In 15 Sekunden
- The most common way to say 'cool' in Brazilian Portuguese.
- Used to agree, show interest, or describe a nice person.
- Perfect for casual conversations, texting, and meeting new people.
Bedeutung
It is the ultimate Portuguese word for 'cool' or 'nice'. You use it to agree with someone, show you like an idea, or describe something positive.
Wichtige Beispiele
3 von 6Reacting to a friend's plan
Vamos ao cinema amanhã? - Legal, vamos!
Shall we go to the movies tomorrow? - Cool, let's go!
Describing a new acquaintance
Conheci sua irmã, ela é muito legal.
I met your sister, she is very nice.
In a professional but relaxed meeting
Essa ideia é bem legal para o projeto.
This idea is pretty cool for the project.
Kultureller Hintergrund
Originally a strictly juridical term meaning 'according to the law', it transformed into slang in the mid-20th century. It became the definitive way to express social approval in Brazil, largely popularized by pop culture and TV. While used in Portugal too, it is quintessentially Brazilian in its frequency and warmth.
The Thumbs Up Rule
In Brazil, 'Legal' is almost always accompanied by a thumbs-up gesture. It's like a physical punctuation mark!
The 'Law' Trap
Remember that in a courtroom, 'legal' means 'lawful'. Don't tell a judge his sentence was 'legal' unless you want to sound like a confused surfer.
In 15 Sekunden
- The most common way to say 'cool' in Brazilian Portuguese.
- Used to agree, show interest, or describe a nice person.
- Perfect for casual conversations, texting, and meeting new people.
What It Means
Legal is the Swiss Army knife of Brazilian Portuguese. At its heart, it means 'cool', 'nice', or 'great'. If you like something, it is legal. If a person is friendly, they are legal. It is the go-to word for positive vibes. You will hear it dozens of times a day in Brazil.
How To Use It
Use it as a one-word reaction to almost anything good. Someone invites you to a party? Say Legal!. You see a beautiful sunset? Say Que legal!. It functions as an adjective too. You can say Ele é um cara legal to mean 'He is a nice guy'. It is incredibly flexible and easy to drop into conversation.
When To Use It
Use it when you want to show interest or agreement. It works perfectly when texting friends or chatting at a café. At a restaurant, if the waiter suggests a great dish, legal works perfectly. It shows you are engaged and positive. It is the safest word for any social interaction.
When NOT To Use It
Avoid using it in very solemn or tragic situations. If someone shares bad news, legal would be very offensive. Also, in extremely formal legal documents, it actually means 'lawful'. Don't call your boss 'legal' in a high-stakes performance review. It might feel a bit too casual for a boardroom. Stick to more professional terms like ótimo there.
Cultural Background
While it literally means 'legal' (as in the law), the slang version took over decades ago. It became a massive hit in the 1960s during the 'Jovem Guarda' musical movement. Now, it is a core part of the Brazilian identity. It reflects the laid-back, friendly nature of the culture. It is the verbal equivalent of a thumbs-up.
Common Variations
If something is really cool, you say Muito legal!. In Rio, you might hear Bacana as a stylish alternative. In the South, people use Tri legal to add extra emphasis. Young people might shorten it to just Le in texts, though that is rare. You can also use Beleza if you are specifically agreeing to a plan.
Nutzungshinweise
Highly versatile and safe for A2 learners. It sits perfectly in the neutral-informal range, making it hard to use incorrectly in social settings.
The Thumbs Up Rule
In Brazil, 'Legal' is almost always accompanied by a thumbs-up gesture. It's like a physical punctuation mark!
The 'Law' Trap
Remember that in a courtroom, 'legal' means 'lawful'. Don't tell a judge his sentence was 'legal' unless you want to sound like a confused surfer.
Regional Flavor
If you go to Porto Alegre, try saying 'Tri legal'. The 'Tri' adds extra power, like saying 'Triple cool'!
Beispiele
6Vamos ao cinema amanhã? - Legal, vamos!
Shall we go to the movies tomorrow? - Cool, let's go!
Here it acts as a confirmation and shows enthusiasm.
Conheci sua irmã, ela é muito legal.
I met your sister, she is very nice.
Used as an adjective to describe personality.
Essa ideia é bem legal para o projeto.
This idea is pretty cool for the project.
Softens the professional tone to build rapport.
Legal! Vejo vocês lá.
Cool! See you guys there.
Short, punchy, and perfect for digital communication.
Você sabia que pinguins têm joelhos? - Ah, legal... eu acho.
Did you know penguins have knees? - Oh, cool... I guess.
Can be used slightly sarcastically or for 'fun facts'.
Que legal que você veio me visitar!
How cool that you came to visit me!
Adding 'Que' makes it an exclamation of joy.
Teste dich selbst
Choose the best response to: 'Eu comprei um carro novo!'
___! Parabéns pelo carro!
Since buying a new car is a positive event, 'Legal' is the perfect enthusiastic response.
Complete the sentence describing a friendly person.
O professor de português é muito ___.
'Legal' is used as an adjective here to mean 'nice' or 'cool'.
🎉 Ergebnis: /2
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Formality Scale of 'Legal'
Used by teens in texts
Mto le!
Everyday talk with friends
Legal, cara!
Standard social interactions
Isso é legal.
Strictly means 'Lawful'
Dentro dos termos legais.
Where to use 'Legal'
At a Concert
O show foi legal!
Dinner Party
A comida está legal.
Legal 👍
Meeting Someone
Muito legal te conhecer.
Aufgabensammlung
2 Aufgaben___! Parabéns pelo carro!
Since buying a new car is a positive event, 'Legal' is the perfect enthusiastic response.
O professor de português é muito ___.
'Legal' is used as an adjective here to mean 'nice' or 'cool'.
🎉 Ergebnis: /2
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenMostly yes in conversation, but its original meaning is 'lawful' or 'related to the law'. Context is everything!
Yes, if your workplace is casual. It’s better to use ótimo or excelente if the environment is very strict.
Absolutely! Ele é legal means 'He is a nice/cool guy'. It's a very common way to describe someone's personality.
They are synonyms. Bacana is slightly more 'chic' or old-school, while legal is the universal standard.
Add muito before it (muito legal) or use the exclamation Que legal! to show you're really impressed.
Yes, but it's much more common in Brazil. In Portugal, they might prefer fixe or gira for the same meaning.
It can, but it usually means the food is 'fine' or 'okay'. If the food is amazing, use delicioso or muito bom instead.
Yes, the plural is legais. For example: Eles são muito legais (They are very cool).
Yes! If someone asks 'Can we meet at 5?', you can reply Legal to mean 'Okay, sounds good'.
Using it for sad things. Even if a story is 'interesting', if it's about a tragedy, don't say legal.
Verwandte Redewendungen
Bacana
Cool / Nice (slightly more sophisticated)
Beleza
Alright / Everything's good
Joia
Great / Thumbs up (literally 'jewel')
Maneiro
Cool / Awesome (very common in Rio)
