At the A1 level, you should learn 'brincalhão' as a basic adjective to describe people or pets. It's one of the first words used to talk about personality. You should focus on the simple masculine form 'brincalhão' and its feminine counterpart 'brincalhona'. At this stage, you simply need to know that it means 'playful' and follows the noun. For example, 'O meu gato é brincalhão'. It helps you build basic sentences about your family and your pets, which are common topics for beginners. You don't need to worry about complex grammar yet, just its basic meaning and gender agreement.
At the A2 level, you begin to use 'brincalhão' to describe a wider range of situations. You should be comfortable with the plural forms 'brincalhões' and 'brincalhonas'. You can start using it with adverbs of degree like 'muito' or 'bastante'. You also learn to distinguish it from 'engraçado' (funny). You might use it in short stories or descriptions of your childhood. For instance, 'Quando eu era criança, eu era muito brincalhão'. This level requires you to use the word in the past tense (Pretérito Imperfeito) to describe habitual traits of people you knew.
At the B1 level, you can use 'brincalhão' to describe abstract concepts like a 'playful tone' (um tom brincalhão) or a 'playful spirit' (um espírito brincalhão). You understand that the word implies a certain social dynamic. You can use it in more complex sentences with conjunctions, such as 'Embora ele seja sério no trabalho, em casa é muito brincalhão'. You also start to recognize the word in different media, like books or films, and can explain why a character is described this way. Your vocabulary is expanding to include related nouns like 'brincadeira'.
At the B2 level, you understand the nuances between 'brincalhão' and its synonyms like 'jovial' or 'divertido'. You can use the word in professional contexts to describe a positive work environment or an approachable leader. You are aware of regional variations in how the word is used in Brazil versus Portugal. You can also use the word in the diminutive 'brincalhãozinho' to express affection or slight irony. Your ability to use the word in various tenses and moods, including the subjunctive, is well-developed: 'Espero que o meu novo cão seja brincalhão'.
At the C1 level, you use 'brincalhão' with precision in literary or academic discussions about humor and play. You can analyze how a 'brincalhão' persona might be used as a defense mechanism or a social strategy. You are familiar with idiomatic expressions and can use the word creatively in writing. You understand the historical development of the word from 'brincar' and its Latin roots. You can also use it to describe sophisticated irony or a 'playful' architectural style. Your usage is indistinguishable from a native speaker's in terms of placement and connotation.
At the C2 level, you have a complete mastery of 'brincalhão'. You can use it to discuss the philosophical concept of 'Homo Ludens' or the role of play in human evolution. You recognize the word in archaic or very formal literature and understand its evolution. You can use it to convey very subtle shades of meaning, perhaps using it ironically to describe someone who is actually being annoying. You are comfortable using all its derivatives and related terms in any context, from a scientific paper on animal behavior to a poetic description of nature.

brincalhão في 30 ثانية

  • Brincalhão means playful or fond of jokes.
  • It is the masculine singular form; use brincalhona for feminine.
  • The plural forms are brincalhões (m) and brincalhonas (f).
  • It comes from the verb 'brincar', meaning 'to play'.
The Portuguese word brincalhão is a delightful adjective used to describe someone or something that is naturally playful, fond of making jokes, or possesses a lighthearted and mischievous spirit. At its core, it is derived from the verb brincar, which means 'to play.' When you call someone a brincalhão, you are highlighting their tendency to find humor in situations or their energetic desire to engage in fun activities. It is a word that carries a generally positive and warm connotation, often used to describe children, pets, or that one friend who never takes life too seriously. Unlike the word engraçado, which simply means 'funny,' brincalhão implies an active engagement in play or jesting. It describes a personality trait rather than just the result of a single joke.
Personality Trait
Refers to a person who is habitually playful and enjoys teasing others in a friendly way.

O meu avô sempre foi muito brincalhão com os netos.

In social contexts, being brincalhão is seen as a social lubricant, helping to ease tension and bring people together through shared laughter. However, context is key; while being playful is usually appreciated, someone might be told they are being 'too' brincalhão if they make jokes during a somber or professional moment. This word also changes based on gender: brincalhão for masculine nouns and brincalhona for feminine nouns.
Animal Behavior
Commonly used to describe young animals like kittens or puppies that are full of energy and play.

Aquele cachorrinho é extremamente brincalhão e adora correr.

Social Dynamics
Describes the 'life of the party' who uses humor to keep the atmosphere light.

