The game (Brazil x Chile) is starting really soon, so I will make this a quick starting post, with more coming later. Here are a couple of terms you may hear if you go watch it in a bar or a Brazilian friend's house to get you started:
1. Basic terms:
Copa (do mundo) - world cup
Futebol - soccer
Partida/ jogo - match/game
Assistir - watch
bola (de futebol) - (soccer) ball
jogador - player
Exercises:
1. Make sentences with each of the words above, until you have used all the words (not necessarily in the same sentence). If you are a beginner, you may still be able to make very simple sentences slightly modifying the examples. Example:
Kaká é um jogador de futebol.
Eu não assisto todos os jogos da copa do mundo.
O meu amigo tem uma bola de futebol.
2. Answer if you can:
a. Que é o seu jogador favorito?
b. Você está assistindo os jogos da copa do mundo?
c. Qual foi a sua partida favorita?
d. Você tem uma bola de futebol?2. Torcer (para)
The verb for cheer is torcer (use it with para to say who you are cheering for). E.g.:
Torcer (para):
Para quem você está torcendo?
Who are you cheering?
Eu estou torcendo para o Brasil.
I am cheering for Brazil. Eu estava tocendo para o México.
I was cheering for Mexico yesterday.
You can also use this verb to say which team you support in general:
In the world cup, I always support (cheer for) Brazil, but my wife supports Argentina.
Eu torço para o Lakers.
I support the Lakers/ I'm a Laker's fan.
Exercises:
a. Make 2 sentences saying which teams you support in any sport you like.
b. Make 3 sentences saying which teams people you know support.
c. Practicing asking someone which team they are cheering for.3. Soccer terms:
If you know a little bit about soccer you may like to know these terms. I took them straight from this nice article (which teaches English soccer terms to Portuguese speakers):
- Escanteio – Corner kick
- Árbitro – Referee
- Técnico – Coach ou Team Coach
- Atacante – Striker
- Zagueiro – Defender
- Lateral – Winger
- Goleiro – Goalkeeper
- Meio campo – Midfielder
- Impedimento- Offside
- Lateral (cobrança) – Throw-in
- Penalti – Penalty kick
- Torcedor – Supporter/fan
- Bandeirinha – Linesman
Exercises:
This exercise is only recommended for those into soccer and it may be a nice prep before watching a game (assuming Brazil wins today :-)).
1. Do a little research and describe in Portuguese sentences, using the terms above:
a. The Brazilian team in a recent game;
b. Either (i) the team you support (if not Brazil); (ii) a team you recently watched, or; (iii) the team who is next playing Brazil.
E.g.:
O Dunga é o tecnico do Brasil.
This should give you a little bit to start speaking a little Portuguese on the next game... For now, see you after Brazil x Chile!