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A2 noun #7,000 most common 10 min read

porcaria!

Top 7,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips porcaria! in 30 Seconds

Explanation porcaria! in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should learn 'porcaria' primarily as a noun meaning 'trash' or 'junk'. It is a useful word to describe things that are broken or of very low quality. You might see it in simple sentences like 'Isso é uma porcaria' (That is junk). At this stage, focus on the physical meaning: things you would throw in the bin. It helps you build a basic vocabulary for describing objects around the house. You don't need to worry about the complex emotional nuances yet; just know that if something is 'porcaria', it is not good. It is often one of the first 'expressive' words students learn because it allows them to express a negative opinion simply. Remember that it is a feminine noun, so it always takes 'a' or 'uma'.

At the A2 level, you begin to use 'porcaria!' as an exclamation. This is where the word becomes truly functional in conversation. You use it when you make a mistake, like dropping your phone or missing a turn while driving. You also start using it to describe abstract things, such as 'junk food' (comida porcaria) or a 'bad movie' (filme porcaria). This level is about expanding the word's use from literal trash to figurative disappointment. You should be able to recognize it in daily speech and understand that the speaker is annoyed. It's a key part of sounding more like a native speaker and less like a textbook, as it shows you can express basic human emotions like frustration in a culturally appropriate way.

By B1, you should be comfortable using 'porcaria' in various grammatical structures. You can use it to criticize someone's actions subtly, such as 'Ele fez uma porcaria de trabalho' (He did a rubbish job). You also begin to understand the social boundaries of the word—knowing that it's okay with friends but perhaps not with a new boss. At this stage, you should also learn related expressions like 'fazer porcaria' (to mess up). You can differentiate between 'porcaria' and stronger words like 'merda' or milder ones like 'droga'. Your usage becomes more nuanced, reflecting the specific type of 'badness' you are encountering. You might also start using the plural 'porcarias' to refer to a collection of unhealthy snacks or useless trinkets.

At the B2 level, 'porcaria' is used with more stylistic flair. You might use it in ironic or sarcastic ways. You understand its role in cultural commentary—for example, when a critic calls a popular TV show a 'porcaria'. You are also aware of regional differences, such as how the word might be perceived slightly differently in Lisbon versus São Paulo. You can use the word to add emphasis to your speech, often pairing it with specific adjectives or using it in longer, more complex sentences to express deep dissatisfaction with a system or a situation. Your intonation when saying the word reflects a wider range of emotions, from mild amusement at a mess to genuine anger at a failure.

At the C1 level, you have a near-native grasp of 'porcaria'. You understand its etymological roots and how it relates to other 'pig-based' metaphors in Portuguese. You can use it in writing to create a specific tone—perhaps a colloquial, 'man-of-the-people' vibe in an opinion piece. You are familiar with idiomatic expressions that use the word and can deploy them effortlessly. You also understand the 'euphemistic' power of the word, using it to avoid harsher profanity while still conveying a strong message. You can analyze the use of the word in literature or film to understand a character's social standing or emotional state. At this level, the word is just one tool in a vast kit of expressive Portuguese.

At the C2 level, your understanding of 'porcaria' is exhaustive. You are aware of its historical development from the Latin 'porcus' and its linguistic cousins in other Romance languages. You can use the word in high-level linguistic play, puns, or complex metaphors. You understand the subtle sociolinguistic implications of a politician using the word in an interview versus a comedian using it on stage. You can navigate the most delicate social situations, knowing exactly when 'porcaria' is the perfect word to build rapport or when it would be a strategic mistake. You are essentially indistinguishable from a native speaker in your use and comprehension of this word and all its varied shades of meaning.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

porcaria! in 30 Seconds

Porcaria means rubbish, junk, or a mess.
It is used as a mild exclamation of frustration like 'Darn it!'.
It comes from the word 'porco' (pig), implying filth.
It is common in casual speech but slightly rude in formal settings.

