Get to know the meaning of Rio’s slangs
Rio’s people are known for many characteristics such as joy, passion, soccer, carnival and their love for beaches. However, there is no doubt that one of the most outstanding characteristics of this people is their way of talking. Besides their accent, known all over the country mainly because soap operas and movies, their slangs are famous and frequently have unexpected meanings, “tá ligado?”.
If you want to be a part of this “maneiro” way of talking and never feel lost again when you are “trocando uma ideia” with a carioca, “se liga” in this article that Rede Rio prepared for you. We selected the best Rio’s slangs to help you understand, talk and act like you know.
17 Rio’s slangs that you need to know
1- Caô
In Rio, if someone is telling a lie, you don’t say they are lying, but they are “metendo um caô”. “Caô” as well as the expressions “lorota” and “papo furado”, in Rio’s slang dictionary, means lie.
For example:
“Para de caô, eu já sei que você não foi para Copacabana!”
“Stop lying, I already know that you didn’t go to Copacabana!”
2- Bolado
People in Rio don’t get irritated or angry, they get “bolado”. Therefore, when someone gets “bolado” with you, the best thing to do is to find what you have done wrong. They don’t get “bolado” for nothing!
For example:
“Eu estou bolado porque marcamos de ir para a Lapa e você não foi!”
“I am pissed because we agreed to meet in Lapa but you didn’t show up!”
3- Parada
This is one of Rio’s slangs that are spreading all over Brazil. It means the same thing that “trem”, a slang from Minas Gerais, and “bagulho”, a slang from Sao Paulo. These words are used as substitute for the word “thing”.
For example:
Eu separei aquela parada que você pediu!
I have separated that thing you asked me!
It is also used to agree with something that someone is saying to you, as “that’s right” (or “isso mesmo” and “é isso aí” in Portuguese).
4- Mermão
This slang is a mix of two other Portuguese words: “Meu” (mine) and “irmão” (brother). This slang can be used to refer to a person who you are talking with even though he or she is not a friend.
For example:
Mermão, se você continuar contando mentiras, vai “dar ruim” pra você!
Man, if you keep telling lies, something bad is going to happened to you!
A praia estava muito boa hoje, mermão!
The beach was great today, man!
5- Tá ligado?
It is a way of asking if the person who you are talking with understood what you meant.
For example:
Eu vou mais cedo, e te encontro na Barra, tá ligado?
I will go earlier, then I will meet you in Barra, ok?
6- Maneiro
This slang is an adjective which means something is cool, nice, or interesting. Another word “show” is also used in this case.
For example:
Vi um tênis maneiro enquanto passeava pelo Centro hoje!
I saw a cool sneaker while strolling downtown today!
7- Trocar uma ideia
Rio’s people don’t chat, they “trocam uma ideia”. It is a slang used when you need to talk to someone.
For example:
Preciso trocar uma ideia com você sobre a visita ao AquaRio!
I need to talk to you about the visit to AquaRio!
8- Se liga!
When Rio’s people say to someone “se liga!”, this mean that the person needs to pay attention.
For example:
Se liga cara, a sua mãe vai te esperar em frente o hotel Arosa.
Pay attention, man, your mother will pick you up in hotel Arosa.
9- Dar uma moral
When you ask for help in Rio, people don’t help you, they give you “uma moral”.
For example:
Será que você poderia me dar uma moral no trabalho da faculdade?
Could you help me in my work today?
10- Tirar onda
According to Rio’s slang, if someone is doing something different and cool, they are “tirando onda”.
It is also used when you think someone is betraying you.
For example:
Sua irmã tirou onda com aquelas fotos no Cristo Redentor.
Your sister are showing off with her pictures of Christ the Redeemer.
Você tá tirando onda com a minha cara?
Are you taking advantage of me?
11- Rolê
When cariocas go out, they actually go “dar um rolê”.
For example:
Dei um rolê maneiro pela Lapa hoje.
It was a nice stroll through the city today.
12- Coé!
This word is a mix of “qual” (what) and “é” (is) and is used to say hello. However, it also can be used to show outrage.
For example:
Coé mermão, tudo tranquilo?
What’s up, man?
Coé cara, você tá me enrolando?
What’s up, man? Are you messing with me?
13- Já é!
This expression is Rio’s slang most used for confirming something. You can also used “demorou” or “fechou”.
For example:
– Vamos para o Museu do Amanhã às 14hrs, tudo bem?
– Já é!
– Do you want to go to Museum of Tomorrow at 2 p.m.?
– Sure.
14- Deu ruim
When something goes wrong, in Rio, we say “deu ruim”.
For example:
Deu ruim a nossa ida ao shopping, meu cartão foi bloqueado.
Shopping was a bad idea, my credit card was rejected.
15- Mete o pé
In Rio, when we leave, we “mete o pé”.
For example:
Vou meter o pé, porque já está tarde!
I am leaving, it is late.
16- Valeu
This slang is used to say thanks.
For example:
Valeu pelo presente!
Thanks for the gift.
17- Sinistro
In Rio, “sinistro” is an adjective for good or bad things. It depends on context.
For example:
Achei sinistro o resultado das obras do Porto Maravilha.
Porto Maravilha’s reform was pretty good.
Aquela prova de matemática hoje estava sinistra!
My math test today was really difficult.
Do you already consider yourself fluent in carioquês? What are you waiting for to come to the Marvelous City and put all this linguistic knowledge about Rio’s slangs into practice? To live the best experiences in Rio, there is nothing better than staying in the heart of the city, close to various tourist attractions and transportation.
For this, you can count on hotels in downtown Rio of Rede Rio! We have three hotels, prepared to offer you the best experience and all the comfort you need to make the most of your trip.
Get in touch with Rede Rio, know our facilities and make your reservation now!
For more information:
hotel Rio de Janeiro Centro
hotel Lapa Rio de Janeiro
hotel Centro Rio de Janeiro
hotéis na Lapa Rio de Janeiro