Beginner’s Guide to Brazilian
Many new students to the sport of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, who happen to be lucky enough to have a real Brazilian instructor, are often caught a little off guard with the language. So here, our dear reader, is your Gracie-Barra Brief Introduction to Brazilian. (Yeah, I know, it’s “Portuguese”, but the version of the language we know and love could just as well be called, “Brazilian”.)
e ai (eh-ay-ee) What’s up?
ta? (tah?) Did you see that? Example: “You trap his arm, ta? You shift your base, ta? You pass your leg over his head, ta? You subymit him with a triangle! Ta?”
Subimit (Su-bee-mit) Submit.
Cara (Ca-dah) No, it’s not Spanish for “face”, it means “dude”.
Fica (Fee-ka) Stay or stand. Combining with the above: “Si cada fica em pe…”, meaning “If the dude stands up…”
Chão (Shaum) Ground.
Po (Poh) Butt.
Cudo (Koo-do) Elbow.
Pé (Pay) Foot.
Nuca (Noo-ka) Neck.
Mão (Mohn) Hand.
Pow (like “wow”) The sound you make when you apply an armbar or other finish holds. Example: “So, you climb your legs up, pull his arm across, and POW, slap on the armbar!”
Porra (Po-ha) The most apparently versatile word in the Brazilian language. It can mean anything from surprise (”You met THREE girls Friday night? PORRA!”) to an exclamation of emotion (”PORRA! I just broke your left foot, now I’m gonna break the right! PORRA!”)
So, there are you students, all you need to know for successful participation in a real BJJ class. Until next time…