The Portuguese word porcaria is a versatile term that primarily translates to 'rubbish', 'trash', or 'junk' in English. However, its most common usage in daily life, especially at the CEFR A2 level, is as an exclamation of frustration. Imagine you are trying to fix a leaky faucet and the wrench slips, or you miss your bus by just a few seconds; in these moments, a Portuguese speaker might shout 'Porcaria!'. It functions similarly to 'Darn it!', 'Crap!', or 'Shoot!' in English. It is derived from the word porco (pig), suggesting something that is messy, dirty, or generally of poor quality, much like a pigsty.

Literal Meaning: A collection of filth, or something made poorly. It refers to the physical state of being dirty or the abstract state of being useless.
Emotional Register: It is considered a mild profanity or a 'soft' swear word. It is safe enough to use in most casual social settings but might be avoided in very formal business meetings or when speaking to very traditional elders.

Ah, porcaria! Esqueci as minhas chaves dentro do carro de novo.

Translation: Oh, darn it! I forgot my keys inside the car again.

Beyond the exclamation, porcaria is used to describe objects of low value. If you buy a cheap umbrella that breaks during the first storm, you would call it a porcaria. It implies that the item is not just broken, but fundamentally 'junk'. In Brazil and Portugal, this word is ubiquitous because it fills the gap between the very polite 'que pena' (what a pity) and the much harsher, vulgar 'merda' (sh*t). It allows the speaker to express genuine annoyance without necessarily appearing unrefined or overly aggressive.

Pare de comer essa porcaria e coma algo saudável!

Translation: Stop eating that junk and eat something healthy!

Regional Usage: In Portugal, you might hear 'que porcaria' more frequently to describe a situation, while in Brazil, 'que porcaria' and just 'porcaria!' are used interchangeably as reactions to minor accidents.

In summary, porcaria is your go-to word for everyday frustrations. It covers everything from a computer crashing to a rainy day ruining your picnic plans. It is descriptive, emotive, and essential for sounding like a natural Portuguese speaker who isn't afraid to show a little bit of 'irritação' (irritation) when things go wrong.

Using porcaria correctly involves understanding its dual role as a noun and an interjection. As a noun, it follows standard Portuguese grammar rules for feminine nouns. It is almost always preceded by an article (a, uma) or a demonstrative (esta, essa, aquela). When used as an interjection, it stands alone, often followed by an exclamation mark to denote the sudden burst of annoyance.

As a Direct Object: You can use it to describe what you are throwing away or what you are criticizing. For example: 'Jogue essa porcaria fora' (Throw that junk away).

Este computador é uma porcaria; ele trava o tempo todo.

Translation: This computer is a piece of junk; it freezes all the time.

One of the most common sentence patterns for learners is the 'Que + porcaria!' construction. The word 'que' here acts as an intensifier, similar to 'What a...' in English. 'Que porcaria!' translates to 'What a mess!' or 'What rubbish!'. This can be applied to a physical mess, like a room that hasn't been cleaned, or a metaphorical mess, like a poorly organized event or a bad movie plot.

Eu não entendo nada desta porcaria de manual.

Translation: I don't understand anything in this crappy manual.

Common Verb Pairings: Commonly paired with verbs like 'fazer' (to make/do), 'dizer' (to say), and 'comer' (to eat). 'Fazer porcaria' means to mess up or do something badly.

When you want to describe someone's work as being of low quality, you can say 'Ele só faz porcaria' (He only does rubbish work). This is quite critical, so use it with caution depending on who you are talking to. In a more lighthearted way, parents often tell children 'Não faça porcaria!' when they are playing with food or making a mess in the house.

In the real world, porcaria is heard everywhere from the dinner table to the soccer stadium. It is the quintessential 'safe' frustration word. If you are watching a soccer match and the referee makes a bad call, the stadium will erupt with various words, but porcaria is what you'd hear from the families in the stands who are trying to keep their language somewhat clean for the children. It is the sound of everyday life's minor inconveniences.

O sinal de internet está uma porcaria hoje.

Translation: The internet signal is rubbish today.

You will also hear it frequently in the context of health and nutrition. Doctors and nutritionists in Brazil often refer to highly processed foods as 'essas porcarias' (these pieces of junk). It carries a moral weight of 'unhealthy' or 'unnecessary'. When a mother sees her child eating candy before dinner, she might say, 'Pare de comer porcaria!' This isn't just about the mess; it's about the lack of nutritional value.

