Curiosities and Challenges about Portuguese Language
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Since the 3rd century BC, the Portuguese language has evolved from Vulgar Latin brought by Roman settlers, with minor....
The origin of the cedilla, comes from “cedilla”, from Spanish. Before, the cedilla was a small “z” that was placed..
The longest word in our language is Pneumoultramicroscopicossilicovulcanoconiótico, with 46 letters! Very few people....
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Brazilian Literature
Brazilian Literature Day, on May 1 , celebrates the great writers and their works that shaped the diversity of the country's literary schools. In addition to honoring José de Alencar, recognized for his remarkable novels, the day highlights the importance of national literature, from the 16th century to contemporary movements. The date also coincides with National Children's Book Day, highlighting Monteiro Lobato's legacy in Brazilian children's literature.
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Portuguese Language
Portuguese Language Day, celebrated on May 5 , is a tribute to the Portuguese language, highlighting its cultural and historical importance. It highlights not only the language itself, but also literature, music, dance and other forms of cultural expression that are expressed through Portuguese. The date promotes cultural and educational events to value the language and strengthen ties between Portuguese-speaking countries. It is an opportunity to celebrate the linguistic and cultural diversity of the people who share Portuguese.
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Dictionary
Dictionary Day is celebrated on October 30th , a day dedicated to celebrating the importance of dictionaries in language, education and communication. This date was chosen in honor of the birth of lexicographer Noah Webster in 1758, who is known for compiling the first dictionary of American English. The celebration aims to recognize the fundamental role that these compendiums play in enriching vocabulary, understanding the language and preserving culture. Dictionaries not only define words, but also provide information on pronunciation, etymology and correct use of language. On this day, schools, libraries and educational institutions usually promote activities, lectures and debates on the importance of language and reading.
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The Predicate
The Predicate is the term of the sentence that expresses the action, state or quality attributed to the subject. It can be verbal, nominal or verb-nominal, depending on the sentence structure. Understanding the predicate is essential for proper grammatical analysis and complete understanding of the transmitted message. Examples: "He bought a book." In this sentence, the verb "bought" is the core of the verbal predicate, expressing the action of buying. / "The girl is happy." In this sentence, the linking verb "is" joins the subject "the girl" to the predicative of the subject "happy", expressing the state of happiness. / "The team won the game and was euphoric." In this sentence, the verb "won" expresses the action of winning the game, while the predicative of the subject "euphoric" attributes a state to the subject "the team".
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The Subject
The Subject is a term used in grammar to identify who or what performs or suffers the action of the verb in a sentence. It is the main element of the sentence and describes the theme or focus of the action expressed by the verb. In a simple sentence, the subject is usually composed of a noun, a pronoun, or a word that functions as a noun. It agrees in number and person with the verb in the sentence. It can be simple, compound, hidden or indeterminate, depending on the structure and context of the sentence. Examples: "The dog barked."; "Maria and Pedro went to the cinema."; "It rained all night." and "They say it's going to rain tomorrow." In imperative sentences, for example, the subject is often omitted, as the action is directed towards an undetermined person or speaker. Example: "Study for the test!" In this case, the subject ("you") is implied.
Synesthesia
Synesthesia is a figure of speech that combines sensory sensations from different modalities, creating a richer sensory experience. It occurs when characteristics of one sense are attributed to another, allowing the transmission of a more vivid and poetic image. It is commonly found in literature and poetry, providing a deeper and more sensorial understanding of the transmitted message. For example, in an expression like "the yellow sound of the trumpet", there is a combination of auditory (sound) and visual (yellow) sensations. Synesthesia in this case allows conveying the idea that the sound of the trumpet is bright, vibrant or luminous, associating it with the color yellow.
Periphrasis
Periphrasis is a figure of speech that consists of expressing an idea or concept through an indirect description or a circumlocution, instead of using the corresponding specific term. It is a way of expanding or enriching the expression, giving it greater expressiveness or a more elaborate character. In periphrasis, instead of using a direct and objective word to refer to something, other words or a more elaborate description are used to convey the same meaning. This can occur through word combinations, comparisons, allusions or even the use of metaphors. A common example of periphrasis is the expression "queen of the seas" to refer to the mythological figure of the mermaid. In this case, instead of using the term "mermaid" directly, a poetic and evocative description is used.
