The Most Common Brazilian Swear Words and Insults (and When Not to Use Them)

The Brazilian swear words you'll hear most in Brazil are "caralho", "porra", "puta que pariu", "filho da puta" and "vai se foder". Some of them look familiar if you speak Spanish, but they don't hit the same way: "caralho" sounds like "carajo", yet for us Brazilians it's a much heavier word. That's why I put together this guide to the swear words in Brazilian Portuguese we really use, what each one means and when you'd better keep it to yourself.

Here you'll find the 10 most common Brazilian insults and curse words, counted down from 10 to 1, with example sentences, a video where I show you how to pronounce them (spoiler: "porra" sounds like "poha") and the abbreviations we use when texting, like VSF, PQP, FDP and CRLH, so you'll never be confused by a WhatsApp message again.

Quick warning: these Brazilian curse words are here so you can understand Brazilians in a movie, at a soccer game or in a group chat, not so you can drop them in a job interview. If you're close with the person, go for it; if not, just laugh and save them for another time haha.

Video: The 10 Most Common Brazilian Swear Words

In this video I go through the 10 most common Brazilian swear words, with the pronunciation of each one so you can recognize them when you hear them. Pay attention to the double R: in Brazil it sounds like the English H, that's why "porra" sounds like "poha". And the LH in "caralho" sounds like the "lli" in "million".

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Brazilian Swear Word Abbreviations to Use Online

Swear word abbreviations in Portuguese are the acronyms we Brazilians use on WhatsApp and social media so we don't have to type the whole curse word: VSF is "vai se foder", PQP is "puta que pariu" and FDP is "filho da puta". If you want to decode other acronyms, check out this guide to Brazilian Portuguese texting slang.

• PRR - PORRA
• CRLH - CARALHO
• PQP - PUTA QUE PARIU
• VTNC - VAI TOMAR NO CU
• VSF - VAI SE FODER
• FDP - FILHO DA PUTA

[Full post here]

You'll notice that we Brazilians swear a lot (mostly men), and if you've ever watched the movie "City of God" you've probably already noticed that.

Here are a few Brazilian movies where you'll hear plenty of swearing.

Brazilian Movies Full of Insults and Curse Words

Brazilian movies are the best way to hear Brazilian curse words in real context, with the real tone and intensity. In these four, the insults show up in almost every scene, so you'd better not watch them with the kids in the room.

• Tropa de Elite I and II (Elite Squad)
• Cidade de Deus (City of God)
• Carandiru
• 2 Coelhos (2 Rabbits)

How to learn Portuguese with movies.

[PDF] Download the Brazilian Swear Words PDF

In the Brazilian swear words PDF I put these curse words together with examples and extra content, so you can review them whenever you want, even offline. You can download it with just one click.

The Most Used Swear Words in Brazilian Portuguese (Explained)

These are the 10 Brazilian curse words we use the most, counted down from 10 to 1, from "cacete" all the way to "caralho", the number one. For each one I explain what it means, when you say it, and I give you an example sentence so you can understand it in context.

Be very careful when using these insults in Portuguese, some of them are really heavy. (I took the list from lista10.org)

10. Cacete

"Cacete" is a medium-strength Brazilian swear word that literally means "club" or "stick", and we use it as an exclamation similar to "damn!" or "holy crap!".

You say it when you're fed up with a situation or when something doesn't go the way it should.

You can also use it when someone tells you a story that leaves you shocked.

• "caaaaaaacete... não tô acreditando nisso, é verdade mesmo?"

Different ways to use MESMO in Portuguese.

The swear word "Cacete" can also be used to refer to the "penis".

Buuut... you can also say that "uma pessoa levou um cacete", meaning someone got beaten up.

"Ele tava bêbado no bar e arrumou uma briga com um cara e levou um cacete"

Different ways to use APANHAR in Portuguese.

9. Puta merda

"Puta merda" is the Brazilian version of "holy shit", and we use it to let off steam when something stresses us out or goes wrong. It's strong, but among friends you'll hear it all the time.

You say it when you get stressed out or angry about something.