In television dramas (telenovelas), characters use porcaria to dismiss an idea or a person's behavior without triggering the censorship rules that apply to stronger swear words. If a character is being lied to, they might exclaim, 'Não me venha com essa porcaria de desculpa!' (Don't come to me with that rubbish excuse!). This makes the word extremely useful for learners who want to express strong feelings without the risk of being truly offensive.

Workplace Usage: While not professional, colleagues often use it among themselves to complain about a broken printer or a poorly written report. 'Este relatório é uma porcaria' is a common, if blunt, sentiment in casual office environments.

Nossa, que porcaria de tempo! Não para de chover.

Translation: Wow, what rubbish weather! It doesn't stop raining.

Finally, you will find it in literature and news commentary when writers want to emphasize the 'trashy' nature of a certain cultural trend or a piece of legislation they find beneath contempt. It is a word that spans the entire social spectrum, from the street to the academy, always maintaining its core sense of 'this is not good enough'.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make is overestimating the 'offensiveness' of porcaria. Because it is often translated as 'crap', learners might fear it is too vulgar for polite company. In reality, it is much milder than 'crap' can be in some English dialects. However, the opposite mistake is also common: using it in a formal presentation. You should never say 'Este projeto é uma porcaria' to your boss unless you have a very close, informal relationship.

Confusion with 'Sujeira': Learners often confuse 'porcaria' with 'sujeira' (dirt). While 'porcaria' can mean a mess, 'sujeira' is the literal word for dust, mud, or grime. Use 'sujeira' for the physical substance and 'porcaria' for the quality or the annoyance.

Errado: O chão está cheio de porcaria (unless referring to trash). Certo: O chão está cheio de sujeira.

Note: Use 'sujeira' for literal dirt/dust.

Another error is the misplacement of the word in a sentence. Since it can be an exclamation, learners sometimes drop it into sentences where an adjective would be better. For example, instead of saying 'Este carro é porcaria', you should say 'Este carro é uma porcaria'. The article 'uma' is crucial when using it as a predicate nominative to describe a noun.

Gender agreement is also a sticking point. Even if you are talking about a masculine object, like 'um relógio' (a watch), the word porcaria remains feminine. You would say 'Este relógio é uma porcaria', not 'um porcaria'. The noun porcaria does not change its gender based on what it is describing.

Regional Missteps: In some regions of Portugal, 'porcaria' might be used more literally for 'filth' than in Brazil, where the figurative 'rubbish' meaning dominates. Context is key to avoiding sounding too literal or too figurative.

Errado: Ele é um porcaria. Certo: Ele é uma porcaria (de pessoa).

Note: Always use the feminine 'uma' with 'porcaria'.

Lastly, avoid using it as a direct translation for 'trash' when referring to the waste management system. If you are looking for the 'trash can', ask for the 'lixo', not the 'porcaria'. Using 'porcaria' in that context makes it sound like you are personally offended by the bin itself!

Portuguese has a rich vocabulary for expressing dissatisfaction. Depending on the level of intensity you want to convey, you might choose a different word than porcaria. If you want to be more polite, especially around children or in a professional setting, you might use 'droga' (literally 'drug', but used as 'darn').

Droga vs. Porcaria: 'Droga' is slightly more socially acceptable as an exclamation. 'Porcaria' is more descriptive of quality. You say 'Droga!' when you trip, but you say 'Que porcaria de sapato!' when the shoe breaks.
Lixo vs. Porcaria: 'Lixo' is the literal word for garbage. Calling something 'um lixo' is much harsher than 'uma porcaria'. 'Este filme é um lixo' means it has zero value, whereas 'uma porcaria' might just mean it was poorly made.

Não aguento mais essa tranqueira velha!

Note: 'Tranqueira' is a great Brazilian alternative for physical junk.

In Brazil, you will often hear tranqueira or tranqueira to describe physical junk or old, useless objects taking up space. It is more specific to objects and less used as a general exclamation of annoyance. Another alternative is caria (a shortened, very informal version used in some dialects) or puxa (a very polite 'wow' or 'darn').

