The 70 Best Brazilian Proverbs (translation And Meaning)
Brazil is a country in South America whose Latin and especially Portuguese influences were the main causes of the country’s official language being Portuguese.
In ancient times this nation was inhabited only by indigenous people, but starting in the year 1500 the Portuguese discovered this country and after the so-called treaty of Tordesillas, they annexed this region to the Kingdom of Portugal. Brazil obtained its desired independence during the year 1822 but the customs, language and culture of the Portuguese remained forever linked to this great nation.
Proverbs are a fundamental part of the cultural and intellectual heritage of any country. In Brazil, proverbs reflect the rich cultural diversity and life experiences of its people. These short and concise sayings encapsulate important lessons and often offer practical advice for everyday life. This article explores some of the most well-known Brazilian proverbs, their meanings, and how they apply to daily living.
Proverbs in Brazil serve as a mirror reflecting the values, beliefs, and traditions of the society. They provide insight into the collective wisdom and common sense that guide people’s actions and decisions.
Historical Context: Many proverbs have historical roots and have been passed down through generations, preserving the cultural identity of the nation.
Moral Lessons: They often carry moral and ethical lessons that promote good behavior and social harmony.
Proverbs are used in daily conversations to offer advice, express common truths, and resolve conflicts.
Practical Advice: They provide practical guidance on how to handle various situations, from personal relationships to professional challenges.
Conflict Resolution: Proverbs can help mediate disputes by offering a common ground of understanding.
Brazilian proverbs and their meaning
Would you like to know the most used and well-known proverbs in Brazil?
Below you can enjoy the 70 best Brazilian proverbs, many of them were shared with this people by the Portuguese or Spanish and others are typical of their own culture. We hope you enjoy them.
1. Sujo falando do poorly washed. The pan calls the pot.
We should not complain about others if we ourselves are not a good reference.
2. Now there is no hard wood. A good hunger no hard bread.
When you are really hungry you are capable of eating anything.
3. Quem madruga, Deus ajuda / Deus ajuda quem cedo madruga. God helps he who rises early.
He who gets up early to work has a better chance of prospering.
4. From grão em grão to galinha enche o papo. Every day add a grain and you will make a lot.
Little by little we will reach our goal.
5. The more I conheço the homens the more I admire the puppies. The more you know men, the more you admire dogs.
People have many negative aspects, but dogs will always be 100 percent honest with us.
6. Quem no arrisca no petisca. Nothing ventured nothing gained.
In order to obtain a profit, we will almost always have to risk part of our assets.
22. Cavalo dice does not smell your teeth. You don’t look a gift horse in the mouth.
If they give us something for free, no matter how bad it is, it will always be a benefit for us.
23. The best perfumes are in the smallest bottles. Fine perfumes come in small containers.
Small packages usually contain the most expensive products, this is something that is commonly said to people of small stature.
24. Pressed eat cru. In a hurry he eats raw.
If you are in a hurry it is better not to waste time.
25. More worth a passarinho in the mão do than 2 flying. One bird in hand is better than two in flight.
It is better to stay with something safe than not to risk. Taking risks can lead to us being left with nothing.
26. Costume de casa vai à praça. The custom of the house goes to the square.
Those customs that we have in private, we will normally also demonstrate in public.
27. Let me know, friend. He who warns is a friend.
He who warns is not a traitor, if they warn us of something we must listen to them.
28. Mind empty diabo office. Empty mind, devil’s office.
People who are not very intelligent tend to get into more trouble.
29. A pressa e imiga da perfeição. Rush is the enemy of perfection.
In order to do something more effectively we should not be in a hurry.
30. Manda quem pode obey quem tem juízo. He who can command, he who has judgment obeys.
If we cannot gain control, we must know how to stay in the background.
31. Prevention is better than remedy. Prevention is better than cure.
Taking measures as soon as possible will help us make a bad future less.
32. Quem bate esquece quem apanha não. Whoever hits, forgets who is hit.
He who repeatedly abuses others does not usually remember all the abuses he commits.
33. Pepper the other two is a soda. Pepper in the eyes of others is a refreshment.
If others have been harmed, we must be careful.
34. Don’t make a storm in the water. Don’t make a storm in a glass of water.
We should not exaggerate things, we should stay calm.
35. Filho de peixe, peixinho é. Like father Like Son.
Parents and children with the same profession or ability.
36. Achado is not red. If you find something you can keep it.
What we find lying on the street does not belong to anyone.
37. O que os olhos no veem o coração no sente. Out of sight, out of mind.
If our lover does not find out about an infidelity, he or she will not be able to act accordingly.
38. Never leave it to someone that you can do something. Do not leave for tomorrow what you can do today.
We must seize the moment and do all the work we can today.
39. Quem ama o feio, pretty it seems. He who loves what is ugly, finds it beautiful.
Value personality more than someone’s beauty. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
40. Rir é o melhor remédio. Laughing heals everything.
Laughter is undoubtedly the best remedy, it alleviates any evil we have.
41. There are no roses without thorns. There are not roses without spines.
In order to obtain something very beautiful or valuable, we must always suffer to obtain it.