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Hyperbole
Hyperbole is a figure of speech consisting of the deliberate use of exaggeration or amplification to expressively emphasize an idea, sensation or feature. It is a common figure of speech, present both in literature and in everyday speech. Through hyperbole, words are used exaggeratedly, beyond their normal limits, to create an effect of intensification or emphasis. It can be used to convey strong emotions, highlight features in a striking way, or even for humorous purposes. For example, in a sentence like "I'm starving", hyperbole is used to emphasize the feeling of intense hunger, exaggerating the expression "starving" to convey the idea that the person is very hungry.
Metaphor
Metaphor is a figure of speech that makes implicit comparisons between different elements, attributing characteristics of one to the other. It is used to convey ideas figuratively and symbolically, both in literature and in everyday communication. The metaphor allows expressing ideas in a creative way, simplifying complex concepts and making communication more interesting and persuasive. It is a powerful way to establish connections between different objects, feelings or situations. Examples: "I'm a dog without feelings"; "Each fruit of this tree is a drop of gold"; "Fulano is a cat".
Euphemism
Euphemism is a figure of speech that consists of replacing a word or expression with another one that is softer, more pleasant or less direct, with the aim of softening or mitigating an idea, making something less offensive, delicate or shocking. It is a way of using more polite language, avoiding words or terms that may be considered unpleasant, taboo or socially unacceptable in a given context. The use of euphemisms is common in many aspects of communication, including everyday situations, advertising, politics, health, death, among others. Some common examples of euphemisms are: "Pass away" instead of "die"; "Senior person" instead of "elderly"; and "Misappropriated money from the company".
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The direct object
The direct object is the complement that attaches to the transitive verb without the need to use a preposition (I read books, buy books, sell books). On the other hand, the indirect object is the complement that requires a preposition to attach to the transitive verb (I believe in you, I'm going to school, I need water). The main difference between these two structures is the requirement of the preposition in the indirect object; without her, he is meaningless. Already in the direct object, it is possible to use preposition, but it is not necessary.
Since the 3rd century BC
Since the 3rd century BC, the Portuguese language has evolved from Vulgar Latin brought by Roman settlers, with minor influences from other languages and a marked Celtic substrate. With the fall of the Roman Empire and the Germanic invasions, archaic Portuguese developed in the 5th century AD. and it became a language of written documents since the 9th century, giving rise to Galician-Portuguese. This language matured in the 13th century and was made official by D.Dinis I in 1290. The leap to modern Portuguese took place during the Renaissance, with the landmark Cancioneiro Geral by Garcia de Resende, in 1516. it began with the creation of grammars in 1536. With the expansion of the Age of Discovery, the Portuguese language became international. In 1990, the Orthographic Agreement of the Portuguese Language was signed, signed by representatives of Angola, Brazil, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, Portugal and São Tomé and Príncipe, aiming to create a unified orthography.
The origin of the cedilla, comes from “cedilla”
The origin of the cedilla, comes from “cedilla”, from Spanish. Before, the cedilla was a small “z” that was placed under the “c” to show that the letter had the sound of “s”. That is, the small superscript “z” was later coupled to the “c”, transforming it into “ç”.
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The longest word in our language
The longest word in our language is Pneumoultramicroscopicossilicovulcanoconiótico, with 46 letters! Very few people can, at first, read that word without making a mistake. It is related to a disease caused by inhaling volcanic ash, which attacks the lungs.
The expression "pé rapado" originates from the precarious fi
The expression "pé rapado" originates from the precarious financial conditions of certain people, who were forced to walk a lot, and consequently, scrape the soles of their shoes on metallic objects scattered on the sidewalks of churches and public buildings. It was even worse for those who were even poorer, as they shaved their own feet. According to the book "Locuções Tradicionais do Brasil", by Luís da Câmara Cascudo, the expression is also related to the population that fought barefoot during the War of the Peddlers and who received the name in a pejorative way.
The expression "other five hundred" originates in Portugal i
The expression "other five hundred" originates in Portugal in the 13th century. It was used when someone committed an aggression against a nobleman, and for his absolution, he would have to pay 500 sous, which were coins used in Ancient Rome. If the same aggressor committed the same crime again, another 500 sous would be charged again.