Ela é a pessoa mais brincalhona do nosso grupo de amigos.

Estes miúdos são muito brincalhões quando estão juntos.

As gatas da vizinha são muito brincalhonas.

To summarize, this word captures the essence of playfulness and good-natured humor across various life stages and species.
Using brincalhão correctly involves understanding both its grammatical placement and its gender-specific endings. In Portuguese, adjectives usually follow the noun they modify. Therefore, if you are talking about a playful dog, you would say um cão brincalhão. The word acts as a descriptor of a permanent or habitual trait when used with the verb ser (to be), such as in Ele é brincalhão (He is a playful person). If you use it with estar, it might imply the person is acting playful at that specific moment, though ser is much more common for this specific adjective.
Masculine Singular
Used for male people, male animals, or masculine nouns.

O professor é brincalhão e faz piadas durante a aula.

Feminine Singular
Changes the ending to -ona for feminine subjects.

A minha irmã é muito brincalhona com as crianças.

Masculine Plural
Used for groups of males or mixed-gender groups.

Os alunos são brincalhões, mas estudam muito.

As crianças tornam-se brincalhonas no parque.

O tom brincalhão da conversa ajudou a relaxar.

Furthermore, you can intensify the adjective using adverbs like muito (very), bastante (quite), or extremamente (extremely). For example, Ele é um rapaz extremamente brincalhão. It is also common to see it in the diminutive form brincalhãozinho to add an extra layer of affection or to describe a small child or animal.
In daily Portuguese life, brincalhão is a staple of informal and semi-formal conversation. You will hear it most frequently in family settings. Parents often use it to describe their children's behavior to relatives: 'O meu filho é muito brincalhão.' In schools, teachers might use it to describe a student who is well-liked but perhaps a bit distracting because they are always joking.
Family Gatherings
Used to gossip affectionately about the family jokester.

O tio João é o mais brincalhão da família.

You'll also encounter it in media, particularly in cartoons or children's stories where characters are defined by their playfulness. In literature, it might be used to describe a character's disposition, often contrasting with a more serious counterpart.
Pet Stores / Shelters
Descriptions of animals often include this to indicate they are active and friendly.

Procuramos um dono para este gato brincalhão.

Workplace (Informal)
Colleagues might use it during coffee breaks to describe a coworker who lightens the mood.

O ambiente no escritório é bom porque o chefe é brincalhão.

Ele tem um espírito brincalhão que cativa toda a gente.

Não fiques chateada, ele estava apenas a ser brincalhão.

Whether you are watching a Portuguese soap opera (telenovela) or chatting with locals at a café, this word will frequently appear when describing personalities and social interactions.
One of the most frequent mistakes learners make with brincalhão is confusing it with other words related to humor or toys. For example, learners might use brinquedo (toy) when they mean brincalhão (playful). While they share the same root, one is a noun and the other is an adjective. Another common error is failing to match the gender and number. Since brincalhão has a unique ending, people often forget that the plural is brincalhões and not brincalhãos.
Confusion with 'Engraçado'
Learners often use 'engraçado' (funny) when they mean 'playful'. If a dog is running around with a ball, it's 'brincalhão'. if a comedian tells a joke, they are 'engraçado'.

Errado: O cão é muito engraçado (meaning it likes to play). Correto: O cão é muito brincalhão.

Misusing Formality
Calling a superior 'brincalhão' might be too informal in some cultures, though in Portugal/Brazil it is often seen as a compliment to their approachable nature.

Atenção: Use brincalhão com cuidado em contextos formais.

Gender Agreement
Don't forget to use 'brincalhona' for feminine nouns. 'Minha mãe é brincalhão' is incorrect.

Correto: A minha mãe é brincalhona.

Errado: Ele gosta de brincalhão. Correto: Ele gosta de brincar.

Os meus gatos são brincalhões à noite.

By keeping these nuances in mind, you will avoid the typical pitfalls and sound more like a native speaker when describing playful behavior.
While brincalhão is a versatile word, Portuguese offers several alternatives depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Knowing these will help you enrich your vocabulary and express yourself more precisely. For instance, if someone is playful in a way that is specifically about telling jokes, you might use piadista. If someone is playful in a more energetic, boisterous way, folgazão might be appropriate.
Divertido vs Brincalhão
'Divertido' means 'fun' or 'entertaining'. A movie can be 'divertido', but only a living being (or a personified object) can be 'brincalhão'.

