What language is spoken in Brazil? What languages ​​do the population speak and what is the official language in Brazil? Is there a Brazilian language?

From this article you will learn what the official language is in Brazil.

Brazil is the largest country on the southern American continent. It speaks 175 languages, but has only one official language. What language is this? We'll find out in this article.

What language is spoken in Brazil?

Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro with a statue of Christ installed on the mountain

Until Europeans came to the American continent, the territory of modern Brazil was inhabited by Indian tribes. They spoke Indian languages, there were more than 1 thousand of them. Today, the number of Indians in this territory has decreased significantly, the languages ​​have also been forgotten, now 145 Indian languages ​​are known, spoken by 1% of the population of Brazil. The largest tribe of Indians is the Matses, living on the border with Peru.

The Portuguese began to settle in new lands in the mid-16th century. At the same time, ships with slaves from Africa began to arrive in South America. Later, the Portuguese had to fight for new colonies with the Spaniards, British, Dutch and Italians, some of them remained to live on these lands.

Now in Brazil there are Germans, Russians, Arabs, Japanese and other peoples living nearby, and they all speak their own languages.

What is the official language in Brazil?



The official language in Brazil is Portuguese. It is the only country in South America to recognize this language as a common language for the entire country. Portuguese is spoken by 191 million people, out of 205 million people living in the country. But in educational institutions and schools, Spanish and English are compulsory to study.

The following language groups can most often be heard spoken on the streets of Brazil:

  • Germanic (Spanish, English, German)
  • Romance (Talian language, spoken by some immigrants from Italy)
  • Slavic (Polish, Russian, Ukrainian languages)
  • Sino-Tibetan (Chinese)
  • Japanese
  • Creole language (now endangered)

Is there a Brazilian language?



Amazon River flowing through Brazil

Just as the English language in the UK and the US is different from each other, so the Portuguese language is different in America and Europe.

In Brazil, the Portuguese language differs from the language spoken in Portugal in phonetics, vocabulary, and pronunciation. The Brazilian analogue of the language is more melodic, soft, intelligible, it uses the letter “s” more, in Portugal “sh”. It is a kind of Brazilian dialect of Portuguese. And the fact that the Brazilian language exists is just a myth.

What is the Brazilian dialect? As you know, the Portuguese language originates from the Latin language. According to linguistic studies, in the Brazilian dialect, 80% of words are taken from Portuguese, 16% of Spanish words, 4% of words from Indian and African African languages.

So, we learned that Brazil has one official language, and many languages ​​that are not prohibited from being spoken.

Video: Brazil. Interesting facts about Brazil

Brief information about the country

Independence Date

Official language

Portuguese

Form of government

Federal Republic

Territory

8,514,877 km² (5th in the world)

Population

201,009,622 people (5th in the world)

Brasilia

Time Zones

Largest cities

Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Salvador, Belo Horizonte, Fortaleza, Brasilia

$2.181 trillion (7th in the world)

Internet domain

Telephone code

– one of the most attractive countries on the South American continent from a tourism point of view. Luxurious beaches with the purest golden sand and clear ocean water, the impenetrable wilds of the mysterious Amazon, the roar of waterfalls, the world-famous Brazilian carnival - hardly any other country can boast of such a set of wonders. And if you add to this list the subtle aroma of local coffee and imagine a passionate Brazilian woman performing samba, it becomes clear why every year millions of guests from all over the world strive to visit these amazing places.

Video: Brazil

Cities of Brazil

All cities in Brazil

Basic moments

Brazil is the largest country in South America. In terms of area, the republic occupies about 5.7% of the entire land surface on the planet, and in terms of population it is in the top five in the world. The capital is the city of Brasilia. And although many people associate this country exclusively with national entertainment - the grandiose carnival that precedes Lent, the flow of travelers does not dry out all year round.

"Let me go, elder." Fishing in the Amazon Rio de Janeiro is one of the most beautiful cities in the world!

Nature lovers in Brazil have the opportunity to see the Amazon rainforest, Iguazu Falls, wetlands and dunes in the Northeast region. Fans of a relatively new trend, agritourism, strive to visit plantations where coffee, sugar cane, tobacco and citrus fruits are grown. Both will have a great time on the beaches of Santa Catarina and will be able to visit the “crystal childhood dream” of the great schemer Ostap Bender - the crowded and unique Rio de Janeiro. You will definitely not be left indifferent by the original culture and vibrant national cuisine, which were formed under the influence of Indian traditions and characteristics brought to their new homeland by immigrants from Europe and Africa.

