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Intro Program
Learn Portuguese
12 lessons to help you understand what's happening in class, connect with the culture, and feel at home in the roda.
01
Lesson 1
Numbers & Counting — Números
Count from zero to one hundred in Brazilian Portuguese
Done
| Portuguese | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Zero | ZEH-roo | Zero |
| Um / Uma | oom / OO-mah | One |
| Dois / Duas | DOYSH / DOO-ahsh | Two |
| Três | TREHSH | Three |
| Quatro | KWAH-troo | Four |
| Cinco | SEEN-koo | Five |
| Seis | SAYSH | Six |
| Sete | SEH-chee | Seven |
| Oito | OY-too | Eight |
| Nove | NAW-vee | Nine |
| Dez | DEHSH | Ten |
| Portuguese | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Onze | ON-zee | Eleven |
| Doze | DOH-zee | Twelve |
| Vinte | VEEN-chee | Twenty |
| Trinta | TREEN-tah | Thirty |
| Quarenta | kwah-REN-tah | Forty |
| Cinquenta | seen-KWEN-tah | Fifty |
| Sessenta | seh-SEN-tah | Sixty |
| Setenta | seh-TEN-tah | Seventy |
| Oitenta | oy-TEN-tah | Eighty |
| Noventa | noh-VEN-tah | Ninety |
| Cem | SENG | One hundred |
Tip: In Capoeira class, the teacher often counts repetitions in Portuguese. Practice counting to 10 out loud every day — you'll hear it constantly in warm-ups.
02
Lesson 2
Greetings & Introductions — Cumprimentos
How to say hello, introduce yourself, and be polite
Done
| Portuguese | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Oi / Olá | OY / oh-LAH | Hi / Hello |
| Tchau | CHOW | Bye |
| Bom dia | bong JEE-ah | Good morning |
| Boa tarde | BOH-ah TAR-jee | Good afternoon |
| Boa noite | BOH-ah NOY-chee | Good night |
| Tudo bem? | TOO-doo beng | Everything good? / How are you? |
| Tudo bem! | TOO-doo beng | Everything's good! |
| Por favor | por fah-VOR | Please |
| Obrigado (m) / Obrigada (f) | oh-bree-GAH-doo / dah | Thank you |
| De nada | jee NAH-dah | You're welcome |
| Com licença | kong lee-SEN-sah | Excuse me |
| Desculpe | jees-KOOL-pee | Sorry |
| Qual é o seu nome? | kwahl eh oo SEW NOH-mee | What is your name? |
| Meu nome é... | MEW NOH-mee eh | My name is... |
| Prazer | prah-ZEHR | Nice to meet you |
Practice Dialogue
— Oi! Tudo bem?Hi! How are you?
— Tudo bem, obrigado! E você?All good, thanks! And you?
— Tudo ótimo! Qual é o seu nome?Everything's great! What's your name?
— Meu nome é Carlos. Prazer!My name is Carlos. Nice to meet you!
03
Lesson 3
Body Parts — Partes do Corpo
Essential vocabulary for understanding movement instructions in class
Done
| Portuguese | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Corpo | KOR-poo | Body |
| Cabeça | kah-BEH-sah | Head |
| Rosto / Face | HAWS-too | Face |
| Olho | OH-lyoo | Eye |
| Nariz | nah-REESH | Nose |
| Boca | BOH-kah | Mouth |
| Pescoço | pesh-KOH-soo | Neck |
| Ombro | OM-broo | Shoulder |
| Braço | BRAH-soo | Arm |
| Cotovelo | koh-toh-VEH-loo | Elbow |
| Mão | MOWNG | Hand |
| Dedo | DEH-doo | Finger |
| Portuguese | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Peito | PAY-too | Chest |
| Costas | KAWS-tahsh | Back |
| Barriga | bah-HEE-gah | Belly |
| Cintura | seen-TOO-rah | Waist |
| Quadril | kwah-DREEL | Hip |
| Perna | PEHR-nah | Leg |
| Joelho | zhoo-EH-lyoo | Knee |
| Tornozelo | tor-noh-ZEH-loo | Ankle |
| Pé | PEH | Foot |
| Calcanhar | kal-kah-NYAR | Heel |
| Dedo do pé | DEH-doo doo PEH | Toe |
| Coluna | koh-LOO-nah | Spine |
In class: When the teacher says "Usa a cabeça" (use your head) or "Protege o rosto" (protect your face), you'll know exactly what to do.