O filme foi divertido, mas o ator era muito brincalhão.

Engraçado vs Brincalhão
'Engraçado' is 'funny' (makes you laugh). 'Brincalhão' is 'playful' (likes to play/jest).

Ele é engraçado porque conta boas piadas; ele é brincalhão porque gosta de pregar partidas.

Jovial
A more formal word meaning cheerful and friendly, often used for older people who remain 'brincalhões'.

Apesar da idade, ele mantém um espírito jovial.

O grupo galhofeiro animou a taberna.

Ela é uma pessoa festeira e muito brincalhona.

Exploring these synonyms allows you to tailor your description to the exact type of playfulness you are observing, from the mild 'jovial' to the more intense 'galhofeiro'.

How Formal Is It?

حقيقة ممتعة

Interestingly, the word 'brinco' (earring) comes from the same root because jewelry was seen as something that 'played' with light or 'shone'.

دليل النطق

UK /bɾĩ.kɐˈʎɐ̃w̃/
US /bɾĩ.kəˈʎɐ̃ʊ̃/
The stress is on the final syllable: -hão.
يتقافى مع
valentão comilão chorão sabichão resmungão beberrão conversador campeão
أخطاء شائعة
  • Pronouncing 'lh' as a simple 'l'.
  • Failing to nasalize the 'in' or the 'ão'.
  • Stressing the first or second syllable instead of the last.
  • Pronouncing 'ão' like 'ow' without the nasal quality.
  • Confusing the 'br' sound with a softer 'b' sound.

مستوى الصعوبة

القراءة 2/5

Easy to recognize due to the common '-hão' suffix and root 'brincar'.

الكتابة 3/5

Slightly harder due to the irregular plural 'brincalhões'.

التحدث 4/5

The nasal 'ão' and 'lh' sound can be challenging for English speakers.

الاستماع 2/5

Distinctive sound makes it easy to pick out in conversation.

ماذا تتعلّم بعد ذلك

المتطلبات الأساسية

brincar cão gato muito ser

تعلّم لاحقاً

engraçado divertido piada brincadeira sorrir

متقدم

folgazão lúdico ironia sarcasmo galhofa

قواعد يجب معرفتها

Gender agreement for adjectives ending in -ão

brincalhão (m) -> brincalhona (f)

Plural formation for adjectives ending in -ão

brincalhão -> brincalhões

Adjective placement after the noun

Um rapaz brincalhão

Use of 'ser' for permanent traits

Ele é brincalhão.

Augmentative suffix -hão

Comilão, dorminhoco (related concept)

أمثلة حسب المستوى

1

O meu cão é brincalhão.

My dog is playful.

Simple adjective following the noun.

2

O bebé é muito brincalhão.

The baby is very playful.

Use of 'muito' to intensify.

3

A Maria é brincalhona.

Maria is playful.

Feminine singular form ending in -ona.

4

Eu tenho um gato brincalhão.

I have a playful cat.

Adjective modifying the direct object.

5

O meu pai não é brincalhão.

My father is not playful.

Negative sentence structure.

6

Tu és brincalhão?

Are you playful?

Interrogative sentence.

7

O urso é brincalhão.

The bear is playful.

Describing an animal.

8

Ela é uma menina brincalhona.

She is a playful girl.

Noun-adjective agreement.

1

Os meus primos são muito brincalhões.

My cousins are very playful.

Masculine plural form ending in -ões.

2

As minhas gatas são brincalhonas.

My cats are playful.

Feminine plural form ending in -onas.

3

O João era brincalhão quando era pequeno.

João was playful when he was little.

Use of Pretérito Imperfeito for past traits.

4

Ele é um rapaz brincalhão e simpático.

He is a playful and nice boy.

Connecting two adjectives with 'e'.

5

Nós somos brincalhões na escola.

We are playful at school.

First person plural agreement.

6

A sua avó ainda é muito brincalhona.

Your grandmother is still very playful.

Describing an elderly person.

7

Eles não são nada brincalhões.

They are not playful at all.

Use of 'nada' for strong negation.

8

O professor é brincalhão com os alunos.

The teacher is playful with the students.

Prepositional phrase 'com os'.

1

Ele usou um tom brincalhão para dizer a verdade.

He used a playful tone to tell the truth.

Adjective modifying an abstract noun 'tom'.

