Priscilla Goslin - How to Be a Carioca

It’s easy to sound like a Carioca. Just follow these simple rules, apply them with gusto, and you’ll never be mistaken for a gringo in Rio — or anywhere else in Brazil, for that matter. By the way, most of the following phonetic sounds do not exist in English. Therefore, you might need the help of an authentic Carioca in order to master them correctly.

Rule 1.When a word has an «r» apply a guttural «h» sound (as if you were trying to clear your throat)

A. if «r» is the first letter in the word:

As in rato [’ hhhatoo] = rat

ridículo [hhhee’gee koo loo] = ridiculous

B. if «r» is the last letter in a syllable:

As in carta[’ca hhhtah] = letter

sorte[’so hhhtche] = luck

C. whenever you find two «r» together:

As in carro[’ca hhhhoo] = car

torrada[toh ’ hhhahdah] = toast

D. if the «r» is the last letter in the word:

As in amor[ah ’mo hhh] = love

beber[beh ’be hhh] = to drink

Rule 2.Roll your «r» (as if you were freezing — «brrrrrrrr» — or perhaps imitating a galloping horse — «darrarrum, darrarrum, darrarrum dum dum…»)

A. when the «r» follows a consonant:

As in trânsito[’t rrrun zee too] = traffic

Brasil[B rrrah ’zeel]

B. if «r» is the first letter of any syllable (except for the first syllable):

As in barata[bah ’ rrrah tah] = cockroach

caro[’kah rrroo] = expensive

Rule 3.When a word has an «s» apply the «sh» sound (as if wanting to quiet someone with a «shhhhhh!»)

A. when it precedes a consonant (except for «c»):

As in gostosa[go shh’taw zah] = delicious

especial[ shhpeh see ’vahl] = special

B. when pluralizing:

As in galinhas[gah leen ’ya shh] = chickens

motéis[moh ’tey shh] = motels

Rule 4.When a word has a «t» use the «tch» sound (as in «chit chat»)

A. if the «t» precedes an «e» in the last syllable of the word:

As in dente[’den tche] = tooth

assaltante[ah sahl ’tun tche] = thief

B. when there is a «ti», or «te» sounds like «ti»:

As in tititi[ tchee tchee ’ tchee] = gossip

Timóteo[ tchee ’moh tchew] = Timothy

Rule 5.When a word has a «d» apply the «gee» sound (as in «gee whiz»)

A. if the «d» precedes an «i»:

As in difícil[ gee’fee seeyoo] = difficult

dinheiro[ geen ’yay rroo] = money

B. if the «d» precedes an «e» in the last syllable:

As in cidade[see ’dah gee] = city

liberdade[lee behr ’dah gee] = freedom

Now practice your Carioca accent by repeating the following sentence:

Vou passar um dia chocante na praia.

[voh pah ’sa hhhoon ’geeyah shho ’kun tche nah ’p rrra yah]

= I’m going to spend an awesome day at the beach.

If your pronunciation is leaving you feeling a bit insecure, don’t despair. Words are only a part of a Carioca’s language. Incapable of speaking without continuous gesturing, the Carioca will use his arms, head, eyebrows, eyes, or entire body to make a point or to ensure he has your full attention. Hands should always be in motion.

The following are a few examples of handy words and phrases with their accompanying gestures. Matching the words with the gestures isn’t that important, as most gestures are interchangeable. Just keep those hands moving, and you will never be at a loss for words. (Refer to Lesson 4 for the correct pronunciations.)

«Qualé a tua?»(«What’s the matter with you?»): Tilt your chin up, raise your eyebrows, move a Step forward, and turn both palms upward in an inquisitive manner.

«O negócio é o seguinte…»(«The story is the following.»): Place your arm around the other person, slowly nod your head up and down affirmatively, and smile.

«Vainu nessa»(«Let’s go»): Jerk your head to the side while moving your thumb in a hitchhiking fashion.

«Ué»(«Hmmm»): Put your hand on your chin, then roll your shoulders forward and upward while opening your eyes as wide as possible.

«Pô, que saco!»(«Boy, what a hassle!»): If seated, slap your knees with both hands, stand up, take two Steps forward, and then turn around before saying the phrase. If standing, throw both hands up several times in disgust while looking up before exclaiming, «Pô, que saco!»

Maneiro…(Interesting.): Slowly nod your head up and down, then smile contentedly.

Body contact:Body contact is essential. If you want to carry on a conversation like a true Carioca, just stand as close as possible to the other person, maintain eye contact, and make body contact at least once for every sentence you utter. Acceptable forms of body contact when conversing with a Carioca are:

• jabbing the forearm

• caressing the upper arm

• tapping the shoulder or back

• patting the cheeks

• squeezing the hands

• poking the chest (men’s only)

Body contact is never more important than when you greet another fellow Carioca. Whether it’s bumping into a friend on the street, joining a group of six for lunch, or walking into a party of twenty, it is imperative that you achieve body contact with each person individually.

For example, you walk into a restaurant and notice a friend having dinner with a group of people, all of whom you have never laid eyes on before. The following is the correct Carioca approach when greeting your friend:

Say «Oi»[oooo eeee] enthusiastically. This may be followed by «Tudo bem?»[too doo ’bayn]: «Everything OK?»

Kiss your friend on both cheeks (right cheek first please).

Move around the table kissing each person present on both cheeks, regardless if that person has just taken a bite of steak or is deep in conversation with someone at the table.

Ohs.: It is not necessary to make eye contact, or say your name or expect to hear theirs. As a general rule, women kiss women, women kiss men, and men kiss women. Men do not kiss men. The appropriate greeting between men is a handshake, followed by a few brisk, firm pats on the back with the left hand, then a prolonged lingering one-armed embrace.

Upon taking leave of this group, do the following:

Return to your friend and say, «Te ligo»(«I’ll call you»).