Safety Vocabulary
SAFETY TIP #1: STAY CURIOUS, BE CAUTIOUS
SAFETY TIP #2: LISTEN TO LOCALS (...at least at first)
SAFETY TIP #3: BASIC SUGGESTIONS
Ajuda (help)
Pare (stop)
Sai / vai embora / se saia (get back)
Saia daqui (Leave here)
Vou chamar à polícia (I will call the police)
Arma (weapon)
Não me sinto segura (I do not feel safe)
Estou com medo (I am scared)
Onde fica a delegacia? (Where is the police station?)
Chama a polícia (Call the police)
Chama uma ambulância (Call the ambulance)
Onde fica o hospital mais perto? (Where is the closest hospital?)
Eu preciso de um tradutor (I need a translator)
Fui roubado/a (I was robbed)
Fui assaltado/a (I was assaulted)
Eu quero registrar uma ocorrência (I want to register an accident)
Eu preciso falar com um embaixador Americano (I need to talk with an American ambassador)
É uma emergencia (This is an emergency)
Safety
For many foreigners, safety is a primary concern when embarking on a journey to Brazil. We hope you will never need to use the majority of these terms, but you may feel more prepared having this vocabulary on hand to use just in case. Let's learn and practice vocabulary to help feel more confident about sua segurança no Brasil!
Our safety section has just one subsection of general vocabulary, listed below. Scroll down for flashcards and general safety tips. Our recordings for safety feature Diandra, a female from Natal, RN.
Flashcards: General Vocabulary
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Match: By clicking on boxes, match the Portuguese word or phrase to the English one until all the boxes disappear.
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Learn: Prompted by a Portuguese word or phrase, choose the correct English translation from four different options.
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Test: Complete 20 written, matching, multiple choice, and true/false questions.
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Flashcards: Like a deck of cards, flip through each term one by one.
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Spell: Type what you hear.
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Segurança
Head on over to our podcast and assessment section!
Ready to further test your safety knowledge?
Many North Americans arrive in Brazil with many ideas and concerns about safety and security based on things we've seen or heard in the media. We encourage you to approach your time in Brazil with an open mind. Not all of what you may have heard is true. However, it is a fact that violence and/or the threat of violence is a reality across the country. Each individual will find a balance between exploring their new home and staying safe, and we encourage you to do what feels right for you.
Even if you are the most adventurous person you've ever met, remember that the people in your new Brazilian city know the area far better than you do. For the first few weeks or months, pay attention to what they are saying about safe and dangerous areas and activities. As time passes and you get more comfortable, whether (and how) you decide to test the waters is up to you! Please use your best judgment, and always tell someone what you're up to before you head out.
If you are in a city with serious violence, here are some general tips...
- Never walk long distances with something (i.e. computer) you would be upset to lose.
- If it's dark, Uber or Taxi. Always.
- Lock all of your doors, windows, and any other potential entries into your house/apartment.
- Carry your money and belongings close to your body and hidden at all times.
- Never lose eyesight of your drink at a bar. If you put it down and walk away, leave it.
- Trust your gut. Play it safe. And keep your guard up.
- Make sure you have a back-up way to get home. If your phone dies, have money for a taxi. If you are robbed, make sure you have a taxi card or a phone number memorized to get back home.