2

Apesar de ser séria, ela tem um lado brincalhão.

Despite being serious, she has a playful side.

Contrast using 'Apesar de'.

3

O espírito brincalhão dele anima a festa.

His playful spirit livens up the party.

Noun phrase as a subject.

4

É importante manter o nosso lado brincalhão.

It is important to keep our playful side.

Infinitive phrase with 'É importante'.

5

Ela respondeu de forma brincalhona.

She answered in a playful way.

Adverbial phrase 'de forma'.

6

O filme tem um argumento leve e brincalhão.

The movie has a light and playful plot.

Describing a creative work.

7

Eles criaram um ambiente brincalhão no escritório.

They created a playful environment in the office.

Direct object with an adjective.

8

Não leves a mal, ele estava só a ser brincalhão.

Don't take it badly, he was just being playful.

Idiomatic 'não leves a mal'.

1

O autor utiliza um estilo brincalhão para criticar a sociedade.

The author uses a playful style to criticize society.

Literary context.

2

Se ele fosse menos brincalhão, as pessoas levariam-no mais a sério.

If he were less playful, people would take him more seriously.

Conditional sentence (Imperfeito do Conjuntivo).

3

A campanha publicitária adotou um conceito brincalhão.

The advertising campaign adopted a playful concept.

Business/Marketing context.

4

Duvido que ele consiga deixar de ser brincalhão.

I doubt he can stop being playful.

Subjunctive mood after 'Duvido que'.

5

A sua personalidade brincalhona é a sua melhor característica.

Her playful personality is her best trait.

Possessive pronoun agreement.

6

O design da casa é moderno, mas tem toques brincalhões.

The house design is modern but has playful touches.

Plural masculine agreement with 'toques'.

7

Ele sempre foi conhecido por ser o brincalhão do grupo.

He was always known for being the joker of the group.

Used as a substantive adjective (the joker).

8

Embora o assunto fosse grave, o seu olhar era brincalhão.

Although the subject was serious, his look was playful.

Concessive clause with 'Embora'.

1

A obra de arte desafia o espetador com o seu cariz brincalhão e irónico.

The artwork challenges the viewer with its playful and ironic nature.

High-level artistic description.

2

É fascinante observar o comportamento brincalhão dos primatas.

It is fascinating to observe the playful behavior of primates.

Scientific/Observational context.

3

A narrativa é pontuada por diálogos brincalhões que suavizam o drama.

The narrative is punctuated by playful dialogues that soften the drama.

Literary analysis.

4

O político tentou desviar a pergunta com um comentário brincalhão.

The politician tried to deflect the question with a playful comment.

Political/Strategic context.

5

A sua faceta brincalhona esconde uma profunda melancolia.

His playful side hides a deep melancholy.

Psychological nuance.

6

A brisa brincalhona desarrumava as folhas pelo jardim.

The playful breeze messed up the leaves across the garden.

Personification in poetic language.

7

Não há nada de brincalhão na forma como ele gere a empresa.

There is nothing playful about the way he manages the company.

Negative structure for emphasis.

8

O uso brincalhão da linguagem é uma marca registada do autor.

The playful use of language is a trademark of the author.

Linguistic analysis.

1

A ontologia do jogo revela que o ser humano é, por natureza, brincalhão.

The ontology of play reveals that the human being is, by nature, playful.

Philosophical discourse.

2

A arquitetura rococó é amiúde descrita pelo seu espírito brincalhão e ornamentado.

Rococo architecture is often described by its playful and ornate spirit.

Art history terminology.

3

Ele maneja a ironia de forma brincalhona, quase impercetível para o leigo.

He handles irony in a playful way, almost imperceptible to the layman.

Subtle linguistic nuance.

4

A dialética entre o sério e o brincalhão estrutura toda a narrativa.

The dialectic between the serious and the playful structures the entire narrative.

Structural literary analysis.

5

O cosmos, na sua imensidão, parece por vezes regido por um acaso brincalhão.

The cosmos, in its immensity, sometimes seems governed by a playful chance.

Metaphorical/Cosmological context.

6

Sua intervenção, embora aparentemente brincalhona, continha uma crítica mordaz.

His intervention, though seemingly playful, contained a biting criticism.

Complex concessive structure.

7

A criança manifesta a sua apreensão do mundo através de um instinto brincalhão.

The child manifests their apprehension of the world through a playful instinct.

