,  after hearing you speak such fantastic Portuguese! That’s why “getting around” vocabulary is some of the most practical Portuguese you’ll learn. It helps you […]

Have you ever tried speaking textbook Portuguese to a native speaker, only to receive a confused look in return? Learning a language from traditional resources is valuable, but to truly connect with locals, you need to understand how people actually talk in everyday situations. Imagine if someone asked you the following, “Do you want to […]

When you first start learning a language like Portuguese, dopamine drives you forward. The novelty of new sounds, words, and cultural insights creates a natural high. Everything is new and and progress seems to come easily. But then reality sets in. You realize just how big the elephant really is. The initial excitement fades as […]

One thing you’ll figure out pretty quickly when learning a new language is that you can’t always translate word-for-word from English. And automatic translations will steer you wrong sometimes 😅 Take English “phrasal verbs” for example — expressions like “look up,” “give in,” or “run into.” These combine a verb with a preposition or adverb to create […]

Have you ever heard anyone speak like this: “I walk a lot. I bike a lot. I drive if it’s cold. I drive if it’s raining.”? Probably not. The flow of that feels jarring and unnatural. And the problem is not the repetition—it’s the lack of flow. Without conjunctions (or, and, but, etc.), even grammatically correct phrases can […]

Maybe you’ve felt that “YES!” moment: a Portuguese speaker says something, and suddenly, the words click. Your brain lights up, your heart races—it’s ! But language learning, like Dr. Seuss warned, comes with its “sometimes you won’t” days. Even seasoned learners miss words, freeze mid-conversation, or nod along pretending to understand (we’ve all been there […]

We’ve all done it: naming each item as we pack our suitcase or mutter “phone… keys… wallet” while patting our pockets before leaving the house. But what if you could turn this autopilot ritual into a Portuguese learning opportunity? By naming items in your suitcase, backpack, or grocery bag in Portuguese as you handle them, […]