Que chatice! Tenho que trabalhar no sábado.

Note: 'Chatice' is used specifically for something boring or annoying.

If you are feeling particularly frustrated and 'porcaria' isn't strong enough, the next step up is 'merda'. However, be warned: this is a significant jump in vulgarity. For a learner at the A2 level, sticking with porcaria and droga is the safest way to sound natural without accidentally offending your conversation partners.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

While 'porco' is just an animal, calling a person 'porco' is a strong insult, but calling their work 'porcaria' is a common critique of quality.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /pɔɾ.kɐ.ˈɾi.ɐ/

US /poʊr.kɑ.ˈri.ə/

The stress is on the penultimate syllable 'ri' (por-ca-RI-a).

Rhymes With

alegria dia bacia padaria melancia sabedoria teoria energia

Common Errors

Stressing the first syllable (POR-ca-ria).
Pronouncing the 'r' too strongly like an English 'r'.
Making the final 'a' too long.
Forgetting to tap the 'r' between vowels.
Pronouncing 'ca' as 'sa'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize in text, usually surrounded by exclamation marks or negative adjectives.

Writing 3/5

Requires understanding that it is always feminine regardless of the object it describes.

Speaking 2/5

Simple pronunciation, though the tapped 'r' requires some practice for English speakers.

Listening 2/5

Very easy to hear because it is often shouted or emphasized with emotion.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

porco lixo ruim que coisa

Learn Next

droga bagunça tranqueira sujeira puxa

Advanced

imundície espurco detrito excrescência balela

Grammar to Know

Nouns as Adjectives

In 'filme porcaria', the noun 'porcaria' acts as an adjective to describe the quality of the movie.

Feminine Noun Gender

'Porcaria' is always feminine, so you say 'uma porcaria' even if describing 'o carro' (masculine).

Exclamatory 'Que'

'Que porcaria!' uses 'que' to start an exclamation, a common pattern for expressing emotions.

Diminutives for Softening

Using 'porcariazinha' can make the criticism sound less harsh or more affectionate.

Negation with 'Porcaria Nenhuma'

Using 'porcaria nenhuma' at the end of a sentence reinforces a total lack of something.

Examples by Level

Esta caneta é uma porcaria.

This pen is a piece of junk.

Uses 'uma' because 'porcaria' is feminine.

Eu não gosto de porcaria.

I don't like junk.

Used as a general noun here.

O brinquedo é uma porcaria.

The toy is rubbish.

Describing the quality of an object.

Limpe essa porcaria!

Clean up that mess!

Imperative verb 'limpe' used with the noun.

Isso é porcaria de comer.

That is junk food.

Using 'porcaria de' to describe a category.

A mala é uma porcaria.

The suitcase is junk.

Feminine noun agreement.

Não compre essa porcaria.

Don't buy that junk.

Negative imperative.

Que porcaria de livro!

What a rubbish book!

'Que' used as an intensifier.

Porcaria! Perdi o ônibus.

Darn it! I missed the bus.

Used as a standalone exclamation.

O carro parou? Que porcaria!

The car stopped? What a pain!

Exclamatory phrase.

Essa internet é uma porcaria.

This internet is rubbish.

Common everyday complaint.

Porcaria! Esqueci minha carteira.

Shoot! I forgot my wallet.

Reaction to a minor mistake.

Não coma tanta porcaria.

Don't eat so much junk.

Referring to unhealthy food.

Que porcaria de tempo hoje!

What awful weather today!

Describing a situation.

O filme foi uma porcaria.

The movie was rubbish.

Past tense 'foi' describing an experience.

Porcaria, quebrei o copo!

Darn it, I broke the glass!

Reaction to an accident.

Ele sempre faz porcaria quando está com pressa.

He always messes up when he is in a hurry.

Verb 'fazer' + 'porcaria' meaning 'to mess up'.

Não aguento mais essa porcaria de rádio.

I can't stand this crappy radio anymore.

Expressing strong annoyance with 'não aguento'.