42. A união face a força. Union make force.
People acting in groups are much more powerful.
43. Quem com ferro fere, com ferro will be ferrido. He who wounds with iron is wounded with iron.
If we do evil to others, they can do the same to us.
44. I don’t have anything, I hunt with a cat. Whoever doesn’t have a dog, hunts with a cat.
We must know how to use all the resources at our disposal.
45. Macaco velho do not polish with dry galho. An old monkey does not jump on dry branches.
The devil knows more because he is old than because he is a devil. Experience is undoubtedly a degree in life.
46. Every jump has a real estate. Every joke has some truth.
Knowing how to read between the lines will allow us to know a person’s real intentions.
47. Quem waiting always reaches. He who waits always arrives.
If we are patient we will achieve our goal.
48. A corda always snatches from the weakest side. The rope always breaks on the weaker side.
The most fragile link is always the first to break, knowing how to identify it can save us many problems in life.
49. Waiting is the last time I die. Hope is the last thing you lose.
Hope is necessary to be successful in life, we must never lose it.
50. Behind a great homem, there is always a great woman. Behind a great man there is always a great woman.
A saying that holds a great truth, every great man always achieves his goal because a great woman has known how to positively influence him.
51. Do not count the pintos after they are born. Don’t count chickens before they hatch.
We should not sell the bear’s skin before hunting it, we should not anticipate consequences. We must learn to be more cautious.
52. Quem tem boca went to Rome. By asking you get to Rome.
If we don’t ask we will never get the answer we need.
53. At night all the cats are brown. At night all cats are brown.
The night can confuse things and make us believe that something is different.
54. Quem semeia vento, colhe tempestade. He who sows winds, reaps storms.
What we do in society is what society will pay us with. Our actions determine our future.
55. O fim justifies the meios. The end justifies the means.
To achieve a very valuable goal, we must do what it takes.
56. When you don’t want, you don’t brigam. It takes two to dance a tango.
In order to carry out certain activities, we must be several people. We can’t do certain things alone.
57. You cannot play a book without a layer. You can’t judge a book by its cover.
Appearances can be deceiving, we must really know someone to be able to judge them correctly.
58. No fly enters a dated mouth. Loose lips sink ships.
It is better not to say something that could expose us. Don’t say anything that can’t improve the silence.
59. The last will be the first. The last will be the first.
That luck is with us is essential to be successful in our performance. This fact is something that can allow those who are last to arrive at a place to have a greater benefit than those who were there before.
60. The more you fear, the more you love. He who has more, wants more.
Human beings always want to possess more, more goods, more luxuries and more pleasures.
61. To my understanding, few words are enough. A good listener, few words are enough.
If the other person understands what we mean, we may need very few words to understand each other.
62. Giving is better than receiving. It’s better to give than to receive.
Generosity is a very beneficial quality and speaks very positively about us.
63. Faça o bem, sem olhar a quem. Do good and do not look at who.
For society to improve, we must all do good in our lives.
64. I sleep a lot and don’t learn. He who sleeps a lot learns little.
In order to learn, we must study for it. Studying can be quite an arduous task and will require our dedication.
65. A step and step anda-se per day a good piece. Step by step, you go a long way every day.
With our willpower and perseverance we will achieve our goal.
66. Or that twelve never bitteru. What is sweet never turned bitter.
Nobody says no to being able to experience true pleasure. Some things cannot be rejected.
67. No prophet on his land. No one is a prophet in his land.
In order to succeed in our profession, it is very likely that we will have to travel.
68. Cá e lá, más fadas há. Here and there, there are bad fairies.
There are problems everywhere, as we would say in Spain: beans are boiling everywhere.
69. Quem muito encompasses little embrace. He who embraces much, embraces little.
To be more effective, we must concentrate all our strength and concentration on a specific task.
70. Quem se mete em atalhos, mete-se em trabalhos. He who takes shortcuts, gets into jobs.
Trying to skip steps to achieve a goal may lead to a penalty in the end. It is better to be careful and not leave anything to chance. Easy paths do not exist.
Brazilian proverbs are a rich tapestry of wisdom that reflects the cultural, moral, and social values of the country. They provide practical advice, moral lessons, and a sense of shared identity. By understanding and applying these proverbs, we can gain insight into Brazilian culture and learn valuable life lessons that transcend cultural boundaries.
FAQs
What is the significance of Brazilian proverbs?
Brazilian proverbs encapsulate the wisdom, values, and cultural heritage of the people, offering practical advice and moral lessons for everyday life.
How do proverbs reflect Brazilian culture?
Proverbs reflect Brazilian culture by embodying the collective experiences, values, and beliefs of the society, passed down through generations.
Can Brazilian proverbs be applied universally?
Many Brazilian proverbs contain universal truths and lessons that can be applied to various cultural contexts, despite their specific cultural origins.
How are proverbs used in daily Brazilian life?
Proverbs are commonly used in daily conversations to offer advice, resolve conflicts, and express common truths in a relatable manner.
What can we learn from Brazilian proverbs?
Brazilian proverbs teach us about persistence, patience, respect, courage, and the importance of moral values, providing timeless wisdom applicable to many aspects of life.
