Flashcards: Family – Celebrate Fathers’ Day and Brazilian Valentine's with New Vocabulary

 (Photo: Amor de Pai) 

American dads must be excited about their special day this coming June 18th. Brazilian dads, however, will have to wait a little more to celebrate because Dia dos Pais (Father’s Day) in Brazil is celebrated on the second Sunday of August. The tradition is the same as in The U.S. Usually, children make cards and help their mothers buy presents for papai (daddy). On Sunday, families get together for a special lunch or dinner.

Other ways to call your Pai (Father) are:

• papai - dad 
• paizinho or painho - daddy – especially in the Northeast of Brazil
• o coroa  -  old man – very informal

Note: When we are talking to our pais, they can be Pai, papai, painho, coroa, but when we are talking about them we say meu pai, painho, o coroa, or meu coroa. We never say meu papai, though.

• Papai, posso pegar o carro emprestado? (Dad, can I borrow your car?)
• Meu pai não me emprestou o carro. (My father did not lend me the car.)
• Painho, eu te amo! (Daddy, I love you) 
• Feliz Dia dos Pais!  (Happy Father's Day)

The same rule applies to:

• mãe - mother
• mamãe - mom
• mãezinha or mainha - mommy – especially in the Northeast of Brazil
• a coroa - old woman – very informal

• avó - grandmother
• vovó - grandma
• vozinha or Voinha – granny/nanna – especially in the Northeast of Brazil

• avô – grandfather
• vovô – grandpa
• vozinho or Voinho – granddaddy – especially in the Northeast of Brazil

Did You Know That Valentine’s Day is June 12 in Brazil?

  (Photo: Blog do Matheus Vasconcelos)

Another upcoming special date for Brazilians is Dia dos Namorados (literally Girlfriend/Boyfriend’s Day) celebrated on June 12. Different from Valentine’s Day, when friends exchange cards or gifts, Dia dos Namorados is only celebrated by those who share a romantic relationship. Usually, the couples exchange Cartões de Amor (Love Cards), presents (especially teddy bears), flowers and chocolate, and have a romantic dinner.

Interestingly, Dia dos Namorados is also linked to a Saint, in this case, Santo Antônio (San Antonio) who is known as “santo casamenteiro” (Patron Saint of matrimony) and is celebrated on June 13. It is believed that San Antonio will help maidens to find a husband if they pray to him. Others, more impatient, believe that it will only work if they threaten the statue of San Antonio, usually keeping it upside down till they find a husband.

To learn about one of the most famous fictitious Brazilian couples, check out Luciana Lage’s latest blog post Brazilian Pop Culture: Learn About the Viral Video Eduardo e Mônica. 

Below is a list of holidays in Brazil; some of them are the same in the United States: 

1. Dia das Mães (Mother's Day) – Celebrated on the second Sunday of May
2. Dia dos Pais (Father's Day) – Celebrated on the second Sunday of August
3. Dia dos Namorados (Valentine's Day) – Celebrated on June 12th
4. Dia da Independência (Independence Day) – Celebrated on September 7th
5. Dia do Trabalhador (Labor’s Day) – Celebrated on May 1st
6. Dia das Crianças e Nossa Senhora Aparecida (Children’s Day and Our Lady Aparecida) – Celebrated on October 12th
7. Dia dos Professores (Teachers' Day) – Celebrated on October 15th
8. Natal (Christmas) – Celebrated on December 25th 

To learn family vocabulary, check out my new set of flashcards below and take the quick quizz that follows.

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