04
Lesson 4
Colors — Cores
Colors are essential for understanding the belt system and uniforms
Done
| Portuguese | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Branco / Branca | BRANG-koo / kah | White |
| Preto / Preta | PREH-too / tah | Black |
| Verde | VEHR-jee | Green |
| Amarelo / Amarela | ah-mah-REH-loo / lah | Yellow |
| Azul | ah-ZOOL | Blue |
| Vermelho / Vermelha | vehr-MEH-lyoo / lyah | Red |
| Laranja | lah-RAHN-zhah | Orange |
| Roxo / Roxa | HOH-shoo / shah | Purple |
| Rosa | HOH-zah | Pink |
| Marrom | mah-HONG | Brown |
| Cinza | SEEN-zah | Gray |
| Dourado / Dourada | doh-RAH-doo / dah | Gold |
Belt Colors at Evolve
Verde — Green Belt1st belt — your first Batizado goal
Amarelo — Yellow Belt2nd belt
Azul — Blue BeltAdvanced level
05
Lesson 5
Capoeira Words — Vocabulário da Capoeira
The most important Portuguese words you'll hear every single class
Done
| Portuguese | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Ginga | ZHEEN-gah | The base movement — the swing |
| Roda | HOH-dah | The circle / game circle |
| Jogo | ZHOH-goo | The game / the play |
| Mestre | MESH-tree | Master / teacher |
| Aluno / Aluna | ah-LOO-noo / nah | Student |
| Treino | TRAY-noo | Training / practice |
| Aula | OW-lah | Class / lesson |
| Berimbau | beh-reem-BOW | The main instrument |
| Atabaque | ah-tah-BAH-kee | The drum |
| Pandeiro | pan-DAY-roo | The tambourine |
| Axé | ah-SHEH | Energy / good vibes / blessings |
| Iê! | YEH | Response call in songs |
| Camarada | kah-mah-RAH-dah | Comrade / training partner |
| Batizado | bah-chee-ZAH-doo | Belt ceremony / baptism |
| Corda | KOR-dah | Belt / cord |
| Ladainha | lah-dah-EEN-yah | Opening solo song |
| Corrido | koh-HEE-doo | Fast call-and-response song |
Axé is one of the most important words in Capoeira. You'll hear it at the end of songs, after games, and as a general expression of positive energy. When someone says "Axé!" — respond with "Axé!"
06
Lesson 6
Days, Months & Time — Dias, Meses e Tempo
Talk about your schedule, training days, and events
Done
| Days of the Week — Dias da Semana | ||
|---|---|---|
| Segunda-feira | seh-GOON-dah FAY-rah | Monday |
| Terça-feira | TEHR-sah FAY-rah | Tuesday |
| Quarta-feira | KWAHR-tah FAY-rah | Wednesday |
| Quinta-feira | KEEN-tah FAY-rah | Thursday |
| Sexta-feira | SESH-tah FAY-rah | Friday |
| Sábado | SAH-bah-doo | Saturday |
| Domingo | doh-MEEN-goo | Sunday |
| Time Words — Palavras de Tempo | ||
|---|---|---|
| Hoje | OH-zhee | Today |
| Amanhã | ah-mah-NYAH | Tomorrow |
| Ontem | ON-teng | Yesterday |
| Semana | seh-MAH-nah | Week |
| Mês | MESH | Month |
| Ano | AH-noo | Year |
| Agora | ah-GOH-rah | Now |
| Depois | deh-POYSH | Later / after |
| Antes | AN-teesh | Before |
| Cedo | SEH-doo | Early |
| Tarde | TAR-jee | Late |
Useful Phrases
Que horas são?What time is it?