Located in the center of South America, Brazil shares borders with all countries of this continent, with the exception of Ecuador and Chile. An interesting fact is that the length of the territory both from north to south and from west to east is almost the same - 4320 km versus 4328 km. The length of the coastline is almost 7.5 thousand kilometers. In addition to continental lands, Brazil owns several archipelagos in the South Atlantic.

Organized on a federal basis, the state includes 26 states plus the capital district. Each of the administrative units of Brazil is endowed with fairly broad powers in both the legislative and executive fields. In addition, there is a division into larger territorial units - regions, of which there are five.

190 million Brazilians today speak 175 languages. Yes, yes, this is the correct number, and just a few centuries ago there were a good hundred more of them, imagine! How do the descendants of immigrants and natives communicate with each other? Brazil, for historical reasons, is the only state in the Americas where Portuguese has become the official language: it is spoken in schools, various institutions, on radio and television. The main religion in the country is Catholicism. In July 2013, it even hosted a Christian meeting from all over the world, and in honor of World Youth Day, a visit was made by Pope Francis (by the way, he himself is from neighboring Argentina).

The national character of the Brazilian can be characterized as follows: sentimentality, warmth, poetry, delicacy. But if you do not show due respect and attention to your new friend, for example, refuse to sit with him in a restaurant for the sole reason that you have an important business meeting, you will lose his friendship. The law on the unconditional abolition of slavery in Brazil was adopted just over 100 years ago, in 1888. To this day, Brazilians are always ready to remind: “This is not a colony for you!” – demanding to be treated with respect.

History of Brazil

The navigator Pedro Alvares Cabral, who discovered these territories in 1500, initially called them the Land of the True Cross, after some time the name was transformed into the Land of the Holy Cross. Much later, modern Terra do Brasil (Brazil) appeared. Of course, over the years it is impossible to find out what exactly caused the name change, but historians have an idea. On the coast of the Atlantic Ocean, huge tracts of special forest were discovered, which began to be actively exported to the metropolis. The material's properties were very similar to the famous red wood, which was delivered to local markets by Arab traders. It was called pau brazil in Portugal. This tree was used to produce expensive furniture, musical instruments and even paints.

The colonialists believed that they had managed to find exactly the place where the merchants took such a valuable product. And although the conclusion was erroneous (Brazil actually grows in Southeast Asia), the word has firmly entered into everyday use. Other researchers tend to associate the emergence of the modern name with the “Isle of the Blessed” Brazil, which is mentioned in Irish mythology and was even marked on geographical maps in the Early Middle Ages. This place, which according to legend served as a haven for monks and other people marked by God's grace, was hidden from prying eyes by thick fog, but numerous sailors attempted to discover the mysterious land.

Be that as it may, practically from the moment of its discovery to the Old World until 1822, Brazil was a colony of Portugal, which regularly supplied valuable timber, coffee, sugar cane and gold to the metropolis. From outside, mainly African slaves were brought here, whose descendants today make up a significant part of the population. Slavery in the then independent republic was abolished only in 1888. Around the same time, a stream of immigrants from Europe poured onto the shores of South America, looking for an opportunity to build a better life for themselves and their children on land overseas. It is significant that newcomers from a particular country tried to settle compactly, on the same territory, and these communities are still quite clearly different from each other.

Relief and climate of Brazil

The relief is heterogeneous. The lowland in the basin of the largest and most abundant river on the planet - the Amazon - occupies a significant part of northern Brazil. By the way, this territory has the status of the largest lowland in the world and at the same time is considered the least populated and least developed land by humans. The south and east of the country consists of highlands: the vast Brazilian and the Guiana, separated from the main massif by the Amazon. The narrow Atlantic Plain, where it meets the ocean, forms beaches, lagoons and natural harbors.

