Portuguese is considered one of the most beautiful languages in the world, some may even say it comes second only to Italian (my personal point of view=). Let’s explore some of the most beautiful words in Portuguese that cannot be found in English. Share these words with your loved ones and friends. Vamos là !
1. Cafuné
Cafuné is a way for lovers to show each other affection by tenderly running their fingers through their partner’s hair. There is no equivalent word in English. For me, this is the most beautiful word in Portuguese
Ex: Nico cafuné a sua namorada no sofá, enquanto eles assistem filme. (Nico caresses his girlfriend’s hair on the couch while they watch a movie.)
2. Xodó
Xodó is something or someone that you spend a lot of affection for them, we can understand that the things or the people that you love.
Ex: Meu cachorro é meu xodó. ( My dog is my baby)
3. Saudade
A feeling of sadness and homesickness caused by the separation of a loved one. In SMS in Portuguese, you could use the “sd“.
Ex: Laisa, Faz muito tempo que não nos vemos, muito saudade de você. ( Laisa, It’s been a long time since we’ve seen each other, I miss you so much.)
4. Apaixonar
You fall in love, or you have the development of strong feelings of attachment, usually towards another person.
Ex: Ela se apaixonou por ele no primeiro olhar (She fell in love with him at first sight)
5. Fofo/a
It is an adjective to describe someone or something very cute, the English word means cute.
Ex: Que fofo seu gato! (What a cute cat!)
6. Cadê
“Cadê” is a colloquial and informal way of saying “onde” in Portuguese, which means “where” in English.
Ex: Cadê meu celular? (where is my phone?)
7. Beleza
This word itself literally means beauty, and it’s often abbreviated as blz in the messages, besides it has 3 other meanings:
- Used in exclamation
Ex: Que beleza!
- When you greet your friends (informal)
Ex: Tudo beleza? (= Todo bem?) (What’s up?)
- To confirm you agree to something
Ex: Meu amigo: Lembre-se de enviar esse documento para mim esta noite, beleza?
Mim: Beleza. (ok)
Realted blog: SMS in Portuguese: All the Essential Abbreviations You Need to Know
8. Legal
A way to say “cool” or “great” in Brazilian Portuguese. In Portuguese european, people say “muito fixe”.
Ex: Você fala português, muito legal! (You speak Portuguese, so cool!)
9. Pois é
As a positive confirmation in a conversation. It’s also what people say when they don’t know what else to say.
Ex: Meu amigo: Você quer ir ao cinema esta noite ? (Do you want to go to the movies tonight?)
Mim: Pois é. (well, hmm)
10. Gratidão
The word indicates the contemplation and recognition of something good or someone’s favorable performance in our lives. I found that Brazilians use this word more often than other romance languages.
Ex: Sinto uma gratidão pela minha família, aqueles que estão sempre ao meu lado nos momentos difíceis (I feel gratitude for my family, those who are always by my side in difficult times)
Frequently asked questions:
1. What is the most beautiful Portuguese word?
The Portuguese language is known for its beauty and melodic sound, and there are many words in Portuguese that are considered beautiful. One word that is often mentioned as the most beautiful is “cafuné.” Cafuné is a word that describes the act of running your fingers through someone’s hair, usually in a loving and affectionate manner. It is a simple and sweet word that evokes feelings of comfort and warmth.
2. Is Portuguese a beautiful language?
Yes, Portuguese is a beautiful language that is known for its musicality and expressiveness. It has a rich history and is spoken in many different countries around the world, including Brazil, Portugal, Angola, Mozambique, and others. Portuguese is known for its soft and flowing sounds, as well as its use of intonation and rhythm. Many people find the language to be sensual and romantic, making it a popular choice for poetry and music.
3. What is the biggest word in Portuguese?
The biggest word in Portuguese is “anticonstitucionalissimamente.” This word has 29 letters and is often used as an example of a very long word in Portuguese. It is a combination of several words, including “anti-constitutional,” which means something that is against the constitution, and “mente,” which means “ly” in English. The word is used to describe something that is done in a highly unconstitutional manner and is rarely used in everyday conversation.
P/S: In French, the longest word is “anticonstitutionnellement,” which has 25 letters. Both words share the same root word “anticonstitutionnel” or “anticonstitucional,”
From its romantic phrases to its descriptive terms, the language adds depth and nuance to our communication. I hope that this post has sparked an interest in learning more about beautiful words in Portuguese language and its rich vocabulary. I encourage you to share the words and phrases you’ve learned with your loved ones and friends, and continue to discover the magic of this language.