Psychological/Developmental context.

8

A efemeridade da vida convida-nos a adotar uma postura mais brincalhona perante os problemas.

The ephemerality of life invites us to adopt a more playful stance toward problems.

Existential/Poetic context.

تلازمات شائعة

espírito brincalhão
tom brincalhão
olhar brincalhão
criança brincalhona
cão brincalhão
jeito brincalhão
sorriso brincalhão
modo brincalhão
caráter brincalhão
estilo brincalhão

العبارات الشائعة

Sempre brincalhão!

— A phrase said when someone makes a joke as expected. 'Always playful!'

O João? Sempre brincalhão!

Deixa de ser brincalhão.

— A command to stop joking and be serious. 'Stop being playful.'

Agora é sério, deixa de ser brincalhão.

Ele é um grande brincalhão.

— He is a big joker/prankster.

Cuidado com ele, é um grande brincalhão.

Em tom brincalhão...

— Starting a sentence by clarifying the tone was jokey. 'In a playful tone...'

Em tom brincalhão, ela disse que ele era feio.

Muito brincalhão para a idade.

— Playful despite being old. 'Very playful for his/her age.'

O meu avô é muito brincalhão para a idade.

Aquele brincalhão!

— An exclamation referring to someone who just did something funny. 'That joker!'

Aquele brincalhão pregou-me um susto!

Lado brincalhão.

— The playful side of someone's personality.

Todos temos um lado brincalhão.

Ar brincalhão.

— A playful appearance or look.

Ele entrou na sala com um ar brincalhão.

Ser brincalhão por natureza.

— To be naturally playful.

Ele é brincalhão por natureza.

Fazer-se de brincalhão.

— To pretend to be playful or to act like a joker.

Ele faz-se de brincalhão para esconder a tristeza.

يُخلط عادةً مع

brincalhão vs brinquedo

Brinquedo is a toy (noun), brincalhão is playful (adjective).

brincalhão vs brincadeira

Brincadeira is a joke/game (noun), brincalhão is the person who does it (adjective).

brincalhão vs engraçado

Engraçado means funny, while brincalhão means playful.

تعبيرات اصطلاحية

"Brincalhão como um macaco"

— Very playful and mischievous, like a monkey.

O meu sobrinho é brincalhão como um macaco.

Informal
"Pôr-se com brincadeiras"

— To start joking or playing around (related to the adjective).

Não te ponhas com brincadeiras agora.

Informal
"Brincar com o fogo"

— To take dangerous risks (idiom using the root verb).

Estás a brincar com o fogo ao falar assim com o chefe.

Neutral
"Levar na brincadeira"

— To take something as a joke, not seriously.

Eu disse a verdade, mas ele levou na brincadeira.

Neutral
"Brincar em serviço"

— To mess around when one should be working.

Aqui ninguém brinca em serviço.

Informal
"Não estar para brincadeiras"

— To be in a very serious or bad mood.

Hoje o professor não está para brincadeiras.

Informal
"Fazer por brincadeira"

— To do something just for fun, not seriously.

Eu só disse aquilo por brincadeira.

Neutral
"Brincadeira de criança"

— Something very easy to do (child's play).

Este exame foi uma brincadeira de criança.

Neutral
"Sem brincadeiras"

— Seriously; no joking.

Sem brincadeiras, precisamos de decidir isto agora.

Neutral
"A brincar, a brincar..."

— Used to describe something that happened gradually or unexpectedly while appearing lighthearted.

A brincar, a brincar, já passaram dez anos.

Informal

سهل الخلط

brincalhão vs engraçado

Both relate to humor.

Engraçado is about making people laugh (funny). Brincalhão is about the act of playing or joking (playful).

O palhaço é engraçado; o cachorrinho é brincalhão.

brincalhão vs divertido

Both describe positive, fun things.

Divertido can describe an event (a party), while brincalhão usually describes a living being.

A festa foi divertida; o meu amigo é brincalhão.

brincalhão vs piadista

Both involve jokes.

Piadista is someone who specifically tells 'piadas' (jokes). Brincalhão is broader and includes physical play.

Ele é um piadista nato.

brincalhão vs gozeiro

Both involve mocking or joking.

Gozeiro is more about making fun of things/people, sometimes slightly negatively. Brincalhão is more innocent.

Ele é um gozeiro, está sempre a gozar com tudo.

brincalhão vs folgazão

Both mean playful/fun-loving.