Tire essas porcarias da mesa.

Take these pieces of junk off the table.

Plural form 'porcarias'.

O serviço naquele restaurante é uma porcaria.

The service in that restaurant is rubbish.

Criticizing a service.

Porcaria! O computador travou de novo.

Darn it! The computer froze again.

Frequency indicated by 'de novo'.

Pare de dizer porcaria e fale a verdade.

Stop saying rubbish and tell the truth.

'Dizer porcaria' meaning to talk nonsense.

Essa porcaria de chave não abre a porta.

This crappy key won't open the door.

Noun adjunct usage.

Eu só compro porcaria, preciso de coisas melhores.

I only buy junk, I need better things.

Self-criticism.

A política atual está uma verdadeira porcaria.

Current politics is a real mess.

Using 'verdadeira' to intensify the noun.

Não me venha com essa porcaria de desculpa esfarrapada.

Don't come to me with that rubbish, flimsy excuse.

Compound criticism.

O plano era uma porcaria, por isso falhou.

The plan was rubbish, that's why it failed.

Causal sentence structure.

Ele gasta todo o seu dinheiro em porcarias inúteis.

He spends all his money on useless junk.

Noun + adjective 'inúteis'.

Que porcaria! Justo agora que eu ia sair.

Darn it! Right now that I was about to go out.

Expressing frustration at timing.

A qualidade do som está uma porcaria absoluta.

The sound quality is an absolute mess.

'Absoluta' as an intensifier.

Eu não vou assinar essa porcaria de contrato.

I am not going to sign this crappy contract.

Strong rejection.

Sempre que ele tenta consertar algo, faz uma porcaria.

Whenever he tries to fix something, he makes a mess.

Conditional/frequentative structure.

A crítica detonou o livro, chamando-o de porcaria pretensiosa.

The review blasted the book, calling it pretentious rubbish.

Literary/Academic context.

É uma porcaria que tenhamos que passar por isso novamente.

It's a crying shame (rubbish) that we have to go through this again.

Abstract usage for a situation.

O debate transformou-se numa porcaria de ataques pessoais.

The debate turned into a mess of personal attacks.

Metaphorical mess.

Não vale a pena perder tempo com essa porcaria de assunto.

It's not worth wasting time on this rubbish subject.

Dismissive register.

Porcaria! Como pude ser tão negligente?

Darn it! How could I have been so negligent?

Self-reflective frustration.

A infraestrutura da cidade está uma porcaria generalizada.

The city's infrastructure is a widespread mess.

Formal/Sociological context.

Eles vendem qualquer porcaria para lucrar rápido.

They sell any old junk to make a quick profit.

Using 'qualquer' to show lack of care.

Que porcaria de vida, sempre a mesma rotina!

What a rubbish life, always the same routine!

Existential frustration.

A obra, embora aclamada, não passa de uma porcaria comercial.

The work, though acclaimed, is nothing more than commercial rubbish.

Highly critical, sophisticated register.

Porcaria! O destino parece zombar dos meus esforços.

Darn it! Fate seems to mock my efforts.

Poetic/Dramatic usage.

Reduzir a complexidade do ser humano a essa porcaria de estatística é um erro.

Reducing human complexity to this rubbish statistic is a mistake.

Philosophical/Analytical context.

A gestão transformou uma empresa sólida nesta porcaria deficitária.

The management turned a solid company into this loss-making mess.

Corporate/Economic context.

Não me venha com porcarias sentimentais; quero fatos.

Don't come to me with sentimental rubbish; I want facts.

Dismissing emotional arguments.

O roteiro é uma porcaria tão grande que beira o cômico.

The script is such a big mess that it borders on the comical.

Comparative/Superlative sense.

Porcaria de sistema que oprime em vez de libertar!

Rubbish system that oppresses instead of liberating!

Political exclamation.

Toda essa porcaria burocrática impede o progresso real.

All this bureaucratic rubbish prevents real progress.

Attributive noun phrase.

