Explore the rich culture and traditions of Portugal while learning European Portuguese. This category covers holidays, festivals, popular customs, folklore, Fado, sports, proverbs, and everyday life in Portugal. Ideal for learners at all levels, these lessons help you understand the context behind the language, improve cultural awareness, and communicate naturally in real-life situations.
Language isn’t just about words – body language plays a huge role too! In Portuguese, we always use hand gestures to emphasise our words. Some of these gestures are so uniquely Portuguese that even fluent speakers might not know them! For example, if someone has their “nariz empinado” (literally “nose raised”), they’re acting snobbish or … Read more
Portugal’s Eurovision 2025 entry is by NAPA – “Deslocado” (Displaced). They represented Portugal at the Eurovision Song Contest 2025. The band won Festival da Canção, Portugal’s national selection for Eurovision. “Deslocado” is a deeply emotional song that explores the feeling of not quite belonging, of being physically present but emotionally elsewhere. It taps into something … Read more
The winter season of 2024/25 saw a high frequency of rain in Portugal! It was reminiscent of my childhood when my friends and I wore wellies and carried brollies to school. Back then my school didn’t have heating and we would have to wait outside the classrooms in the rain between classes. I greatly disliked … Read more
Carnaval: Religious or secular? It’s definitely a time of exuberant costumes, lively music, and indulgence before the solemn season of Quaresma (Lent). But is Carnaval a celebration of excess before Lent? Is it a religious festival or a purely secular celebration? The answer depends on where you look. Across Portugal, Brazil, Italy, the Netherlands, and … Read more
Did you know that sugar packets in Portugal often feature fun sayings, cultural expressions, or historical facts? This series features Global Heroes and Visionaries. There are 12 in total but I have only found a few in total! If you find one (or a different series) please share it with me here or on FB! … Read more
In this video, we practise Portuguese with Luke, a polyglot passionate about languages, who is currently learning European Portuguese. In this video, we chatted about: 🟠 Where Luke lives – and how to correctly say na Suíça (“in Switzerland”) in Portuguese.🏙️ Life in Geneva – the pros and cons of living in a city like … Read more
Boas Festas pessoal! This year’s song is the Portuguese Versionof Silver Bells. It’s called “Um Som Bom”. Lyrics Toca um sino, toca um hinoÉ o Natal a chegar,E no ar há uma estrela a brilhar.Há um som bom, um som bem bom,Que parece falarE nos diz que é o Natal a chegar. Soam bem, (soam … Read more
Este ano, embarca numa jornada mágica ao redor do globo com o nosso Calendário do Advento! 🎁🌟 Todos os dias, vamos explorar curiosidades, fatos e tradições de Natal de diferentes países e culturas, celebrando a diversidade e a beleza do espírito natalino em todo o mundo. 🌐💫 Prontos para a aventura? Vamos juntos explorar as … Read more
If you’re in Portugal during Christmas, one of the most meaningful experiences you can have is attending the Missa do Galo (Midnight Mass), or “Rooster’s Mass.” This midnight mass on Christmas Eve is a deeply rooted Catholic tradition, commemorating the birth of Christ and uniting communities in prayer and celebration. The Catholic Significance The Missa … Read more
Must-Know Portuguese Christmas Holiday Phrases Are you dreaming of a unique holiday destination this Christmas? Planning a Christmas Trip to Portugal? Get a few must-know Portuguese Christmas Holiday Phrases in the video down below. My country combines rich traditions, mild winters, and enchanting festivities that create an unforgettable experience! Popular destinations like Lisbon and the … Read more