Folgazão is more old-fashioned and implies someone who loves boisterous parties and leisure.

Um velho folgazão.

أنماط الجُمل

A1

O [Animal] é [brincalhão].

O gato é brincalhão.

A2

Os [Nouns] são muito [brincalhões].

Os meninos são muito brincalhões.

B1

Ele tem um [Noun] [brincalhão].

Ele tem um espírito brincalhão.

B2

Embora seja [Adjective], ele é [brincalhão].

Embora seja sério, ele é brincalhão.

C1

O [Noun] de cariz [brincalhão]...

O texto de cariz brincalhão...

C2

A dialética entre o [Adjective] e o [brincalhão]...

A dialética entre o trágico e o brincalhão...

A2

A minha [Feminine Noun] é [brincalhona].

A minha irmã é brincalhona.

B1

Respondeu de forma [brincalhona].

Respondeu de forma brincalhona.

عائلة الكلمة

الأسماء

brincadeira (joke/play)
brinquedo (toy)
brinco (earring - though etymologically distinct in usage, shares the root of 'shining/playing')
brincador (someone who plays)

الأفعال

brincar (to play/to joke)

الصفات

brincado (played)
brincável (playable)

مرتبط

divertimento
jogo
piada
graça
riso

كيفية الاستخدام

frequency

High in daily conversation and descriptions of personality.

أخطاء شائعة
  • O cão é brincalhãos. O cão é brincalhão.

    The adjective must be singular if the noun is singular.

  • Ela é muito brincalhão. Ela é muito brincalhona.

    Feminine nouns require the feminine form of the adjective.

  • Eles são brincalhãos. Eles são brincalhões.

    The plural of words ending in -ão is often -ões.

  • Eu gosto de brincalhão. Eu gosto de brincar.

    You use the verb 'brincar' for the action, not the adjective.

  • Ele é um homem engraçado (meaning playful). Ele é um homem brincalhão.

    Engraçado means funny, brincalhão means playful.

نصائح

Plural Mastery

Don't say 'brincalhãos'. The correct plural is 'brincalhões'. This is a common pattern for many Portuguese words ending in -ão, like 'leão' (leões) and 'campeão' (campeões).

Pet Descriptions

If you are adopting a pet in a Portuguese-speaking country, 'brincalhão' is a key word to look for in descriptions. It means the animal is active and friendly.

Tone Matters

You can use 'num tom brincalhão' to describe how someone said something that might otherwise be offensive. It helps clarify that it was a joke.

Nasal Power

Practice the nasal 'ão' by holding your nose and trying to say the word. If the sound changes significantly, you're on the right track!

Brincalhão vs. Engraçado

Remember: 'Brincalhão' is about the spirit of play. 'Engraçado' is about the result of laughter. A 'brincalhão' might not always be 'engraçado', but they always want to play.

Breaking the Ice

Calling yourself 'um pouco brincalhão' can be a great way to show you are friendly and approachable when meeting new Portuguese speakers.

Suffix Knowledge

The '-hão' suffix often adds a sense of 'a person who does X a lot'. Knowing this helps you understand words like 'comilão' (big eater) or 'dorminhoco' (big sleeper).

Regional Nuance

In Brazil, 'brincalhão' is very common. In Portugal, you might also hear 'gozeiro' for someone who jokes around by making fun of things.

Visual Link

Associate 'brincalhão' with 'brinquedo' (toy). A brincalhão person is someone who treats life like a brinquedo.

Gender Check

Always match the adjective to the subject. 'A Maria é brincalhona'—never 'A Maria é brincalhão'.

احفظها

وسيلة تذكّر

Think of a 'Brin-cal-hão' as someone who brings ('brin') a 'call' ('cal') for 'fun' ('hão' - sounds a bit like 'ha ha').

ربط بصري

Imagine a colorful clown ('brincalhão') playing with a dog in a park.

Word Web

brincar brincadeira brinquedo piada riso diversão jovial engraçado

تحدٍّ

Try to describe three people in your life using 'brincalhão' or 'brincalhona' in a complete sentence.

أصل الكلمة

From the Portuguese verb 'brincar', which comes from the Vulgar Latin 'vinculare' (to bind/link), which later evolved in the sense of 'to move quickly' or 'to shine' before settling on 'to play'.

