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Brazil is known for its beautiful beaches—and its beautiful people. Perhaps for that reason, the country has acquired a romantic image, and the language affirms this stereotype. Portuguese is filled with unique words to describe the nuances of love and relationships. They have a specific verb for romantic love, “apaixonar,” making it stronger than the English “love,” which can be used for just about anything. They also have a specific word for being in a serious relationship (“namorar”) and an all-purpose word for any kind of romantic partner (“xodó”). But Portuguese is filled with unique words outside of love and relationships, too. For example, Brazilians have coined the term “futevôlei” (“footvolley”), a sport that combines the two beloved Brazilian pastimes of soccer and volleyball. “Fofo” is a cute word you can use to describe something cute, like children or puppies. Portuguese has also repurposed the word “combinado,” literally “combined,” as a term to affirm plans. The Portuguese language is full of unique and interesting words like these. Boost your vocabulary with these 21 uniquely Portuguese words.

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