Anyone born in the city of Porto, or who has lived here for many years, knows that there are very typical expressions and words that, for example, are unknown in Lisbon, or simply aren’t used there. Famous for their very unique way of life ( and also for their way of speaking), the people of Porto could almost create their “own dictionary,” one that’s almost exclusively understood in Porto and/or other parts of Northern Portugal. Shall we take a look at them?
Only those from Porto understand
These are, then, a few (among many others) expressions that only those from Porto and/or the northern region will understand.
For everyday life
- Laurear a pevide: to go for a walk, take a stroll
- Briol: cold (very cold)
- Dia de picó boi: work day
- Ter um foguete: a run in your tights
- Não perceber patavina: not understand a thing about the subject
- Arreganhar a taxa: to laugh and show one’s teeth
- Esbardalhar: to fall
- Aloquete: padlock
- Alapar: to sit very still
- Mandar bitaites: to give unsolicited advice
- Amarfanhar: to squeeze or press something tightly
- (B)Vergar a mola: to work hard, to put in the hours
- Dar de frosques: to leave (take off)
- Bicha: a line (for example, a waiting line)
- Estar com o toco: to be in a bad mood
- Breca: a cramp
- Jeco: a dog
- Carago: an interjection that works in most situations (surprise, joy, annoyance—basically, it fits everything!)
- Adiantar um grosso: It’s not even worth it
- Andar de cu tremido: to drive
- Bolinha pinchona: down south they say “bolinha saltitona”
- Lapada: a slap, a smack
- Chamar o Gregório: to vomit
- Comer o caco: to mess up
Affectionate ‘insults’ and ‘slang’
- (B)Vais toda lampeira: to describe someone who is very vain
- (B)Vai no Batalha: You’re telling me “stories”; you’re “stringing me along”; it’s a load of nonsense; it’s a lie
- Armar ao pingarelho: to try to show off one’s cleverness without actually being clever
- (Ó) (b)vai-me à loja: don’t bother me, go away
- Broeiro: someone with no manners, rude
- Wake up on the wrong side of the bed: wake up in a bad mood
- Arrotar postas de pescada: to brag, to talk without knowing what you’re talking about
- Andor (b)violeta: Get out, disappear!
About eating and drinking
- Estrugido: The first step in any Portuguese dish. In other regions, they say “refogado”
- Encher a mula: to eat (and eat well)
- I want a ‘fino’: the same as an ‘imperial’ further south
- Pneu (drink): mineral water with ice and lemon and a packet of sugar, which comes on the side for those who want it
- Surbia: a beer
- Molete: a regular bread
About death
- Ir de vela: something that has ended, been lost, and/or come to an end
- Esticou o pernil: died
- Bater a caçoleta: to die
- Foi fazer tijolos: died
And you, do you use and/or know any of these expressions?
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