Learn Portuguese with Rio and Learn

In this short episode, listen to a narrated reading about Bahia Independence Day and its importance in Brazilian history. This is a reading of a Dica article from Rio & Learn, available on our website. You can also listen along directly on the page. English page: https://rioandlearn.com/bahia-independence-day/ Portuguese version: https://rioandlearn.com/pt-br/independencia-da-bahia/ You can li...

In this short episode, we read a Dica article about Bumba Meu Boi, one of Brazil’s most vibrant cultural traditions. You can find the full article on our website and listen along on the page as you read. English page: https://rioandlearn.com/bumba-meu-boi/ Portuguese version: https://rioandlearn.com/pt-br/bumba-meu-boi/ You can also listen along on the Portuguese page. Portuguese podcast channel:...

Brazilian dances are more than movement. They tell stories about Brazil’s Indigenous, African and European influences, and help explain the country’s cultural identity. In this episode, we explore famous dances such as samba, carimbó, bumba-meu-boi, frevo, forró, maracatu, baião, jongo, coco and Brazilian funk. You’ll hear where these rhythms come from, how they are connected to regions like Bahia...

Why is Valentine’s Day in Brazil celebrated on June 12 instead of February 14? In this episode, learn about Dia dos Namorados, Brazil’s Lovers’ Day, and why it is connected to Saint Anthony, known as a matchmaker and Saint of Love. You’ll also hear how Brazilians usually celebrate with romantic dinners, gifts, flowers, chocolate, love letters, and surprises for their partners. You’ll also learn us...

Corpus Christi in Brazil is a Catholic celebration of the Eucharist and always takes place 60 days after Easter Sunday, on a Thursday. In 2025, it falls on June 19; in 2026, on June 4. Although it is not a national public holiday, many Brazilian cities treat it as a day off, while others consider it a ponto facultativo, meaning each institution may decide whether to close. In this episode, learn w...

Discover Palmas, the sunny capital of Tocantins and Brazil’s youngest state capital, founded in 1989. This episode explores where Palmas is, how to get there, and why its planned layout, tropical climate, river beaches, parks, public squares, and local traditions make it such an interesting stop in northern Brazil. You’ll hear about Praça dos Girassóis, Praia da Graciosa, Parque Cesamar, nightlife...

In this short episode, we read our Dica article about the history of football in Brazil. You can find the full article on our website and listen along on the page. There is also a Portuguese version of the article, where you can listen along in Portuguese too. You can follow the Portuguese podcast channel on Spotify. English page: https://rioandlearn.com/brazilian-football-history/ Portuguese vers...

In this short episode, we read our Dica article about the meaning and use of “mulatto” in Brazil. You can find the article on our website and listen along on the English page. There is also a Portuguese version of the article, where you can listen along in Portuguese too. English page: https://rioandlearn.com/mulatto-in-brazil/ Portuguese version: https://rioandlearn.com/pt-br/mulato-brasileiro/ P...

In this episode, you can listen to a narrated reading about Labor Day in Brazil and learn more about its meaning, history, and place in Brazilian culture. It is a reading of the article available on our website, where you can also listen along on the page. If you want the Portuguese version, you can find the original article and listen there too. You can also explore our Portuguese podcast channel...

In this episode, we take a walk through the history of Brazilian art and explore how it has evolved over time. This is a narrated reading of our article on the topic, available on our website. You can read and listen along on the English page too. There is also a Portuguese version if you would like to follow it there as well. You can also listen along on the Portuguese page and find more episodes...

Discover how Brazilians joke around on Dia da Mentira, Brazil’s version of April Fools’ Day. This episode explores the playful side of Portuguese through classic piadas, from “o que é o que é” riddles to Joãozinho jokes, mother-in-law jokes, animal jokes, and clever wordplay. It’s a fun way to hear how humor works in everyday Brazilian culture. You’ll also pick up useful vocabulary related to joke...