Synonyms

lixo droga tranqueira asneira porcariazinha sujeira cochonnerie trambolho

Antonyms

maravilha excelência limpeza utilidade

Common Collocations

uma porcaria

que porcaria

comer porcaria

fazer porcaria

porcaria de...

cheio de porcaria

qualquer porcaria

uma porcaria absoluta

vender porcaria

jogar porcaria fora

Common Phrases

Não vale uma porcaria.

— It isn't worth a thing. Used to describe something totally worthless.

Essa sua ideia não vale uma porcaria.

Falar porcaria.

— To talk nonsense or say things that are untrue or offensive.

Ele está apenas falando porcaria, não acredite.

Só faz porcaria.

— Used to describe someone who is incompetent or always messes up.

Aquele mecânico só faz porcaria no meu carro.

Que porcaria é essa?

— What on earth is this? Used when encountering something strange or bad.

Que porcaria é essa no meio da sala?

Deixa de porcaria.

— Stop being silly or stop doing bad things.

Deixa de porcaria e senta logo para estudar.

Porcaria nenhuma.

— Absolutely nothing or not at all. Used for strong negation.

Eu não entendi porcaria nenhuma do que ele disse.

Uma porcaria só.

— A total mess. Used when everything in a situation is bad.

A festa foi uma porcaria só.

Cheio de porcarias.

— Full of junk or unhealthy things.

O armário está cheio de porcarias velhas.

Porcaria de vida!

— What a miserable life! A common expression of self-pity.

Trabalhar dez horas por dia... que porcaria de vida!

Tirar a porcaria.

— To remove the mess or the junk.

Vamos tirar toda essa porcaria daqui antes que os convidados cheguem.

Often Confused With

porcaria! vs sujeira

Sujeira is literal dirt (dust, mud), while porcaria is junk or a mess/annoyance.

porcaria! vs lixo

Lixo is garbage you throw away; porcaria is more about the poor quality or the feeling of annoyance.

porcaria! vs droga

Droga is mostly an exclamation (Darn!), while porcaria can be both an exclamation and a noun for junk.

Idioms & Expressions

"Saber porcaria nenhuma"

— To know absolutely nothing about a subject.

Ele fala de economia, mas sabe porcaria nenhuma.

informal

"Fazer uma porcaria"

— To perform a task very poorly or create a mess.

Eu tentei pintar a parede, mas fiz uma porcaria.

informal

"Comer porcaria"

— To eat junk food or unhealthy snacks.

No fim de semana, eu só como porcaria.

informal

"Vale uma porcaria"

— Used ironically to say something is worth nothing.

Este relógio falso não vale uma porcaria.

informal

"Que porcaria de..."

— Used as a prefix to complain about any noun.

Que porcaria de trânsito!

informal

"Não ver porcaria nenhuma"

— To be unable to see anything (due to darkness or obstruction).

Está tão escuro que não vejo porcaria nenhuma.

informal

"Entender porcaria nenhuma"

— To not understand a single thing.

Este manual está em chinês, não entendo porcaria nenhuma.

informal

"Uma porcaria atrás da outra"

— A series of bad events or mistakes.

Hoje é só uma porcaria atrás da outra.

informal

"Porcaria de marca"

— A brand that produces low-quality goods.

Não compre essa TV, é uma porcaria de marca.

informal

"Limpar a porcaria"

— To fix a mess someone else made (figuratively or literally).

Sempre sobra para mim limpar a porcaria que eles fazem.

informal

Easily Confused

porcaria! vs porca

Similar root.

Porca is a female pig or a 'nut' (as in nuts and bolts). Porcaria is the abstract concept of junk.

A porca (the nut) caiu na porcaria (the mess).

porcaria! vs porco

Root word.

Porco is the animal (pig) or an adjective for 'dirty'. Porcaria is the noun for 'rubbish'.

Aquele homem é um porco; ele só faz porcaria.

porcaria! vs porcalhão

Suffix similarity.

Porcalhão is an augmentative noun/adjective for a very dirty person. Porcaria is the thing itself.

O porcalhão deixou toda essa porcaria aqui.

porcaria! vs bagunça

Similar meaning (mess).

Bagunça is a mess in terms of disorganization (clothes on the floor). Porcaria is a mess in terms of quality or filth.

