Sunday, July 29, 2012



Oftentimes my students ask me what the proper usage is for greetings and signing off professional e-mails. I work with a lot of students  from all sorts of different fields,  and just in case you’re planning on doing business in Brazil or Angola, I think this will serve as a pretty good guide.

For Formal Business/Government Letters:

Greetings –
Exemplo:Prezado Senhor/a (nome) or Estimado Senhor/a (nome):

If you don’t know the person’s name:
Exemplo: “Prezado Senhor/a,” or Estimado/a,”( both work)

Also, if it’s more than one person, adding simply Srs” or “Senhores” to the end of the greeting can work as well.
Exemplo: Prezados Senhores:”

After greeting them, you might want to follow with what it is you are getting at with the letter.

A good introduction is:
Exemplo: Venho através desta para…Literally, “I come through this for…” But what it means is ”I am writing this letter to…”

Sign-offs -
Exemplo: Atenciosamente, Grato, Cordialmente,

A “thank you” before signing off is always nice too…
Agradeço-lhe a atenção.

Formal e-mails usually follow the same lines, only things tend to be abbreviated.

Formal E-Mails
Greetings -
Exemplo:Caro, Prezado Sr/a.,

Sign-offs -
Exemplo:Atenciosamente (or Att.) or Grato/a,

Informal E-mails/Letters

I’m personally a big fan of hugs and kisses and smiley faces all around, but I have to be careful as to not send hugs to a client on a first contact. I will usually use one of the greetings above, or simply the person’s name for an informal e-mail. Another greeting can be a simple “Oi (nome) (BR) or “ Olá(nome) (PT) Sign-offs

If you’re more friendly with your client or coworker, or if it’s a good friend, Abraços, is a good sign-off.

Often end e-mails with Beijos or Beijinhos the same way I would end an informal e-mail to a friend in the US with “Love,”  or “take care”. Just be careful if you’re sending this to a coworker of the opposite sex. They might not take it as friendly as you mean for it to be!!!!!

Boa sorte!!!

Thursday, July 19, 2012


Bom dia ! Here, there are the espressions of this week.

embora (though, although,away)

  Muito embora- although

  Embora não gostasse dele...-Though I didn’t like him...


 
Ir-se embora- to go away, to leave

Vou embora. – I’m leaving.

Vamos embora.- Let’s go.

Vai-te embora!- Go away!


Tuesday, July 10, 2012


Hello ! Many students ask me “what is the difference between conseguir and seguir”, below there are some examples. I hope it could be helpful.

Conseguir :

1-to get ; to be able

Eu consigo sempre o que quero. I always get what I want.

Tu consegues escrever um texto. You are able to write a text.

2-to manage; to succeed

Consegui passar no teste. I succeeded in passing the test.

3- can

Não consigo dormir. I can not sleep.

4- to do

Consegui! I did it!

Seguir:

1- to follow

Seguir uma pista. To follow a lead.

Siga-me! Follow me!

3- to go on


Eu vou seguir por aquela estrada velha. I am going to go on that old road.

4- to drive


Pode seguir! You may drive on!

Expressions…

A seguir… Next…

Logo a seguir… Just then…

Quem se segue? Who’s next?