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.
Mother’s Day in Portugal (O Dia da Mãe) is celebrated on the first Sunday of May. It’s a day centred on family, appreciation, and the recognition of the role of mothers and mother figures in everyday life. In this post, you’ll learn how Mother’s Day is celebrated in Portugal, along with useful Portuguese phrases you … Read more
In 1974, Celeste Caeiro was 40 years old and lived in a room she rented in Chiado, with her mother and daughter. She worked on Braancamp Street, cleaning at the Franjinhas restaurant, which had opened a year earlier. She was the woman who sparked the beginning of The Symbol of the Revolution. Who is Celeste … Read more
The season is here! The season of Há Caracóis 🐌🐌. You may have seen signs pop up everywhere all of a sudden. You may see people out in the bushes or sides of the road picking snails and wonder what people intend to do with them, and the answer is to eat them. Don’t cringe yet … Read more
Depois do Adeus (After the Farewell) was Portugal’s entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 1974. It was performed by Paulo de Carvalho, with music by José Calvário and lyrics by José Niza. Although the song didn’t win Eurovision, it became one of the most important songs in Portuguese history. On the night of 24 April … Read more
The Carnation Revolution (Revolução dos Cravos) was a peaceful military coup that took place in Portugal on 25 April 1974. It ended decades of dictatorship under the Estado Novo regime and led to democracy. Today, it remains one of the most important events in Portuguese history and culture. We celebrate it every year as Dia … Read more
Olá pessoal! Today, I want to talk about a folk aspect of Portuguese culture that intertwines belief, tradition, and a touch of mysticism – Quebranto. If you’re superstitious, you’ll need to know about this. What is it? Now, what exactly is “Quebranto“? In simple terms, quebranto is a folk belief that describes a state of … Read more
Discover the story behind Portugal’s traditional Easter bread – the folar – and the themes of friendship, generosity, and celebration that come with it. So lets listen to the A Lenda do Folar da Páscoa. This post includes a B2 guided listening practice video, so you can challenge yourself and improve your comprehension of European … Read more
Portugal’s Eurovision 2024 entry is Iolanda – “Grito” (Shout). She represented Portugal at the Eurovision Song Contest 2024. Iolanda (Iolanda Costa) is a Portuguese singer-songwriter known for her emotional delivery and contemporary sound. Before Eurovision, she built a reputation as both a performer and a songwriter in Portugal’s music scene. “Grito” is a powerful, introspective … Read more
In many languages, the days of the week carry fascinating historical and cultural significance, and Portuguese is no exception. Unlike other Romance languages where the days are named after planets or gods, the days of the weeks in Portuguese offer a unique perspective – timekeeping. Let’s delve into the origins of the days of the … Read more
Gathering around the family table to enjoy a lamb meal on Easter Sunday is a cherished tradition in Portugal. But have you ever wondered about the origins of this custom and the rich symbolism behind it? Why do we eat Lamb for Easter? Agnus Dei Firstly, the roots of this tradition can be traced back … Read more