In 15 Seconds
- A versatile way to say 'Cool' or 'Awesome' in Brazil.
- Used to show enthusiastic agreement or approval of an idea.
- Short for 'Show de bola', referencing a great soccer play.
Meaning
Think of it as the ultimate thumbs-up. It is a super common way to say 'Cool!', 'Awesome!', or 'Great!' when you agree with something or like an idea.
Key Examples
3 of 6Confirming plans with a friend
Combinado, nos vemos às oito. Show!
Deal, see you at eight. Cool!
Reacting to a promotion
Você foi promovido? Que show, parabéns!
You got promoted? That's awesome, congrats!
A colleague finishes a task early
Já terminou o relatório? Show de bola!
Finished the report already? Great job!
Cultural Background
The phrase reflects Brazil's deep-rooted love for spectacle and football. 'Show de bola' originally referred to a brilliant play on the pitch, eventually shortening to just 'show' for anything excellent in daily life.
The Thumbs Up Combo
In Brazil, 'Show!' is almost always accompanied by a physical thumbs-up. Doing both makes you look like a local.
Don't over-pronounce the 'W'
Brazilians pronounce it like 'shoo' (rhymes with 'low' but with a shorter 'u' sound at the end). Don't say it like the English word 'shoe'.
In 15 Seconds
- A versatile way to say 'Cool' or 'Awesome' in Brazil.
- Used to show enthusiastic agreement or approval of an idea.
- Short for 'Show de bola', referencing a great soccer play.
What It Means
Show is one of the most versatile words in the Brazilian vocabulary. While it literally means a musical performance, in daily life, it functions as a high-energy adjective. When you say Show!, you are telling the other person that their idea, news, or presence is fantastic. It is the verbal equivalent of a high-five. It conveys enthusiasm, approval, and a positive vibe all at once.
How To Use It
You can use it as a standalone exclamation or as an adjective. If a friend suggests going for pizza, you just say Show!. If you want to describe a movie you just watched, you can say O filme foi show. It is incredibly flexible. You don't need to worry about complex grammar or conjugations here. Just drop it into the conversation whenever you feel a spark of excitement. It is the Swiss Army knife of Brazilian social approval.
When To Use It
Use it constantly in casual settings. It is perfect for texting when someone sends you good news. Use it at a restaurant when the waiter brings a particularly delicious-looking plate. It is great for confirming plans. If someone says, "I'll pick you up at 8 PM," replying with Show! sounds much more natural and friendly than a stiff Ok. It shows you are actually happy about the plan, not just acknowledging it.
When NOT To Use It
Avoid using it in very solemn or tragic situations. If someone tells you their car broke down, saying Show! would be a disaster. Also, keep it out of highly formal academic writing or legal documents. While it is used in offices, don't use it with a CEO you've never met. It might make you seem a bit too relaxed. You want to sound enthusiastic, not like you're perpetually at a beach party.
Cultural Background
This expression took off in the late 20th century, likely influenced by the glamor of big musical 'shows'. Brazilians love music and spectacle, so calling something a show became the ultimate compliment. It captures the 'joy of living' that is so central to Brazilian culture. It has evolved into several variations, but the core remains the same: life is better when it's a performance worth watching.
Common Variations
You will often hear Show de bola!. This literally means 'Show of the ball,' originating from great football (soccer) plays. It's even more emphatic than just Show!. You might also hear Showzaço when something is truly epic. In the South, people might say Tri show, adding the local 'tri' prefix for extra emphasis. No matter the variation, the energy remains 100% positive.
Usage Notes
Mainly used in Brazil. It's very informal but widely accepted in most social circles. Avoid in formal writing or when speaking to someone of much higher authority in a stiff setting.
The Thumbs Up Combo
In Brazil, 'Show!' is almost always accompanied by a physical thumbs-up. Doing both makes you look like a local.
Don't over-pronounce the 'W'
Brazilians pronounce it like 'shoo' (rhymes with 'low' but with a shorter 'u' sound at the end). Don't say it like the English word 'shoe'.
The 'Bola' Secret
If you use 'Show de bola', you are referencing Brazil's football soul. It's a subtle way to show you understand the culture's passions.
Examples
6Combinado, nos vemos às oito. Show!
Deal, see you at eight. Cool!
A very common way to end a conversation about plans.
Você foi promovido? Que show, parabéns!
You got promoted? That's awesome, congrats!
Used here as a noun/adjective to describe the news.
Já terminou o relatório? Show de bola!
Finished the report already? Great job!
The full version 'show de bola' adds a bit more punch.
A festa ontem foi show, hein?
The party yesterday was great, right?
Commonly used in texts to recap a fun event.
Um açaí com granola? Show, eu quero!
Açaí with granola? Awesome, I want that!
Expressing excitement for a simple pleasure.
Você derrubou o sorvete? Show, nota dez.
You dropped the ice cream? Great, ten out of ten.
Brazilians love using 'show' sarcastically when things go wrong.
Test Yourself
Your friend says they bought tickets for a concert. Choose the most natural reaction.
Comprei os ingressos! ___!
Since buying concert tickets is good news, 'Show!' is the perfect enthusiastic response.
Complete the sentence to say the trip was awesome.
A viagem foi ___ de bola.
'Show de bola' is the complete idiomatic expression for something excellent.
🎉 Score: /2
Visual Learning Aids
Formality of 'Show!'
Slang with close friends
Showzaço!
Daily casual talk
Show!
Workplace with peers
Show de bola.
Legal or official
Excelente (Avoid Show)
When to drop a 'Show!'
Confirming a date
Te vejo lá!
Seeing a nice car
Que carro show!
Good news
Passei na prova!
Agreeing on food
Pizza hoje?
Practice Bank
2 exercisesComprei os ingressos! ___!
Since buying concert tickets is good news, 'Show!' is the perfect enthusiastic response.
A viagem foi ___ de bola.
'Show de bola' is the complete idiomatic expression for something excellent.
🎉 Score: /2
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes, it does! But as an expression, it means 'Great' or 'Cool'. If you say O show foi show, you're saying 'The concert was awesome'.
Generally, yes, if the vibe is casual. It's common between colleagues, like Show, recebi seu e-mail (Great, I received your email).
Yes! You can say Ele é um cara show (He is a great guy). It means he is cool or reliable.
Legal is standard 'cool'. Show is slightly more enthusiastic and energetic.
A little bit, but it's still widely used. Younger people might just say Show or Massa, but Show de bola is a classic.
It sounds like 'sh-oh-oo'. The 'w' at the end is pronounced like a soft 'u' in Portuguese.
It is much more common in Brazil. In Portugal, they might prefer Fixe or Espetáculo.
It's on the border between informal language and slang. It's safe for 90% of daily interactions.
You can say Showzaço or Muito show. Brazilians love adding suffixes to make things bigger.
Absolutely. If it starts raining when you're at the beach, you might mutter Show... with a sigh.
Related Phrases
Legal
Cool / Nice
Massa
Awesome (very common in Northeast Brazil)
Top
Great / High quality (modern slang)
Beleza
Alright / Everything's good