O quarto está uma bagunça cheia de porcaria.

porcaria! vs tranqueira

Both mean junk.

Tranqueira is specifically physical junk/clutter. Porcaria is more versatile (exclamation, quality, food).

Jogue essas tranqueiras fora, que porcaria de bagunça!

Sentence Patterns

Isso é uma porcaria.

Que porcaria!

Que porcaria! Perdi a chave.

Que porcaria de [noun]!

Que porcaria de tempo!

[Noun] está uma porcaria.

O Wi-Fi está uma porcaria.

Pare de [verb] porcaria.

Pare de comer porcaria.

Fazer uma porcaria de [noun].

Ele fez uma porcaria de trabalho.

Não vale uma porcaria.

Essa desculpa não vale uma porcaria.

[Noun] não passa de uma porcaria.

Este livro não passa de uma porcaria comercial.

Word Family

Nouns

porco (pig)

porcada (herd of pigs)

porcalhão (a very dirty person)

porcariazinha (little piece of junk)

Verbs

emporcalhar (to make something dirty)

porcar (rare/dialectal: to act like a pig)

Adjectives

porco (dirty/filthy)

porcalhão (filthy)

emporcalhado (dirtied)

chiqueiro (pigsty)

sujeira (dirt)

lixo (trash)

imundície (filth)

droga (darn)

How to Use It

frequency

Extremely high in daily spoken Portuguese.

Common Mistakes

O carro é um porcaria. → O carro é uma porcaria.
Even though 'carro' is masculine, 'porcaria' is a feminine noun and its gender never changes.
Estou com muita porcaria nas mãos. → Estou com muita sujeira nas mãos.
Use 'sujeira' for literal dirt on your body. 'Porcaria' is for junk or a bad situation.
Porcaria! Eu ganhei a loteria! → Nossa! Eu ganhei a loteria!
'Porcaria' is only for negative situations. You cannot use it for positive surprises.
O lixo da sala está uma porcaria. → A sala está uma porcaria.
This is redundant. You are saying the trash is trash. Just say the room is a mess (uma porcaria).
Ele é um homem porcaria. → Ele é uma porcaria de homem.
When using 'porcaria' to describe a person's character, the 'uma porcaria de...' construction is more natural.

Tips

Use it for Tech Troubles

Whenever your phone lags or the internet cuts out, say 'Que porcaria!'. It's the most natural context for this word in the modern world.

Always Feminine

Remember that 'porcaria' never changes gender. 'Este relógio é uma porcaria'. Never say 'um porcaria'.

Junk Food

Use 'porcaria' to refer to chips, candy, and fast food. 'Não quero comer porcaria hoje' is a very common sentence.

Safe Venting

Use 'porcaria' instead of 'merda' if you want to express anger without being truly vulgar. It's safer for learners.

Stress the 'Ri'

The stress is on the penultimate syllable: por-ca-RI-a. Getting the stress right makes the exclamation sound much more authentic.

Context Clues

If you hear someone say 'porcaria' in a store, they are likely complaining about the price or the quality of an item.

Brazilian Slang

In Brazil, you might hear 'porcaria nenhuma' to mean 'nothing at all'. 'Eu não ganhei porcaria nenhuma' (I didn't win a damn thing).

Exclamation Marks

When using it as an interjection, always use an exclamation mark to convey the emotional weight: 'Porcaria!'.

Formal Situations

Even though it's mild, don't use it with your boss or in a formal letter. Stick to 'problema' or 'falha'.

The Pig Connection

Link 'porcaria' to 'porco' (pig). Pigs live in messes, so a 'porcaria' is a mess or junk.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a 'Pork-Area'. An area where pigs (porcos) live is messy and full of junk. So, 'porcaria' is junk or a mess!

Visual Association

Imagine a pig sitting on a pile of broken electronics and old pizza boxes. That pile is 'porcaria'.

Word Web

Porco (Pig) Sujeira (Dirt) Lixo (Trash) Droga (Darn) Tranqueira (Junk) Emporcalhar (To dirty) Comida (Food - junk food) Frustração (Frustration)

Challenge

Try to use 'porcaria!' at least three times today when something minor goes wrong, like dropping a pen or waiting too long for a website to load.

