Note: One kilo = 2.2 lbs.

Pronunciation Notes

Vowels are pronounced as in Italian and Japanese (as though that helps!) unless you see diacritics over or under the letter, like these: é, ã, ü. In these cases, people will understand you most of the time (mais o menos), if you just pronounce them as you would without the diacritics. Consonants are pronounced as in English (more or less), with the exception of R, which is pronounced as H at the beginning of the word and sometimes in the middle too. M at the end of a word is pronounced as N (as in "tudo bem"). C is pronounced like K, unless it is followed by I or E, in which case it is pronounced like S. However, if there is a diacritic under the letter (like this: ç), then it is pronounced as S. Also, if a T is followed by a I or E, then it is pronounced like CH (as in church). For example, "nocaute" (knockout) is pronounced nakouch with the stress on the second syllable (the ouch part). If a D is followed by a I or E, it is pronounced like J (as in judge). If I could remember anything from the phonology classes I took in college, I'd give you a lot of mumbo-jumbo terminology, but since you probably wouldn't understand it, it's just as well that I can't.

Some idiosyncrasies of Carioca Portuguese

Cariocas (at least jiu-jitsu guys) lately have been extending the rule mentioned above about the Ts and Ds when followed by I and E. Now you will hear them saying things like "Hotchy Bloodjy" (for Hot Blood), and "Pridjy" (for Pride). Cariocas in general tend to pronounce S as Z when it is in the vicinity of I and as SH when it is nearby O or U. Not always, but often, especially when compared to Paulista (someone from São Paulo). For example, someone from São Paulo will  pronounce "mais o menos" as maiz o menos while a Carioca will say maij o menosh.

**A recent tendency almost defies phonological description. It is exemplified by the following: on Robson Gracie's television program Herois do Ringue in which he discusses the fight world with co-host Jayme Rousso, he pronounces the name of his primo (cousin) Royce like this:

Hoysee Grace

In other words, putting the "ee" part that you expect to hear at the end of "Gracie", but at the end of Royce instead, and not pronouncing it where it is supposed to be.

**

Many thanks to Leka Vieira, Aloisio Silva, and Taka for help in constructing this glossary and to Carlos Eduardo Loddo for for proofreading and valuable commentary.

GTR index

(c) 2000-2009, R.A. Pedreira. All rights reserved.