• "puta merda, já tô ficando sem paciência"

8. Viado

A derogatory way to refer to gay men, it works like the homophobic slur "f*ggot" in English. It's offensive, so it's one to recognize, not to use.

Article in Portuguese: Gírias LGBTQIA+: descubra o que é e o significado das expressões do 'pajubá'

7. Vai se foder

The same as saying "fuck you", "go to hell" or "screw you".

How to use FODA in Portuguese.

6. Vai tomar no cu

This swear word is really heavy and should only be used in extreme cases hahaha, it means something like "up yours" or "shove it up your ass".

Watch Out: the LETTER Q in Portuguese

WARNING: Be careful with the letter "Q" in Portuguese, we say this letter as "QUÊ" (like "keh"). If your name is Quinn or Jacqueline, when you spell it out don't say the letter "Q" the English way ("kyoo"), because it sounds a lot like "CU", which means ass, but the very CENTER of the ass, the * hahahaha.

Several expressions with CU in Portuguese

Full post about the LETTER Q with example sentences.

How to spell in Portuguese.

Improve your pronunciation with these lessons and tips.

5. Merda

I don't think this one needs an explanation.

Well, almost: "merda" means "shit" and we use it just like in English, to complain when something goes wrong. Watch the pronunciation, the E is open ("MEHR-dah"), and in Brazilian theater people even say "merda" to wish actors good luck before they go on stage, just like "break a leg".

4. Filho da Puta

The same as saying "son of a bitch" (literally "son of a whore"), and online we write it as "FDP" (if you want to see other abbreviations and contractions check out this video, advanced level)

3. Puta que Pariu

"Puta que pariu" is probably the most Brazilian exclamation there is: we use it for anger, surprise and even joy, like when your team scores a goal in the last minute. In texts you'll see it written as "PQP".

Literally "the whore who gave birth (to you)", it's also used when something really bothers you or you're outraged about something, a bit like "motherfucker!" or "holy shit!" (as a native you can also say "takipariu", that sounds much more like a real Brazilian =D).

The 30 most common expressions in Brazil.

2. Porra

"Porra" is the most versatile swear word in Brazil: we say it out of anger, surprise or just for emphasis, like "fuck!" or "damn it!". Since the double R sounds like an English H, a lot of learners search for it as "poha" or "pora", but it's the same word.

You use it when you get angry about something that didn't turn out the way you wanted.

1. Caralho

"Caralho" is the most used swear word in Brazil. It's the Brazilian version of the Spanish "carajo", but much heavier, closer to an English "fuck!". Since the LH sounds like the "lli" in "million", a lot of people write it as "caraio" or "karalho", and in texts we shorten it to "CRLH".

This swear word in Portuguese is really heavy and I don't recommend saying it at the dinner table hahaha (unless you're really close with the people around you).

CARALHO: Keep This in Mind

Keep in mind that the swear word "Caralho" looks a lot like the Spanish "Carajo", but in Brazil it's a heavy word.

Whenever I'm not sure about a swear word in another language, I ask:

"hey... can I say this word at the table during dinner with my family?"

hahahaha... and when they tell me NO, right away I know it's a swear word to use only with friends!! =D

The word "caralho" in Portuguese is a vulgar word for the penis, something like "dick" in English.

You can also use it to express outrage "caralho, não aguento ver esse tipo de coisa" or when you're impressed "caaaaaaralhooo.. você viu o salto que o cara fez na moto?"

What Does "DROGA" Mean in Brazilian Portuguese

In Brazil, "droga" works as a mild curse word, similar to "darn it!" or "dang!", that you can say even in front of your grandma with no problem.

This word has 2 meanings: the first one is the same as in English (drugs, legal or illegal), and the other one, which is the most common, you'll see in situations like these.

• Someone leaves the house, forgets their wallet and says "Droga, esqueci a carteira"
• Someone is walking along, stubs their toe on a rock and says "DROGA", it would be like saying "SHIT", but it's not a heavy word.

How to react to good and bad news in Portuguese.