Why do Brazilians shower so often? In this episode, we explore how hygiene in Brazil goes far beyond routine. It reflects culture, climate, social expectations, and daily habits. You’ll hear why many Brazilians shower more than once a day, why deodorant is essential before leaving home, and why brushing your teeth after lunch is so common. We also look at bathroom customs that may surprise visitor...

In this episode, we explore regular Portuguese verbs ending in -ER and see how they work in the simple present and simple past. You’ll hear clear examples with verbs like aprender, beber, comer, and correr, and notice the repeating endings that make these patterns easier to learn. The lesson also points out common irregular verbs ending in -ER, so you can start telling the difference. Along the wa...

In this short episode, we explore the meaning of salve in Portuguese and how this expression is used in everyday Brazilian Portuguese. It’s a simple and useful way to sound more natural when greeting people in informal contexts. This episode is a narrated reading of our Dica article, which you can find on our website. You can also listen along directly on the page while you read. English page: htt...

Not sure how to say “I don’t know” in Portuguese without sounding stiff? In this episode, we explore the go-to phrase eu não sei (and the shorter não sei ) plus everyday alternatives like não tenho ideia , não faço ideia , and nem ideia . You’ll also hear when stronger options like não tenho a mínima ideia make sense. We’ll focus on the key nuance between eu não sei (you genuinely don’t have the i...

In this episode, we take gato/gata beyond the dictionary. You’ll learn when it literally means “cat,” when it becomes a flirty Brazilian Portuguese compliment (“cutie,” “hottie,” “handsome”), and how expressions like gatinho/gatinha , gato preto , and meu gato / minha gata change meaning depending on context. Examples, cultural notes, and practical tips included. Read the full guide: ⁠https://rioa...

In this episode, we explore a lesser-known turning point in Brazil’s path toward independence: the 1817 Pernambuco Revolution . This is a narrated reading of our Dica do Dia , and you can find the original article on our website at the link below. You can also listen along on the page while you read. English page (original article): https://rioandlearn.com/1817-pernambuco/ Portuguese version (grea...

Learn colors in Portuguese with short, practical episodes designed for beginners. You’ll hear the most common color words, clear pronunciation, and simple examples you can use right away. Perfect for travel, daily conversations, and building your vocabulary one step at a time.

Today our Dica do Dia will talk about ordinal numbers in Portuguese!

Today we are going to discuss one of the most influential figures from the Brazilian Candomblé and Umbanda religions: the Orixá Iemanjá from Yorubá. Did you know Iemanjá is one of the most famous religious figures in our country? Iemanjá is one of the main religious figures in Salvador. In Rio de Janeiro, on the other hand, Iemanjá in Rio de Janeiro is so famous, that New Year’s Eve has a ritual j...

Are you ready to learn the names of body parts in Portuguese? Today we will learn many different and important words related to the body: head, foot, heart, face, eyes, hand, neck, brain, nose, legs in Portuguese, and much more! From limbs to organs, at the end of this class, you’ll be an expert in the human body vocabulary in Portuguese!

Have you ever watched a movie that left you breathless, grappling with the harsh realities of life while marveling at the brilliance of storytelling? City of God is one such cinematic gem that takes you on a riveting journey through the streets of Rio de Janeiro, exposing the raw essence of survival and the brutal consequences of a life entrenched in crime.

Today, we will explore a particularly important topic: telling  time in Portuguese . Did you know that Portuguese uses a different time system from the familiar AM/PM format? Additionally, there are multiple ways to express the same time in Portuguese. Are you confident in your ability to discuss time in Portuguese? And do you know how to say “time zone” in Portuguese? Join us as we learn and prac...

Today, we’re excited to teach you how to wish a Happy New Year in Portuguese! This will help you start the new year on the right foot. Are you ready? Let’s get started!

Today is Christmas Day, and we’re excited to teach you how to say “Merry Christmas” in Portuguese so you can wish your Brazilian friends a happy holiday! We’ll also explore how to say “Christmas” in Portuguese and introduce you to some essential Christmas vocabulary, including words like Santa Claus and Christmas tree.