Interjeições e expressões de emoção
Interjeições e expressões de emoção means “Emotional interjections — one-word reactions (Nossa!, Ufa!, Eita!)”. Emotional interjections are spontaneous one-word reactions, almost always spoken. Formation: Interjeição! — uma palavra + entoação exclamativa (só na fala)
Emotional interjections — one-word reactions (Nossa!, Ufa!, Eita!)
A2Formation
Interjeição! — uma palavra + entoação exclamativa (só na fala)
Explanation
Emotional interjections are spontaneous one-word reactions, almost always spoken. The most famous is 'Nossa!' (from 'Nossa Senhora', Our Lady), which expresses amazement and is a real giveaway of a Brazilian; other surprise words include 'Caramba!', 'Eita!' (common in the Northeast), 'Caraca!' and 'Uau!'. For relief you say 'Ufa!' (phew); for annoyance or disgust, 'Aff!', 'Credo!', 'Eca!' (yuck) and 'Ih!' (uh-oh, something went wrong). 'Opa!' is used to get attention, greet, or say 'yes', and 'Oxe!'/'Oxente!' mark surprise in the Northeast. Pain is 'Ai!', encouragement is 'Vai!' or 'Isso!', and regret is 'Poxa!' or 'Pô!' (aw, come on). Notice that several come from religion ('Nossa Senhora' becomes 'Nossa'; 'Credo') and have no exact translation in other languages.
Examples
Note
None of these interjections translates word for word: use the closest equivalent in each language (Nossa! ≈ Wow! / ¡Madre mía! / Caspita! / maji de! in Japanese). 'Nossa!' and 'Credo!' come from religion but today feel neutral in everyday speech.
FAQ
Interjeições e expressões de emoção — what does it mean and how is it used?
Emotional interjections — one-word reactions (Nossa!, Ufa!, Eita!). Emotional interjections are spontaneous one-word reactions, almost always spoken. The most famous is 'Nossa!' (from 'Nossa Senhora', Our Lady), which expresses amazement and is a real giveaway of a Brazilian; other surprise words include 'Caramba!', 'Eita!' (common in the Northeast), 'Caraca!' and 'Uau!'. For relief you say 'Ufa!' (phew); for annoyance or disgust, 'Aff!', 'Credo!', 'Eca!' (yuck) and 'Ih!' (uh-oh, something went wrong). 'Opa!' is used to get attention, greet, or say 'yes', and 'Oxe!'/'Oxente!' mark surprise in the Northeast. Pain is 'Ai!', encouragement is 'Vai!' or 'Isso!', and regret is 'Poxa!' or 'Pô!' (aw, come on). Notice that several come from religion ('Nossa Senhora' becomes 'Nossa'; 'Credo') and have no exact translation in other languages.
Interjeições e expressões de emoção — how do you form it?
Interjeição! — uma palavra + entoação exclamativa (só na fala)
Interjeições e expressões de emoção — any usage notes?
None of these interjections translates word for word: use the closest equivalent in each language (Nossa! ≈ Wow! / ¡Madre mía! / Caspita! / maji de! in Japanese). 'Nossa!' and 'Credo!' come from religion but today feel neutral in everyday speech.