The climate of Brazil can easily be classified as hot. It varies significantly in different regions, since the territory of the state covers several zones at once: equatorial, semi-arid, subtropical and tropical. Within the framework of the latter, the tropical, tropical Atlantic and tropical high zones are additionally distinguished. From January to May, temperatures are moderately high (up to 18-20ºC at night and 27-30ºC during the day), and precipitation is frequent (up to 17 rainy days per month). But from June to December it gets hotter (up to +32-34 degrees during the day), and the weather is dry. Of course, in mountainous areas the indicators are much lower, frosts are possible closer to the peaks, but in general Brazil is favorable for travel at any time of the year.

“Carnival is the most Brazilian thing in all of Brazil,” wrote V. Bobrov in the book “1001 days in Rio de Janeiro.” And indeed - crazy fun, a riot of colors, extraordinary people, their spectacular clothes, songs and dances delight.

Every year at the end of February, the whole of Brazil, captivated by the continuous thunder of drums beating the rhythm of an incendiary samba, is immersed in the noisiest, brightest and most cheerful holiday, the grandest show on the planet - carnival. Its origins lie in the ritual dances of Black Africa, the pulsating rhythms of which, coinciding with the beats of the heart, were brought to Brazil along with millions of black male and female slaves. And now samba penetrates the blood of all participants and guests of the carnival for five days; for five days Brazil becomes an African country.

In the epicenter of the Brazilian carnival - Rio de Janeiro and Salvador - planes daily bring thousands of tourists from the USA, Argentina, European countries... Salvador usually receives 600-700 thousand foreigners, Rio - about a million. The hotels are overcrowded, despite the sky-high prices - reservations must be made in advance.

Colors of the Brazilian carnival

The carnival usually begins far from Rio de Janeiro, in the town of Olinda, where the parade of the oldest dance school of “virgins” takes place. These are 250 men dressed in women's clothing. Their performance goes on non-stop for 10 hours. And yet the main event of the carnival is the parade of samba schools in Rio. “Inflate your bean prices, but let me dance the samba freely!” goes the carnival song. Square-toed shoes with silver buckles, white stockings, slouchy trousers, brocade jackets, plumed hats; ladies in skirts with hoops, low necklines to the extreme - the royal courts of Europe march to the rhythm of samba. And under the brocade and gold suits - dark bodies, curly dark hair - Africa.

At the same time, ritual dances of Indians gather hundreds of thousands of spectators in Recife, in Olinda there is a traditional parade of huge wax models, in Ouru Preto there are “medieval” student festivities... A huge number of beauty contests, masquerade balls, and costume competitions take place everywhere. And all this is the Brazilian carnival. Five days in which only surgeons and their patients, babies and women in labor remain uninvolved in the madness of the holiday.

What to see in Brazil

Aunt Charlie from the Soviet film "Hello, I'm your aunt!" She was clearly disingenuous, remembering Brazil only as a country where there are many, many wild monkeys. The luxurious nature, the wealth of national, cultural and sports traditions have made these places extremely interesting for tourists.

The most popular destinations among guests include the following:

Amazon Tours

A cruise on this legendary river will leave a lot of unforgettable impressions. You can get acquainted with the unique flora and fauna of the region, catch a bloodthirsty piranha using bait made from raw meat, see the heroine of many chilling horror films - the anaconda, observe the behavior of bloodthirsty caimans, and night walks with a guide in a canoe will not leave lovers of extreme recreation indifferent. Arriving in, the capital of the state of Amazonas, you can feel like a pioneer, observing the life and peculiarities of the way of life of the aborigines. The pristine jungle at the confluence of the Black River (Rio Negro) and the Amazon will remain in your memory for a long time. It will be interesting to visit the Palassio Negro Palace, the museums of Indians and numismatics, and the Church of San Sebastian. Only here, just a few kilometers from the city, can you observe a unique phenomenon - the confluence of the Rio Negro and Solimões rivers, the waters of which, due to differences in density, do not mix at all and for many kilometers flow side by side in two multi-colored streams.

Unique climatic conditions, warm Atlantic currents passing near the coast and the proximity of the equator have made these places a real pearl of sea tourism. One of the longest beaches in the world - Copacabana, whose golden sands stretch for six kilometers, luxurious Ipanema or elite Leblon will give anyone, even the most demanding tourist, an unforgettable holiday and leave the warmest memories. Collectors of interesting facts will be curious to know that it was in Copacabana that two-piece bikini swimsuits first appeared, which to this day are considered the hallmark of this place. Next to one of the most prestigious areas of the city is Ipanema Beach. This is a favorite vacation spot for both guests of Rio de Janeiro and local residents. On weekends, the road running along the beach is closed to vehicles and is given over to numerous fans of roller skating, bicycles and skateboards. Volleyball, sand football and other outdoor games are also popular here.

