Brazilian Portuguese for English-Speaking Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Practitioners Perhaps with a little Spanish Thrown in there just to confuse things.
This isn’t a survey course. I’ve just been trying to communicate at the gym and have been trying to write down the words as I learn them. I figure, since other people might be in a similar situation someday I should publish my notes.
First of all, a caveat, I have a bad habit of trying, mentally, to bridge the gaps between Spanish and Portuguese. This is not a good idea. I mean, basic structure and some vocabulary is similar, but the I do not advise attempting a shotgun wedding of these different and distinct Romance languages.
Some of the things they say in English are said as Brazilian words. So things like “Roll”, as in “Nice roll” are pronounced “Hole”. Learning to understand English words in Portuguese is like learning an entirely new language. Susi’s favorite, “Red Hot Chili Peppers” is pronounced “Hedgey Hodgey Shilly Peppers”. “Titanic” is pronounced “Chi Cha Nee Key”.
Oh and this isn’t supposed to be a definitive guide, I am learning Portuguese in Porto Alegre, and I’ve been here a month and a half. They have a bunch of distinctive Gaucho words for things… so your mileage may vary!
| Parts of the Body. | |
|---|---|
| Hips: | Quadril (!) |
| Throat | Garganta |
| Neck | Pescoço |
| Foot | Pé |
| Head | Cabeça |
| Shoulder | Ombro |
| Shoulder Blade | Omo Plata |
| Knees | Joelhos |
| Toes | Dedos do pé |
| Calf | Canela |
| Arm | Braço |
| Belly | Barriga |
| Hand | Mão |
| Back | Costas |
| Elbow | Cotovelo |
| Positional Stuff | |
|---|---|
| Posture | Postura (!) |
| Escape the Hips | Fugir de Quadril |
| All Fours | Vira De Quatro |
| Arm Bar: | Arm(y) Lock(y) |
| Knee Bar | Leg(y) Lock(y) |
| Foot Lock | Chave de pe |
| Americana | Americana |
| Kimura | Kimura |
| Side Control | Cem Kilos |
| Guard | Guarda |
| Mount | Montada |
| Choke | Estrangulamento |
| Triangle | Triângulo |
| Rear Naked Choke | Mata-Leão |
| To Roll: | Roll (Pronounced “Hole”) |
| Pushup | Flexão |
| Situp / Crunch | Abdominal Cortina (?) |
| Grips | Pegadas |
| Queda | Throw |
| Hook | Gancho |
| Puxe | Pull. * |
| Empurre | Push ** |
| Saida | Escape |
| Sweep | Raspar |
| Clock | Relogio |
| Wristlock | Mäo de Vaca |
| Half-Guard | Meia Guarda |
| Encima | Above, on top of |
| Debaixo | Below, beneath |
| Colors and Kit | |
|---|---|
| Belt | Faixa |
| Sleeve: | Manga |
| Collar | Gola |
| Lapel: | |
| Gi | Kimono |
| Mat | Tatame |
| White | Branco |
| Blue | Azul |
| Purple | Roxa |
| Brown | Marron |
| Black | Preta |
Something else I noticed. Learning people’s names is nearly impossible. You ask them their name and they tell you , and then you never hear it again. I’ve been training for about 6 weeks and I have about 4 names myself, so don’t be surprised if they person that told you their name is called by a million different nicknames.
* = This one is a bit tricky, it sounds like “poo-shay” , so you would think it means push. It doesn’t.
** = “em poo hey” Like Spanish.
Tags: BJJ, Brazil, Porto Alegre, Portuguese
November 13th, 2007 at 4:55 pm
Hi
I lived in Brazil for 1.5 years training BJJ and I am fluent in portuguese - if you have any queries let me know and I will do my best to answer them!
cascagrossa2003@yahoo.com.br
Clair
P.S. I am very jealous of you being over there training..grrrrrrr
December 10th, 2007 at 9:53 pm
This is a terrific idea. Since Blogger doesn’t support trackback, I wanted you to know that I highlighted this post.
I can’t wait to estrangulamento someone at class tomorrow!
December 24th, 2007 at 5:48 pm
Thanks Steve! I’ll try to keep this updated as my Portuguese “improves”.
January 7th, 2008 at 5:10 pm
Reminds me I may well take up Clair on that offer: always handy to know more terms. And although I’ve already linked this elsewhere, related episode of the Fightworks Podcast recently:
http://thefightworkspodcast.com/2008/01/06/98-alex-brandao-translates-bjj-portuguese/
January 7th, 2008 at 5:30 pm
Yeah, she kind of disappeared. I’ve downloaded the episode but haven’t listened to it yet.
January 9th, 2008 at 12:10 pm
Good program. Some of it was a bit advanced, but helpful. Knowing what they are attacking is important in tournaments, but in class, well, things like the difference between pull and push are what I’ve found to be the most useful!
January 9th, 2008 at 12:48 pm
Have you done/plan to do any competing in Brazil yet?
January 9th, 2008 at 1:00 pm
Yes. I competed in the South American Championship. It was in Florianopolis, Brasil. I got second in my division.
I’d like to compete in the Brasileiro’s, but that is pretty far away.
It was a good competition, and I’ve never seen so many black belts in one place. Also, I felt vindicated getting second, since I had only had my blue belt for a couple of months and fought against tough and talented guys.
January 9th, 2008 at 1:07 pm
Cool! Although you probably already mentioned that in your blog and I forgot about it. Ahem. :p
Did you find a big difference between competing in the UK and Brazil? I’d assume the main thing would be a shitload more people at Brazilian competitions, especially in the advanced divisions (like all those black belts you mentioned)?
January 9th, 2008 at 5:11 pm
I actually don’t think I did mention it.
There were a number of big differences between Brazil and the UK.
The biggest one was stalling.
They do not allow for any stalling here, and are quick to hand out penalties.
Also, control over who is fighting.
You need to be a member of the CBJJ and have your card with you to compete.
In general, it is more intense. For a lot of people here, this is their career, not something they do for a hobby.