A aula começa às sete.Class starts at seven.
Treino segunda e quarta.Training on Monday and Wednesday.
Até amanhã!See you tomorrow!
07
Lesson 7
Directions & Space — Direções e Espaço
Understand spatial commands used during movement training
Done
| Portuguese | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Direita | jee-RAY-tah | Right |
| Esquerda | esh-KEHR-dah | Left |
| Frente | FREN-chee | Front / forward |
| Atrás | ah-TRAHSH | Behind / back |
| Cima | SEE-mah | Up / above |
| Baixo | BY-shoo | Down / below |
| Dentro | DEN-troo | Inside |
| Fora | FOH-rah | Outside |
| Perto | PEHR-too | Close / near |
| Longe | LON-zhee | Far |
| Ao lado | ow LAH-doo | Beside / next to |
| Em frente a | eng FREN-chee ah | In front of |
In the roda: "Avança" (advance / move forward) and "Recua" (retreat / move back) are commands you'll hear during partner work. Knowing your directions helps you respond instantly.
08
Lesson 8
Emotions & Feelings — Emoções e Sentimentos
Express how you feel and understand emotional vocabulary in songs
Done
| Portuguese | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Feliz | feh-LEESH | Happy |
| Triste | TREESH-chee | Sad |
| Cansado / Cansada | kan-SAH-doo / dah | Tired |
| Animado / Animada | ah-nee-MAH-doo / dah | Excited / energized |
| Nervoso / Nervosa | nehr-VOH-zoo / zah | Nervous |
| Calmo / Calma | KAL-moo / mah | Calm |
| Com raiva | kong HY-vah | Angry |
| Com medo | kong MEH-doo | Afraid / scared |
| Orgulhoso / Orgulhosa | or-goo-LYOH-zoo / zah | Proud |
| Focado / Focada | foh-KAH-doo / dah | Focused |
| Forte | FOR-chee | Strong |
| Livre | LEE-vree | Free |
Useful Phrases
Estou cansado hoje.I'm tired today.
Estou muito animado!I'm very excited!
Me sinto forte.I feel strong.
Capoeira me faz feliz.Capoeira makes me happy.
09
Lesson 9
Food & Drinks — Comida e Bebidas
Brazilian food culture is part of the Capoeira community experience
Done
| Food — Comida | ||
|---|---|---|
| Arroz | ah-HOHSH | Rice |
| Feijão | fay-ZHOWNG | Beans |
| Frango | FRANG-goo | Chicken |
| Carne | KAR-nee | Meat |
| Pão | POWNG | Bread |
| Fruta | FROO-tah | Fruit |
| Manga | MANG-gah | Mango |
| Banana | bah-NAH-nah | Banana |
| Açaí | ah-sah-EE | Açaí berry |
| Drinks — Bebidas | ||
|---|---|---|
| Água | AH-gwah | Water |
| Suco | SOO-koo | Juice |
| Café | kah-FEH | Coffee |
| Leite | LAY-chee | Milk |
| Chá | SHAH | Tea |
| Cerveja | sehr-VEH-zhah | Beer |
| Refrigerante | heh-free-zheh-RAN-chee | Soda |
| Caipirinha | ky-pee-REEN-yah | Brazil's national cocktail |
At the Table
Estou com fome.I'm hungry.
Estou com sede.I'm thirsty.
Que delícia!How delicious!
Bom apetite!Enjoy your meal!