Leblon, which belongs to the city district of the same name, has become a beach for successful businessmen and the so-called “golden” youth.

All sights of Brazil

Rio de Janeiro

One of the most visited cities in Brazil by tourists is Rio de Janeiro. This is explained by both the well-developed infrastructure and the huge number of attractions.

What to bring from Brazil?

If you want to buy a souvenir to remember Brazil or bring a gift to friends and relatives, then pay attention to the possible options:

  • Coffee. Among the wide variety of varieties, experts recommend paying attention to Rio, Parana, Santos, Minas and Victoria. They are grown in different states of Brazil, each with a unique aroma and taste.
  • Cachasa. A special vodka made from sugar cane, aged for at least one year in special wooden barrels. It is produced both in small family haciendas and in large enterprises. In the first case, the price of the drink will be significantly higher for objective reasons.
  • Jewelry made from semi-precious stones. When buying such a gift, be careful. It is better to purchase products made from precious stones in large shopping centers or stores with a solid reputation. The price will be higher, but the risk of getting an ordinary colored piece of glass for your money will be reduced to zero. It is much easier with semi-precious stones - you can safely buy them in small shops; it is simply unprofitable to counterfeit such products.
  • Bottles with colorful sand. One of the most popular souvenirs, because it is made right before your eyes: within a few minutes, the master creates amazing images inside a transparent container using only a wooden stick.
  • Hammock. This invention of the Indians has firmly entered the list of must-have souvenirs. You can purchase both wicker and woven products. If you plan to use it for its intended purpose, then give preference to the second option - it is stronger, more convenient and safer.

Tourists often purchase various wooden figurines skillfully carved by local craftsmen as a souvenir of Brazil. No less popular is lace, the weaving of which is a traditional form of applied art for these places. Leather products are of high quality: bags, belts, wallets and purses, shoes.

Remembering that trips to Brazil are unlikely to become regular for you, do not skimp on gifts for yourself and your loved ones.

What you need to know when going to Brazil

Brazil is a fabulous country. The only negative for Russian tourists is its remoteness. It is this fact that leads to the fact that tours here are quite expensive - the cost of the transatlantic flight affects it. In addition, the amount of your expenses may be affected by what goals are included in the voyage. If you just want to lie on the beach, then an independent trip with advance purchase of air tickets and hotel reservations will be quite justified, for which you can use the services of our website. If you want to travel around the country, you should give preference to vacationing as part of a tourist group. This is not only economically beneficial, but will also save you from organizational difficulties.

Brazilians are very hospitable and open people, ready to help a foreigner get comfortable in a foreign country. This applies to small cities, but in Brasilia or Sao Paulo, for example, be prepared to sometimes encounter impoliteness, rudeness and isolation of the local residents.

Visa

If your stay in Brazil does not exceed three months, you will not need a visa.

There are several types of Brazilian visas: transit (types A, B), short-term (type C) and national (type D). Citizens of the Russian Federation can obtain a visa at the consular section of the Brazilian Embassy in Moscow, which is located at: 121069, Moscow, st. Nikitskaya, 54. Contact phone number +7 095 290 28 30.

When visiting the country without a visa, a person does not have the right to immigrate to Brazil and engage in business activities there. When entering the country, the traveler must have sufficient funds, and must also have confirmation of a hotel reservation. All this may be required when crossing the border.

The amount of foreign currency allowed to a tourist is not regulated, but if you have more than 1000 US dollars on you, you must indicate this in the declaration. Certain restrictions have been introduced on the import of national currency, and you can export it only with a license from the Brazilian Central Bank. Without paying a fee, you can take with you a video camera, a player, a radio and a notepad with electronic memory - all of which are not more than one unit.

Naturally, weapons, drugs and many medicines are prohibited from being imported. It is strictly forbidden to export any animals, as well as products made from skins, shells, claws or feathers. Attempts at such smuggling are punished very severely.

Transport

The main mode of transport in the country is automobile. Brazil is surrounded by almost 2 million kilometers of roads, most of which are located along the country's coastline. All major highways and highways are in excellent condition, but the roads in the north of the country leave much to be desired.