The Swear Word "BOCETA" (Heads Up If You Speak Spanish)

In Colombian Spanish, BUSETA is a small bus, but in Brazil... WATCH OUT!! hahahaha, the word BOCETA in Portuguese means VAGINA (and it's a very vulgar way of saying it, like the C-word in English).

Heads up, a lot of people also spell it "buceta". And it's not the only "forbidden" body word: in Brazil we have tons of nicknames for private parts, some innocent and others really heavy, like "piroca". Here I show you how to say penis and vagina in Portuguese.

Click here to see the full post

The Word CUCA in Portuguese

The word CUCA in Portuguese can have several meanings depending on the context.

You can hear it when people talk about food, about temperature or even in everyday expressions in Brazil. Learn how it's really used and avoid common mix-ups when learning Portuguese.

The full explanation of CUCA in Portuguese.

How to Use VADIAR

The verb VADIAR in Portuguese isn't only used to talk about "doing nothing".

In Brazil, it can show up in different everyday contexts that don't always match what you'd expect. Learn how it's really used and avoid literal interpretations.

How to use the verb VADIAR in Portuguese.

The Difference Between BERRAR and XINGAR

BERRAR and XINGAR don't mean the same thing in Portuguese, even though a lot of people mix them up.

One is about yelling or raising your voice, while the other means insulting or cursing at someone. Understanding this difference is key to avoiding misunderstandings in real conversations in Brazil.

More details about the verbs "berrar" and "xingar" in Portuguese.

Different Insults for Women and Men in Portuguese

In Portuguese, a lot of Brazilian insults change weight depending on gender: "vagabundo" for a man means someone lazy or a scoundrel, but "vagabunda" for a woman is an insult that judges her sex life. That difference shows the sexism the language still carries.

An interesting article about the different insults used for women and men.

Article (in Portuguese): 18 insults that reveal sexism in society.

Other Insults in Portuguese You Should Know

Brazilian insults don't end with this list: we also have ways to call someone a lazy bum, stingy, clumsy or ignorant, some mild and others you'd better not repeat at the dinner table. Here's each one with its full post:

• How to call someone a "lazy bum" in Portuguese
• How to say "stingy" in Portuguese
• How to say "clumsy" in Portuguese
• What "ignorante" means in Portuguese
• What "hediondo" means in Portuguese

How to Say DON'T BOTHER ME

Translating "don't bother me" word for word into Portuguese can cause confusion or even sound harsher than you imagine. Learn the right way to say it in Brazil and avoid misunderstandings.

See how to say "don't bother me" in Portuguese the right way.

How to Say I DON'T CARE

"I don't care" isn't always said the same way in Portuguese.

Depending on the context, an expression can sound natural, indifferent or even rude. Get to know the most common options in Brazil and avoid typical translation mistakes.

Learn how to say "I don't care" in Portuguese in every situation.

92 Spicy Questions in Portuguese to Heat Up a Conversation

You've learned how to insult people in Portuguese; now it's time to learn how to flirt. I put together 92 spicy questions organized by level, from the ones you can ask on a first date to the ones you only dare to ask when you're already really close. How far would you go?

Click here to read and download the PDF with the 92 spicy questions in Portuguese.

Apps to Practice Portuguese with Real Brazilians

The best way to tell when a Brazilian is joking and when they're insulting you is to talk with Brazilians, and today it's easier than you think: with a few apps you can find someone to practice with online in just a few minutes, often for free. In this video I show you the ones I use and recommend.

Discover the best apps to learn Brazilian Portuguese

Gestures We Use in Brazil (One of Them Is an Insult)

In Brazil we don't only insult people with words: there's a hand gesture that in the US means everything is OK, and here it can offend someone without you saying a thing. We Brazilians talk a lot with our bodies, so it's worth knowing these gestures before your next trip.

See the most common body gestures in Brazil

What Is Portuñol and Why It Gives You Away as a Foreigner

Portuñol (or "portunhol", as we say in Brazil) is that mix of Spanish and Portuguese spoken, for example, on the border between Uruguay and Brazil, and one that almost every Spanish speaker uses without noticing when they start learning. The problem is that some of those mixed words can sound rude in Brazil. Do you know which ones?

Find out what portuñol is and how to avoid it