المعنى الأصلي: The suffix '-hão' is an augmentative in Portuguese, often used to create nouns or adjectives describing a person who does an action habitually (like 'comilão' for someone who eats a lot).

Romance (Indo-European).

السياق الثقافي

Be careful not to call someone 'brincalhão' if they are trying to be serious about a tragic topic, as it might imply they are being flippant.

The English equivalent 'playful' is close, but 'brincalhão' often carries a stronger sense of being a 'joker' or 'prankster' as well.

The character 'Puck' from Shakespeare's Midsummer Night's Dream would be described as 'brincalhão' in Portuguese translations. Many Brazilian 'crônicas' (short stories) feature the 'brincalhão' as a central figure of the neighborhood. The 'Zé Povinho', a famous Portuguese satirical character, has a 'brincalhão' yet critical spirit.

تدرّب في الحياة الواقعية

سياقات واقعية

Describing Pets

  • O meu cão é brincalhão.
  • Um gato muito brincalhão.
  • Ele é brincalhão com a bola.
  • Procura-se animal brincalhão.

Social Gatherings

  • Ele é o brincalhão da festa.
  • Sempre num tom brincalhão.
  • Não sejas tão brincalhão.
  • Um grupo brincalhão.

Childhood Memories

  • Eu era muito brincalhão.
  • Éramos crianças brincalhonas.
  • O meu irmão era o mais brincalhão.
  • Lembro-me do seu jeito brincalhão.

Work Environment

  • Um colega brincalhão.
  • O chefe é brincalhão.
  • Ambiente leve e brincalhão.
  • Trabalho, mas também sou brincalhão.

Literature/Art

  • Um estilo brincalhão.
  • A personagem brincalhona.
  • Uma obra de cariz brincalhão.
  • O autor é muito brincalhão.

بدايات محادثة

"Eras um miúdo brincalhão quando eras pequeno?"

"Quem é a pessoa mais brincalhona que conheces?"

"Preferes cães calmos ou cães brincalhões?"

"Achas que é possível ser brincalhão num contexto de trabalho sério?"

"Qual foi a última vez que alguém foi brincalhão contigo?"

مواضيع للكتابة اليومية

Descreve um momento em que o teu lado brincalhão ajudou a resolver uma situação difícil.

Escreve sobre o animal mais brincalhão que já tiveste ou viste.

Como é que a sociedade vê uma pessoa brincalhona? É algo positivo ou negativo?

Descreve um amigo teu que seja muito brincalhão e conta uma história sobre ele.

Pensas que as pessoas se tornam menos brincalhonas à medida que envelhecem? Porquê?

الأسئلة الشائعة

10 أسئلة

Yes, usually it is a compliment. It means the person is fun to be around and has a good sense of humor. However, if said in a serious situation, it might imply the person is not being serious enough.

No, you must use the feminine form 'brincalhona'. For example: 'Ela é muito brincalhona'.

The plural is 'brincalhões' for masculine/mixed groups and 'brincalhonas' for feminine groups.

You can still use 'brincalhão' for things if you are personifying them, like 'um vento brincalhão' (a playful wind). Otherwise, 'divertido' might be better.

Not exactly. 'Engraçado' is funny. 'Brincalhão' is playful. A dog is usually brincalhão, but a joke is engraçada.

Yes, it is used in all Portuguese-speaking countries with the same meaning.

Yes, it can. 'Ele é um brincalhão' means 'He is a joker'.

The root verb is 'brincar', which means 'to play'.

It is mostly neutral to informal. In very formal writing, you might use 'jovial' or 'lúdico'.

It is a nasal sound. Imagine saying 'h-ow' but sending the air through your nose.

اختبر نفسك 107 أسئلة

writing

Write a sentence describing a playful dog.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
writing

Translate: 'My sister is very playful.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
writing

Write the plural of 'um rapaz brincalhão'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
writing

Use 'brincalhão' in a sentence about a teacher.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
writing

Translate: 'They (m) are playful.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
writing

Write a sentence using 'espírito brincalhão'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
speaking

Say 'brincalhão' out loud, focusing on the nasal 'ão'.

Read this aloud:

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
speaking

Say 'A minha gata é brincalhona'.

Read this aloud:

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
listening

Listen to the word and identify if it is masculine or feminine: 'brincalhona'.

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
listening

Listen to the sentence: 'Os meninos são brincalhões.' Is it singular or plural?

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:

/ 107 correct

Perfect score!

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