It is better to travel long distances on local airlines. The number of flights and their branching make it possible to cope perfectly with passenger flows. When choosing an intercity bus as a means of transport, it makes sense to choose the most expensive and comfortable option, which is called leito. Instead of armchairs, special beds are installed in the cabins, so you can spend your time on the road comfortably. It is better to book a seat on such a sleeping bus in advance, at least a day or two in advance. Only on the route from the capital to Sao Paulo there will be no problems, since transport departs every half hour.

To travel around the city, it is best to use a taxi. Prices are comparable to European ones, but the distances here are much longer. If you decide to take a taxi, remember: the newer the car, the more expensive the trip will be. Plus, there is a separate charge for operating the air conditioner in the car. Municipal transport is also well developed in cities, and Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo have a metro. Many domestic transportations, including passenger ones, are carried out by water transport.

Port in El Salvador

Rule one is to never drink tap water. The consequences of such a rash act can be the most unpleasant. Swim with caution - coastal ocean currents can be dangerous for inexperienced swimmers. Local authorities do not put forward any special requirements for vaccination when visiting Brazil, but if you are planning a trip to the Amazon, it makes sense to purchase anti-malaria tablets and get vaccinated against hepatitis A and B.

Before going outside, be sure to use sunscreen, because the sun is “hot” here, and foreigners who are not accustomed to such heat should choose cosmetics with the highest level of protection against burns.

When it comes to swimming in the ocean, you need to be careful in Brazil, even if you are an excellent swimmer. The fact is that strong ocean currents that run along the coastline dominate here. For this reason, so-called “standing” waves arise, capable of creating a powerful surf zone.

Safety

A definite problem in Brazilian cities are local hooligans. In order not to risk your health and existing valuables, do not take solo walks in unfamiliar areas, do not carry original documents and a lot of cash with you. Trips and excursions as part of a tourist group are much safer.

We do not recommend counting on the help of street law enforcement officers. Here the police are particularly phlegmatic. It will be useful to write down or remember emergency numbers: 192 - ambulance; 193 - fire service; 199 - police. By the way, there are separate telephone numbers for the tourist police: 511-51-12 and 511-57-67.

The classification of hotels in Brazil is the same as in Europe. Service in a three-star hotel in most cases is at a very decent level; there are also a number of first-class hotels with the five-star category. Service usually leaves a positive impression on tourists, if you do not take into account the habit of many employees in not being in too much of a hurry to complete orders at the agreed time. The voltage in the electrical network differs from the traditional 220 V in Russia, but this should not bother guests - the receptionist will definitely offer an AC adapter.

Money

The country's currency is the Brazilian real. The currency is rare for exchange offices of Russian banks, so our compatriots take with them the dollar they have tested during their travels. There will be no problem exchanging it for national money; it is best to use the banking service for this. They usually work on a five-day week from 10 a.m. to four p.m. The same services are provided to travelers in large shopping centers, travel agencies, and hotels. The specificity of exchange in hotels is that only American currency will be accepted here.

Credit cards are used everywhere to pay for services and purchases in shopping malls and hotels. When going to a restaurant, it is better to take reals with you - not all establishments accept US dollars and checks. It is important to know that the exchange rate for travel checks is noticeably lower than that of cash currency. In Brazil, as in many other countries, you need to tip service staff. In restaurants they usually amount to up to 10% of the amount indicated on the bill; in simpler establishments you can get by with one or two reais, but on the beach it is generally not customary to reward with money. When calculating for a taxi ride, it is customary to round up the meter readings; you will have to pay separately if you ask to turn on the air conditioning in the car. Don't forget to tip your hairdresser and gas station attendant if you use their services.

Brazilian cuisine

Due to the prevailing national and historical conditions, Brazilian cuisine is quite eclectic. The fusion of African, European and Native American traditions has shaped local culinary traditions. Portugal's influence is reflected today in one-pot goulash, grilled meats and egg-based sweet desserts, cheese-making skills and smoking meats, and the use of ingredients such as salt cod, garlic, olives, quince and almonds.

