Brazil knows how to throw a party. From Christmas and New Year’s to Festa Junina and Carnival, the warmth, humor, and rhythm of Brazilians shine through in every celebration. You can even hear it in the way people speak, especially around the holidays.
Whether you come to Brazil during the festive season or simply want to add some magic to your Portuguese, here are 5 delightful phrases, idioms, and jokes to help you sound more like a local.
1. “Entrar o ano com o pé direito”
Literal translation: To enter the year with the right foot.
Meaning: To start the new year on the right foot – with good luck.
When to use it: On New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day, when you want to wish someone good luck:
Que você entre o ano com o pé direito!
May you start the year off right!
The fun part is that many Brazilians literally step into the new year with their right foot first at midnight. Superstition? Perhaps. Charming? Absolutely.
2. “Tá igual rabanada: só aparece no Natal.”
Literal translation: You’re like rabanada: you only show up at Christmas.
Rabanada is a traditional Brazilian Christmas dessert similar to French toast—sweet, rich, and strongly associated with the holiday season.
Meaning: Said to someone you haven’t seen in a long time—usually with a teasing, affectionate tone.
When to use it: That cousin who disappears all year but shows up for Christmas dinner? That friend who only appears at holiday parties? Drop this line and watch everyone laugh:
E aí, sumido? Tá igual rabanada: só aparece no Natal!
Hey, stranger! You’re just like rabanada – you only show up at Christmas!
3. “Nem Papai Noel dá conta.”
Literal translation: Even Santa Claus couldn’t handle it.
Meaning: Used when a situation is so chaotic or out of control that not even Santa could fix it.
When to use it: Imagine the family gift exchange devolving into a shouting match over who bought the last panettone, wrapping paper everywhere, kids running around…
Essa bagunça? Nem Papai Noel dá conta!
This mess? Even Santa couldn’t handle it!
Perfect for those gloriously chaotic family moments.
4. “Ano novo, vida nova.”
Literal translation: New year, new life.
Meaning: A fresh start, new beginnings, new goals. It’s a classic expression in Brazil during New Year’s—short, hopeful, and widely used.
When to use it: In a toast, a message, a card, or even an Instagram caption:
Ano novo, vida nova. Bora fazer acontecer!
New year, new life. Let’s make it happen!
This one is basically the Brazilian version of “new year, new me,” but less cheesy and more heartfelt.
5. Holiday Joke: “Qual é o doce preferido do Papai Noel?”
Portuguese:
Qual é o doce preferido do Papai Noel?
What’s Santa Claus’s favorite candy?Answer: Bala-la-la-la-la!
Bala means “candy” in Brazilian Portuguese. The punchline plays on “bala” + the “la-la-la-la-la” from Christmas songs.
Yes, it’s a groaner—but it’s a Brazilian groaner. And it hits better when you say it out loud with a big grin.
Brazilians love puns (trocadilhos), and this kind of silly wordplay is everywhere at holiday gatherings.
