How do you use bora?
Use Bora! to get going, Bora? to suggest something, and bora plus a verb for "let's…". It's casual, for friends and relaxed coworkers.
| Portuguese | Meaning | In CiaoSpeak |
|---|---|---|
| Bora! | Let's go! (very casual) | Unit 11 |
| Bora? | Shall we? You in? | Not in the course |
| Bora lá! | Let's go! Come on! | Not in the course |
| Bora tomar um açaí? | Shall we get an açaí? | Not in the course |
| Bora, que já está tarde. | Let's go, it's already late. | Not in the course |
How do you answer bora?
To say yes, answer Bora!, Topo! ("I'm in!") or Fechou! ("Deal!"). To say no politely, Hoje não dá, mas valeu! ("I can't today, but thanks!").
| Portuguese | Meaning | In CiaoSpeak |
|---|---|---|
| Topo! | I'm in! | Unit 11 |
| Combinado! | Agreed! It's settled. | Unit 11 |
| Fechou. | Got it. (Literally "closed": deal.) | Speak: Ride-app car |
| Hoje não dá, mas valeu! | I can't today, but thanks! | Not in the course |
Where does bora come from?
Bora comes from vamos embora, "let's go (away)", shortened in fast speech. Embora on its own means "away" (ir embora, "to leave"), and, in a different sentence, "although".
| Portuguese | Meaning | In CiaoSpeak |
|---|---|---|
| Vou embora. | I'm leaving. | Unit 29 |
| embora | although | Unit 29 |
Who can you say bora to?
Say bora to friends and relaxed coworkers. With your boss, older people or strangers, Vamos? ("Shall we go?") is the neutral version.
| Who you're talking to | Can you say it? |
|---|---|
| Friends, people your age | Yes |
| Relaxed coworkers | Yes |
| Your boss, older people, strangers | Better Vamos? |
How can you practice Brazilian Portuguese out loud?
Practice it in short, real exchanges, out loud. CiaoSpeak's Brazilian Portuguese course teaches everyday words like Bora! and Topo! with a recording in a Brazilian accent, and in the Speak tab people across Brazil (a São Paulo baker, a Rio ride-app driver, your language-exchange partner Ana) ask you one question at a time. You answer by voice or typing, and the app tells you whether a Brazilian would understand you. Lessons are free; in the Speak tab, today's questions (up to five a day) are free too, and CiaoSpeak+ adds practice in any scene whenever you like. More words like this one: the Brazilian slang list.