The culinary traditions of the American Indians, the original inhabitants of the continent, are observed in the customs of preparing foods characteristic of South America. African slaves brought to Brazil in the 17th century to work the sugar plantations brought with them palm oil, coconut, dried shrimp, plantain, okra and original African recipes. Later, the gold rush and the rubber and coffee booms contributed to the influx of immigrants from Italy, Germany, China and Japan and their culinary traditions. In addition, the cuisine of each region of Brazil has its own characteristics, shaped by history and geographical location.

The most interesting dishes include an assortment of special black beans, meat, flour and vegetables with spices, fried “sarapatel” liver in various sauces, and sun-dried meat. Tourists are also amazed by the huge variety of tropical fruits. You can try delicious soft drinks prepared from them, and beer lovers will be pleased with the excellent quality of the local products.

This can be done on Air France or Iberia flights. Having made a flight along the Moscow-Rio route, with a connection in one of the European cities (Paris, Madrid, London or Amsterdam), in 17-20 hours you will find yourself in South America. You can fly to Sao Paulo by airliners of the same companies. Lufthansa and Swiss Air also have regular flights to this city.

Calendar of low prices for air tickets to Brazil

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Today Brazil is a multilingual country. More than 175 languages ​​and dialects can be heard here. And this takes into account the fact that over the past centuries about 120 languages ​​have already disappeared. But the official language of Brazil remains Portuguese. It is freely owned by the entire population of the country. It is used in government agencies, schools, and the media. Interestingly, Brazil is the only country in America where . It is surrounded on all sides by mainly Spanish-speaking countries.

Over so many years, the Portuguese language in Brazil has acquired some of its own characteristics and has become somewhat different from the usual Portuguese that can be heard in Portugal itself and other Portuguese-speaking countries. The Brazilian version of the Portuguese language was formed here. This is comparable to British and American varieties of English.

Native Indian languages

Before colonization and the arrival of Europeans on Brazilian lands, the entire territory of modern Brazil was inhabited by Indians. According to various estimates, from 270 to 1078 languages ​​from 17 language families were widespread among them. Over time, most of them disappeared; 145 Indian languages ​​that are common in the Amazon basin have survived to this day. There are more than 250 thousand people. The Constitution of the Brazilian Republic does not take away the right to their languages. Thus, in 2003, three Indian languages ​​(Baniwa, Nyengatu, Tukano) received status in the state of Amazonas.

Immigrant languages

In Brazil you can also hear more than three dozen languages ​​belonging to the Germanic, Romance and Slavic language groups, spoken by immigrants from European and Asian countries.

From 1824 to 1969 About a quarter of a million Germans immigrated to Brazil. Most of them moved here between World Wars I and II. Naturally, over so many years the German language has changed significantly, coming under Portuguese influence. Today, more than 2 million people, mostly living in the south of the country, speak one or another variety of German.
Where Brazil borders Argentina and Uruguay, Spanish is spoken.

If European immigrants populate the south of Brazil, then Asians (immigrants from Japan, Korea, China) are concentrated in large central cities, where they often occupy entire areas. About 380 thousand people speak Japanese, 37 thousand speak Korean. Japanese-language press has been published in Sao Paulo since 1946.

Let's take a brief excursion into history and find out Why did Portuguese become the national language in Brazil? and not in its pure form, but with the addition of a local dialect.

Local and immigrant languages

Brazil is a multilingual country.

To date 175 languages ​​are spoken there, including local Aboriginal languages ​​and immigrant languages ​​and dialects. There were another 120 languages, but they disappeared over time.

Nowadays, those who speak the unofficial language of Brazil are less than 1%.

After all Previously, the indigenous Indians of Brazil spoke their own languages. That is why the aborigines and the population of the new formation did not understand each other.

As a result of such metamorphoses the result was a language called “Lunga-Jeral”, which became the language of transition, and subsequently - and general in the state of Brazil.

There are also several aboriginal languages ​​in Brazil.

These include the languages ​​of the Indian tribes Boniva, Tukano, Nyengatu. These three languages ​​have become famous because they are officially recognized as the second languages ​​of one of the municipalities in the state of Amazon.


There are other, lesser-known Indian languages ​​and dialects. Such languages, for example, include the language of the Matses Indians (Majoruna). They speak a similar language of the Matis and Korubo Indians.

The Indians of this tribe are the largest group, which forms the northern group of the panel language.

There are Kulina-Pano, Marubo, and Kanamari tribes. But this tribe belongs to the Katukina language group.