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The expression "Inês
The expression "Inês é morta" means "now it's too late" for something that needs to be done. It has its origins in the story of Inês de Castro, lover of the future King of Portugal, Pedro I. She was murdered by order of Afonso IV, Pedro's father, before the marriage was recognized. After Inês' death, Pedro became king and recognized the union of the two, but it was too late to save her life. Therefore, the expression became known as "É tarde. Inês é morta".
In Brazilian regions, some words can mean different things
In Brazilian regions, some words can mean different things. For example, in the Marabanese dialect, “gostoso” means “ankle”; “tying the machete” is used as a synonym for “entering menopause”; “in love” is the same as “nervous or upset”; and “disgusting” is equivalent to “efficient, persistent”.
The word “brasileiro” is used to define who
The word “brasileiro” is used to define who is born in Brazil since the 16th century, when our country was discovered. At that time, the term “brasileiro” was used to refer to the brazilwood dealer. Strictly speaking, we should call these people brasilense or brasilês, but that was not what prevailed. The suffix -eiro, present in the brasileiro term, does not indicate origin or naturalness, but the word has become more palatable for general use.
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There
There are significant differences between hearing and listening. Hearing is a natural act that occurs effortlessly, while listening requires special attention to perceive sounds. When listening, there is always the idea of curiosity or distrust. On the other hand, hearing is a process that all living beings who are not deaf perform.
The word "cannibal" came about because of a misread
The word "cannibal" came about because of a misread. When Christopher Columbus discovered America, in 1492, he mentioned, in his travel diary, the anthropophagous forest dwellers as "caribales" (plural of caribal, in Spanish), that is, the inhabitants of the Caribbean. However, when reading the word, someone confused the "l" with the "n". Thus, the word "cannibal" was born.
The term “candidato” has roots in the Latin word “candido”
The term “candidato” has roots in the Latin word “candido”. In ancient Rome, those seeking public office wore a white robe as a symbol of sincerity and honesty. These days, although the white robe is no longer a requirement, candidatos still seek to demonstrate their principles of honesty and loyalty.
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Macau, Chinese territory
Macau, Chinese territory, has two official languages: Chinese and Portuguese. In addition, as it was not Chinese territory until 1999, traffic in Macau runs in the English way, while Chinese traffic runs according to the Portuguese model. It is interesting to note how the world can turn unexpectedly.
Este and Esse
Este and Esse are demonstrative pronouns that serve to position the speech in space and time. Este (indicates proximity to the person speaking) and Esse (indicates proximity to the person being spoken to). When it comes to the 1st person of the speech (eu and nos), the use of this, these, this and this indicates a close or present position. For example: "This place is beautiful! We have to come back again." When it comes to the 2nd person of the speech (you and you, or you(s)), the use of this, these, this and this indicates a position that is a little distant, past and near future. For example: "Whose mug are you holding?"
The descriptive text
The descriptive text is intended to portray something in detail, using words to represent the impressions that the reader has of what is being described. For this, some elements are necessary, such as physical and/or psychological characteristics, such as color, texture, height, length, weight, dimensions, function, climate, time, vegetation, location, sensation, among others. Through this information, the reader can imagine the object, person, animal, place or event described in the text, as if it were a developed photograph.
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Narrative Text
Narrative Text is a type of writing that portrays the actions of characters in a given time and place. The Narrative Text is composed of three main parts: The Presentation, the author describes the characters and the place and time in which the narrative develops. Development is the part where the plot unfolds, usually involving conflicts between characters. The Climax is the most emotional moment in the narrative, where the conflict is resolved. Finally, the Outcome is the final part of the story, where conflicts are clarified. There are three types of narrator: The character narrator is the one who narrates the story in 1st person, being one of the characters in the story. The observer narrator is the narrator who tells the story in third person, however, does not participate in the actions. Finally, the omniscient narrator knows everything about the characters and the plot, narrating in third person, but also in first person when approaching the characters' flow of thought.
The informative-expository text aims to convey real data
The informative-expository text aims to convey real data, information and references in a clear and orderly manner. This form of writing is structured in three parts: introduction, development and conclusion. In the introduction, the theme should be presented, establishing the purpose and calling the reader's attention with definitions, descriptions or other relevant data. In development, the subject is explained through definitions, analyses, comparisons or contrasts. Finally, in the conclusion, the subject should be summarized, focusing on the most important points and awakening the reader's interest.
