Do you think it’s easy for foreign tourists and fans of Rio 2016 to speak Portuguese?
Here are some words and expressions to start practicing. Check them out!
Opening ceremony
One of the most expected and watched moments of the Olympic Games was the cerimônia de abertura – or the Opening Ceremony, which took place on August 5, at Maracana Stadium. It was an artistic spectacle showcasing the Brazilian culture.
Olympic torch
The tocha olímpica (Olympic torch or Olympic flame) is a symbol of the Olympic Games, introduced at Amsterdam 1928. The Rio 2016 torch relay ran since the beginning of May. Until August 5, the tocha was carried by 12,000 torchbearers through 329 Brazilian cities.
Parade of athletes
Athletes and officials represented 207 countries during the desfile de atletas – or parade of athletes. In keeping with Olympic traditions, Greece entered first, while Brazil, the host nation, entered last. Other countries entered in Portuguese alphabetical order.
Team
The group of athletes, coaches and sports delegation of each country – national team, in English – is known as seleção or time (tee-meh) in Brazilian Portuguese. For example, Seleção Brasileira (Brazilian Team). Understood? Now it’s time to say “Vai, Seleção Brasileira”! (“Go, Brasilian Team!”).
Podium
The pódio (podium) is the place every Olympian aims to reach. Did you know the pódio was introduced at the 1930 British Empire Games (now Commonwealth Games), in Hamilton, Ontario? Los Angeles 1932 was the first time a podium was used in an Olympic Game.
Winner
As everyone knows, becoming a vencedor (winner) is the main goal of any atleta (athlete). We can also refer to the winner as campeão (champion).
Medal
The main representation of an athlete’s victory at an Olympic Game is the gold medal or medalha de ouro. Athletes who do not finish first, but still land on the pódio, take home the medalha de prata (silver medal) or the medalha de bronze (bronze medal).
Hot day
August is a winter month in Brazil, but when you are in a tropical country be prepared for a hot day – or dia quente – . Although January and February are the hottest months in Rio, temperatures have hit 32°C during the day of the Olympic month.
Coconut water
A hot day in Brazil + beach + cold água de coco (coconut water) = the perfect combination. Enjoy!