10
Lesson 10
Animals — Animais
Many Capoeira movements and nicknames are named after animals
Done
| Portuguese | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Gato | GAH-too | Cat — agility, landing softly |
| Macaco | mah-KAH-koo | Monkey — a Capoeira acrobatic move |
| Cobra | KOH-brah | Snake — low, fluid movement |
| Caranguejo | kah-rang-GEH-zhoo | Crab — a floor movement on all fours |
| Sapo | SAH-poo | Frog — squat jumps |
| Carneiro | kar-NAY-roo | Ram — headbutt movement |
| Macaquinho | mah-kah-KEEN-yoo | Little monkey — small version of macaco |
| Rolê | hoh-LEH | Roll — floor movement (from rolar, to roll) |
| Jacaré | zhah-kah-REH | Alligator — low crawling movement |
| Onça | ON-sah | Jaguar — powerful, predatory movement |
| Peixe | PAY-shee | Fish — fluid, flowing movement |
| Borboleta | bor-boh-LEH-tah | Butterfly — spinning kick |
Animal walks are part of the Green Belt requirements. When you practice Carneirinho, Caranquejo, Sapinho, Macaquinho, and Rolê — you're practicing your animal vocabulary at the same time.
11
Lesson 11
Capoeira Song Vocabulary — Vocabulário das Músicas
Understand the words you sing every class in the roda
Done
| Portuguese | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Capoeira | kah-poo-AY-rah | The art / the game |
| Angola | an-GOH-lah | African origin style |
| Regional | heh-zhee-oh-NOW | Mestre Bimba's modern style |
| Bahia | bah-EE-ah | State in Brazil — birthplace of Capoeira |
| Brasil | brah-ZEEL | Brazil |
| Mundo | MOON-doo | World |
| Vida | VEE-dah | Life |
| Amor | ah-MOR | Love |
| Luta | LOO-tah | Fight / struggle |
| Dança | DAN-sah | Dance |
| Liberdade | lee-behr-DAH-jee | Freedom |
| Guerreiro / Guerreira | geh-HAY-roo / rah | Warrior |
| Meu mestre | MEW MESH-tree | My master |
| Camará | kah-mah-RAH | Comrade (used in songs) |
| Iê, iê, iê | YEH YEH YEH | Response call — "yes, yes, yes" |
Common Song Lines
Iê, viva meu Mestre!Hurray for my Master!
Capoeira é uma luta.Capoeira is a fight.
Jogo bonito, camará.Beautiful game, comrade.
Vai, vai, vai, camará!Go, go, go, comrade!
12
Lesson 12
Conversation Basics — Conversação Básica
Put it all together — have a real conversation in Portuguese
Done
| Portuguese | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Eu | EH-oo | I / me |
| Você | voh-SEH | You |
| Ele / Ela | EH-lee / EH-lah | He / She |
| Nós | NAWSH | We |
| Sim | SEENG | Yes |
| Não | NOWNG | No |
| Eu não entendo. | EH-oo nowng en-TEN-doo | I don't understand. |
| Pode repetir? | POH-jee heh-peh-CHEER | Can you repeat that? |
| Fala mais devagar. | FAH-lah mysh jeh-vah-GAR | Speak more slowly. |
| Como se diz...? | KOH-moo see JEESH | How do you say...? |
| Eu quero aprender. | EH-oo KEH-roo ah-pren-DEHR | I want to learn. |
| Estou praticando. | esh-TOH prah-chee-KAN-doo | I am practicing. |
| Muito bem! | MWEE-too beng | Very good! |
| Parabéns! | pah-rah-BENGSH | Congratulations! |
Full Conversation Practice
— Oi! Tudo bem?Hi! How are you?
— Tudo bem! Você treina Capoeira?All good! Do you train Capoeira?
— Sim, estou no programa inicial.Yes, I'm in the intro program.
— Que legal! Há quanto tempo?How cool! For how long?
— Há três meses. Estou aprendendo português também.For three months. I'm learning Portuguese too.
— Muito bem! Axé!Very good! Axé!
The best way to learn: Don't wait until you're "ready." Start using one word per class. Say "obrigado" when the teacher helps you. Say "tudo bem" when someone greets you. Small steps every class add up fast.
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