Text Dictionary, serves to explain the meaning of words
Text Dictionary, serves to explain the meaning of words. The words appear in alphabetical order; in front of each word, the grammatical class is identified; the various meanings are numbered; verbs are in the impersonal infinitive; Nouns and adjectives are masculine and singular.
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News
News are journalistic textual genres that convey information about current facts and social interest. They are narrative texts, as they report an event and seek to be objective, presenting the desired subject right at the beginning. The main purpose of news is to inform the reader about what is happening in the world. It is divided into two parts: lead (answers the questions Who?, What?, When? and where?) and body of the news (answers the questions How? and Why?).
Interview, make known something or someone
Interview, make known something or someone. It should have a title and start with a brief introduction; includes questions and answers and may end with a final thank you paragraph.
Advertising Text
Advertising Text, tries to convince someone to buy a certain product or to adopt a certain behavior. Includes images and texts; usually has a slogan and arguments designed to reinforce the message; the use of imperative sentences is frequent.
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Route, serves to present a route
Route, serves to present a route. It includes information on points of interest to visit (characteristics of the area, distances, duration, degree of difficulty, means of transport) and useful advice (where to have lunch and stay overnight, for example).
Letter
Letter, serves to inform someone or express opinions or feelings. It is divided into three parts: header (place and date and initial salutation), body of the letter and closing (farewell and signature). It may include a post scriptum.
Possessive pronouns
Possessive pronouns are words that show the ownership relationship of someone or something with the people of speech. They are related to personal pronouns, since they express that which belongs to the being mentioned by these pronouns. Examples of possessive pronouns include my, mine, yours, yours, yours, yours, etc. These pronouns usually come before the noun they refer to, but they can also come after.
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Demonstrative pronouns
Demonstrative pronouns are used to point out the relationship of distance (place or time) between the noun they refer to and the people in the speech. Thus, they are pronouns used to indicate the position of what they refer to. Example of demonstrative pronouns: Variables: "This, this, these, these, this, this, these, these, that, those, those, those." and invariable: "This, that, that."
Punctuation marks
Punctuation marks are used in writing to delimit sentences or sentence constituents, represent sentence types, and graphically present intonation. Changing a punctuation mark can change the meaning of the sentence. Example: a) Alice arranges the toys. (in this sentence, someone says that Alice puts away the toys; in this sentence, information is given. b) Alice, put the toys away. (in the sentence, someone tells Alice to put away the toys; in this sentence, an order is given).
The dot (
The dot (.) is a graphic sign that is used to mark the end of declarative or imperative sentences (affirmative or negative). It is a punctuation mark that delimits the sentences of a text, indicating the end of the speech. If the sentence is interrogative, use the question mark, and if it is exclamatory, the exclamation point. It is also used to indicate abbreviations and acronyms, for example: D. Maria (short for Dona); D. João (abbreviation of Dom); Mr. (short for lord), Pg. (abbreviation of page); UN. (acronym for United Nations Organization).
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Question Mark
Question Mark, has the graphic symbol (?) is used to indicate a question or doubt. Its use is necessary for the sentence to be understood as interrogative. In texts written in the language of Roman origin, without the use of the question mark, the sentence has its meaning changed, becoming an affirmation. When it comes to direct sentences, the "?" must be used. However, in indirect clauses, it is replaced by the period. The interrogative pronouns que and quem are invariable, while the pronouns which and how much are variable. Direct interrogative sentence example: Girl, what time is it?. In indirect interrogative sentences, for example: I would like to know who told Ana what time it was.
The comma
The comma is a punctuation mark whose name comes from the Latin "virgûla-", which means wand, small dash or line. This word was entered into a dictionary for the first time in Morais (2nd ed., 1813) (Cunha, Antônio Geraldo da (1986). Etmológico Nova Fronteira. Rio de Janeiro: Nova Froteira). The function of the comma is to separate elements that have the same syntactic function within a sentence or between different sentences, in order to avoid ambiguities, and not represent pauses in orality, as many people tend to think. Examples: (1) That one, teacher, I don't like. (Vocative – someone talks TO the teacher) and (2) I don't like that teacher. (Someone says THE teacher).
The exclamation point (!)
The exclamation point (!), also called the point of admiration, is a punctuation mark used to indicate strong expressions and feelings, or the emphasis of something. It has the function of representing the exclamation intonation of a statement, in order to convey the intensity with which the sentence was said. Example: What a beautiful sunny day!
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