The remaining peoples and their languages ​​are practically not studied.

National language of Brazil

Brazil is one of the countries in South America.

After colonization by Europeans, Portuguese became the official language.

It is the only country in Latin America that speaks Portuguese. All other states speak Spanish.

Brazilian Portuguese is a specific variant of classical Portuguese.

Over its centuries-old history of development the language absorbed the vocabulary of Indian and African tribes. This is very clearly visible in the names of local dishes, plants, and animals.

But even in this version there are dialects. In the north and south of the country, the language differs in the pronunciation of consonants.

The Portuguese language in its pure form is more closed, it has more sibilant sounds. The grammar has remained virtually unchanged.

Or explore the sights of the amazingly beautiful city of Rio de Janeiro

In addition to the official Portuguese language, other languages ​​are spoken in Brazil.

After all until the middle of the 19th century, the majority of the population was Caucasian from Portugal, and only then did the Germans, Italians, Spaniards, Russians, Arabs, and residents of the Balkan countries begin to join.

For a hundred years, From 1850 to 1965, approximately 5 million immigrants moved to Brazil. The bulk were Italians, Lebanese and Germans.

And after the Second World War ended, the Japanese poured into the country.


Last time the Brazilian dialect of Portuguese has become more studied than Portuguese itself in its purest form.

When traveling around Brazil, you can use English or the services of a translator.

After all, English is now the most widely spoken in the world, so in hotels, restaurants, airports there will always be people who speak English.

At the household level It's better to learn a few common phrases in Portuguese, Well, and be able to count from one to ten or a little more.

Here is a short list of basic phrases:

  • Ola! - Hello!
  • Bom dia! - Good afternoon! / Good morning! (before noon)
  • Boa tarde! - Good evening! / Good afternoon! (from noon to 18.00)
  • Boa noite! - Good evening! / Good night! (from 18.00 to midnight)
  • A te avishta - Goodbye!
  • Adeush! - Bye!
  • Quantu kushta? - What is the price?
  • Obrigado - Thank you (men say).
  • Eu so de Moshkov - I am from Moscow.
  • Eu nay fala purtugesh - I don't speak Portuguese.
  • Si - Yes.
  • Nau - No.
  • Fala English/Russu? – Do you speak English/Russian?
  • Shamo me... - My name is...
  • Pur Favor - Please.
  • Onda shta...? - Where is…?
  • Obrigada - Thank you (women say).
  • Tenya, and bondade - Be kind.
  • un – 1;
  • doish – 2;
  • trash – 3;
  • quattro – 4;
  • blue – 5;
  • seiches – 6;
  • sete – 7;
  • oytu – 8;
  • new – 9;
  • desh – 10.

Video tour of Brazil

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Just a few years ago, I couldn’t say exactly what language was in Brazil. Most likely, I would guess Spanish. However, at first glance, it seems that the Fast and the Furious movie has nothing to do with increasing erudition. However! :) During the fifth part of this film, I went to the cinema three times. And since the film took place in Brazil, I remembered for the rest of my life that The official language of this country is Portuguese.

A brief excursion into history

I have at least 3 people in mind who think that the only language spoken in all of South America is Spanish. In fact, that's almost true. The only exception is.

The colonization of Brazilian territory began in the 16th century, when it was first discovered by Pedro Alvares Cabral. This navigator was just Portuguese. As a result of its discovery, many Portuguese came from Europe, eager to profit from the sale of Brazil's natural resources. Although, of course, there was no such name or country. At that time, timber, sugar cane, coffee and some other things were exported from there.


Only 3 hundred years later, in 1822, the independence of Brazil was proclaimed. And at this time, already in the built cities, they spoke exclusively Portuguese. Of course, at that time there were still many tribes who had very little contact with Europeans, so they did not know the language well.

Currently, the only official language of Brazil is Portuguese. It is spoken absolutely, with the exception of 2-3 Indian tribes.

And now I just want to tell you about a few interesting facts about this wonderful country:

  • In Brazil there is no generally accepted religion at the state level. However, more than 70 percent of the people are Catholics.
  • To say that they love it in Brazil is an understatement. The national team of this country is the only one that has participated in absolutely all world championships.

  • - this is not only a country of carnivals, joy and fun. Absolutely every city has poor areas. Even the police are afraid to go into these places.