Carioca Crash Course: Portuguese made easy for Olympic tourists and fans to Rio 2016
Heading to Rio 2016 this summer? It’s time to start learning some Brazilian Portuguese like the Rio locals (cariocas) to show off in and out of the Olympic venues.
Here are some words and expressions to start practicing before the beginning of Rio 2016. Check them out!
Opening ceremony
One of the most expected and watched moments of the Olympic Games is the cerimônia de abertura – or the Opening Ceremony. The Rio 2016 cerimônia de abertura will take place on August 5, at Maracana Stadium. This is an opportunity to see an artistic spectacle showcasing the Brazilian culture.
RELATED: 9 Magical Maracana moments
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 has been running since the beginning of May. Through August 5, the tocha will have been carried by 12,000 torchbearers through 329 Brazilian cities.
RELATED: 10 amazing places the torch has travelled
Parade of athletes
Athletes and officials will represent 207 countries during the desfile de atletas – or parade of athletes. In keeping with Olympic traditions, Greece will enter first, while Brazil, the host nation, will enter last. Other countries will enter in Portuguese alphabetical order. But don’t worry, Canadians: Canada also starts with ‘C’ in Portuguese – not with ‘K’ – and it won’t take too long to see Team Canada, as it will be the 38th country to show up.
RELATED: Rio 2016 Team Canada collection by Hudson’s Bay
Seleção
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 Canadense (Team Canada) or Seleção Brasileira (Brazilian Team). Understood? Now it’s time to say “Vai, Seleção Canadense”! (“Go, Team Canada”!).
RELATED: Rio 2016 Team Canada qualification tracker
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 Games.
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 Games 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).
RELATED: Olympic medals: A brief history
Início
June 16 will mark 50 days until the início (start) of Rio 2016. Don’t forget to check the dates and the start time (hora de início) of your favourite events!
Finish
After a fast início, the rowers finalizaram (finished) the race in first place. Take note: the verb for finish is finalizar.
Record
Here is an easy one. Donovan Bailey once held the world record for the 100-metre race. Do you know how to say record in Portuguese? Recorde. Pretty similar to english, right?
Hot day
August is a winter month in Brazil, but you should always be prepared for a hot day – or dia quente – when you are in a tropical country. Although January and February are the hottest months in Rio, temperatures have hit 32°C during the day of the Olympic month.
RELATED: Brazil’s winter temperature
Praia
Do you have a day-off or a break between events? Grab your sunscreen and head to one of the beautiful praias (beaches) of Rio de Janeiro. The city has a coastline of more than 40 km, with beaches to suit every taste.
RELATED: Rio flyover – Ipanema, Copacabana, Lagoa
Coconut water
A hot day in Brazil + beach + cold água de coco (coconut water) = the perfect combination. Enjoy!
