"Sei lá. It means you are totally indecisive about whatever a person is asking you. When you are stuck in a decision you can say, 'sei lá.' It can also mean that there is a hidden disagreement. Instead of no you can say, 'sei lá.'"
- Alezi
"Sei lá"
"Fique peixe"
"Oxe!"
"When you don't understand why something happened. It's like, 'Why? Why is this happening?' Or if someone is saying something you don't agree with you say, 'oxe?'" - Stefany & Diandra
"EITA!"
"It is an interjection when something surprising is about to happen. Something good/bad just "went down" or is going to. It is used to emphasis something, and is often followed by cuss words to add extra emphasis."
- Matheus
"Anytime I see someone getting really stressed out about something, I just say, 'fique peixe,' everything is going to be alright. It means to go with the flow, be like a fish." - Fernanda
Bem vindo ao Nordeste!
Welcome to Northeast Brazil! The northeast region includes the following states: Alagoas, Bahia, Ceará, Maranhão, Paríba, Pernambuco, Piauí, Rio Grande do Norte, e Sergipe. Known for year-round sunshine, sand dunes, and great beaches, the northeast is home to friendly and welcoming people. Although the accents vary state to state, people in the Northeast tend to refrain from "sh" or nasal sounds, and often add an "e" sound to the end of their words.
Using the links below or the dropdown menu at the top of this page, navigate to each Northeast vocabulary section. (Feel free to peruse the Southeast Section, but note that the vocabulary and accents will be slightly different.) We designed this course so you could access, learn, and review different key topics in the order you see fit. However, we strongly recommend that you familiarize yourself the Introductions section first. On each vocabulary section's page, you'll find a series of sub-sections with specific word lists and flashcards, and some vocabulary sections feature a mock conversation.
Below are four popular phrases used in Natal, RN. Along with hand-signals, Brazilians frequently use various vernacular phrases in friendly discussions.