Who hasn’t heard (or said)São Paulo expressions and slang that, when translated into another language, don’t mean anything? After all, just as places can be distinctive, the way we speak and express ourselves also characterizes us as residents of São Paulo.
For example, when we think of São Paulo expressions, we immediately think of the famous “meu”! But there are many expressions that are quintessentially São Paulo. That’s why we’ve selected some of the funniest and most common examples in the daily life of residents of the state capital.
São Paulo slang and expressions
Cê
Short for “você.”
“Are you going to class today?”
Meu
Slang widely used to address someone, or at the beginning and end of any sentence. It’s a classic São Paulo expression!
“Ô loco, meu”
Mano
It works the same way as “meu.” Sometimes, it becomes almost like a comma because we use it so much.
“Dude, you won’t believe what happened!”
Mina
The feminine form of “mano” is also a São Paulo slang term widely used to refer to girlfriends.
“That’s my girl”
Man, oh man
The interjection that is the very essence of São Paulo. It can be positive or negative, and we never get tired of it.
“Man, you have no idea!”
Are you kidding me?
A synonym for the expression “are you messing with me?” Used to call someone out on behavior we don’t like.
“I can’t believe you did that. You’re messing with me, right?”
You know what I mean?
When asking if someone knows a certain fact. Also widely used at the end of sentences as a substitute for “got it?”.
“You know I really wish I could go…”
Beer
Beer.
“Shall we grab a beer after work?”
Pistola/Pistolou
Someone who loses their patience, the act of losing patience with something or someone.
“Did you see the fight? So-and-so was furious!”
Velho
This is another São Paulo slang term used to refer to someone, in the same vein as “meu” and “mano.”
“Man, I’m so tired!”
Tio
Yes, people from São Paulo have all these ways of addressing others.
“Come on, man! Are you crazy?”
Osso!
Something that’s very unlikely to happen or a bad situation.
“It’s rough at the office.”
Manjar
A São Paulo expression meaning “to understand” or “to know.”
“Have you heard about that new bar that opened on Paulista?”
Miado
Something that’s bad.
“This party is a bust! Let’s get out of here!”
If you pass
Used when someone behaves in an exaggerated or inappropriate way for the situation. It can be synonymous with making a fool of oneself or losing one’s mind.
“I heard that so-and-so drank too much and passed out at the company party.”
Rolê
It means a party, outing, or going out. But it’s one of those São Paulo slang terms with more than one meaning, as it can also be used to describe something that’s a lot of work.
“Shall we go for a roll this weekend?” or “Wow, what a roll—going all the way to the South Zone and back!”
Mó
Synonym for “a lot.”
“Wow, that’s a real trip!” (way too far, way too hard)
Mó cota
“Cota” is used to refer to time, and this expression with “mó” refers to something that took or will take a long time.
“No way am I going to Center Norte.”
Colar
São Paulo slang for being present at a place or event.
“Are you going to crash the barbecue this weekend?”
Stick to the gum
You already know what “colar” means. As for “goma,” for some São Paulo locals, it’s a synonym for home. In other words, if someone asks you to “colar na goma,” they’re inviting you to go to their house.
“Let’s hang out at Cleitinho’s later?“
Two sticks
Something done quickly.
“Hold on a sec, I just need to finish this exercise.”
Blurry
A complicated situation to resolve, difficult.
“It’s a hassle to get everyone together, huh?!”
Done
Synonym for “agreed,” “set.”
“It’s a deal, then. I’ll be there on Sunday!”
My bad
São Paulo slang for apologizing for something.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to hurt you.”
Going crazy
Making up stories, lies, or excuses. Whether to avoid a situation or to embellish a story.
“She went crazy so she could skip school.”
Migué
A variation on “meter o louco.” To chat idly or lie.
“I had to pull a fast one just to get out of the house.”
To be “on top of things”
Synonym for having courage or even audacity.
“I doubt you have the guts to do that!”
To bump into
To meet up with someone.
“We’ll bump into each other at the party, then”
To give PT
To have a “total blackout” after a night of drinking, meaning you can’t remember (almost) anything.
“So-and-so drank so much at the party that he passed out! We had to call a taxi.”
Bus
Bus.
“I can’t stand running after the bus anymore.”
Rachar o bico
One of São Paulo’s slang terms that will make you laugh until you can’t breathe.
“Wow, I cracked up at that guy’s fall!”
You bet
Used when we agree with someone. Or not really, but to avoid the hassle, we end the discussion.
“You bet!”
Na maciota
Means to do something calmly, without rushing or complications.
I spent my whole vacation just chilling.
Suave/sussa
It’s used to agree with something, say that’s fine, or even refuse something.
“I’m not in the mood for a fight, can we just get along?”
Trampar
What every São Paulo native does a lot and does well. Work!
“I can’t go out today; I have to work early tomorrow.”
Bullshit
Synonym for a fight or argument.
“Wow, there was a huge mess on my street last night.”
Stuff
This São Paulo slang is used in almost every situation as a synonym for “thing,” “situation,” etc.
“This is crazy!”
Slang that only São Paulo locals understand, according to our readers
We bet there are some slang terms that only people from São Paulo understand! After all, the city is diverse and has been influenced by many external factors that have directly impacted our language—in other words, it’s not hard to find local idioms that only exist around here, right? But do outsiders understand our everyday vocabulary? Or is it about time we launched a “São Paulo Glossary” to help visitors?
To help us out, our followers listed the São Paulo slang and expressions that only city residents understand. Check them out below and see if any of them are in your vocabulary:
- @leilanevelame – “Mistura” …where else do they call protein “mistura”?!?????!
- @danielapiresconsteladora – Go ahead and jump around, take care of your police reports
- @marcelosirsant – They call a cookie a “bolacha,” even though it’s written on the package—you’ll understand, lol
- @camillatres – JÃO
- @eliane.mingues – Saying “Thanks” by saying: ” Magina hahaha.” I don’t know at what point in São Paulo history we started using “Imagina” as a thank you, but it’s really funny 😂
- @karole.lopes – Comer bola
- @saudementalpopnegra – Mó fita
- @luisaendo – It’s not slang, but “sorvete de massa” makes anyone from outside São Paulo think it’s a tub of frozen pasta.
- @caina_passos – Yeah, man. I use it and a lot of people don’t get it…
- @rachelmaranhao – Cream cheese on the way in or on the way out?
- @gh.smenezes – A mix, full of nonsense, turned into Jiraya
Did you like the list of São Paulo slang and expressions? Which one do you use the most? And which one was missing and can’t be left out? Ah, here’s our farewell…
It’s us!