Word Origin

Derived from the Portuguese word 'porco', which comes from the Latin 'porcus' (pig). The suffix '-aria' is used in Portuguese to denote a collection, a place, or a quality associated with the root word.

Original meaning: Originally referred to things related to pigs or a place where pigs are kept (a pigsty), hence the association with filth and low quality.

Romance (Latin-based).

Cultural Context

Safe for general use, but avoid in formal academic writing or high-level professional meetings unless you want to sound intentionally blunt.

Similar to 'rubbish' in British English or 'crap' in American English, but slightly more versatile and less likely to be censored on daytime TV.

Commonly heard in Brazilian 'Crônicas' (short stories) about city life. Used frequently by characters in the famous 'Turma da Mônica' comics to express frustration. A staple word in Brazilian comedy sketches (like Porta dos Fundos) to highlight absurdly bad situations.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Broken Technology

Esta porcaria não liga.
O Wi-Fi está uma porcaria.
Que porcaria de computador!
Vou jogar essa porcaria na parede.

Bad Weather

Que porcaria de chuva!
O tempo está uma porcaria.
Porcaria! Vai chover no meu feriado.
Não para de ventar, que porcaria.

Poor Service

O atendimento aqui é uma porcaria.
Que porcaria de restaurante.
Eles só fazem porcaria.
Não volto mais nessa porcaria de loja.

Junk Food

Pare de comer porcaria.
Só tem porcaria para comer aqui.
Eu adoro comer uma porcaria de vez em quando.
Comida de shopping é tudo porcaria.

Cleaning

Tire essa porcaria daqui.
Quanta porcaria você guardou!
Vou fazer uma limpa nessas porcarias.
O quarto está cheio de porcaria.

Conversation Starters

"Você já comprou algum produto que era uma verdadeira porcaria?"

"O que você faz quando a internet está uma porcaria na sua casa?"

"Você acha que os filmes de hoje são uma porcaria comparados aos antigos?"

"Qual é a sua 'porcaria' (junk food) favorita para comer no fim de semana?"

"Você já teve um carro que era uma porcaria e quebrava sempre?"

Journal Prompts

Descreva uma situação em que você gritou 'Porcaria!' porque algo deu errado.

Escreva sobre um objeto que você tem em casa e que é uma porcaria, mas você não joga fora.

Pense em um serviço (banco, internet, correios) que você considera uma porcaria e explique por quê.

Como você se sente quando come muita porcaria? Descreva o impacto na sua saúde.

Imagine que você é um crítico de cinema. Escreva uma crítica curta sobre um filme que você achou uma porcaria.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

It is a very mild swear word, similar to 'crap' or 'damn' in English. It is generally acceptable in casual conversation and on television, but you should avoid it in formal settings like job interviews or academic presentations.

Yes, but it is very insulting. Saying 'Ele é uma porcaria' means he is a worthless or very bad person. It is more common to say 'Ele é uma porcaria de [profession]', like 'Ele é uma porcaria de médico' (He is a rubbish doctor).

'Lixo' is the literal word for trash. Calling something 'um lixo' is harsher and more definitive than 'uma porcaria'. 'Porcaria' often implies frustration or low quality, whereas 'lixo' implies it should be thrown away immediately.

It is always 'uma porcaria'. The word is feminine. Even if you are talking about a masculine object like 'o carro', you say 'o carro é uma porcaria'.

You can say 'comida porcaria' or simply 'porcaria'. For example: 'Eu parei de comer porcaria' (I stopped eating junk food).

Yes, it is used in all Portuguese-speaking countries. In Portugal, it might be used slightly more often to mean literal filth, but the figurative meaning of 'rubbish' is universal.

The plural is 'porcarias'. You use it to refer to multiple items of junk or various unhealthy foods. 'Não compre tantas porcarias no mercado'.

'Droga' is slightly more polite as an exclamation. If you are in a situation where you want to be careful with your language, 'droga' is a safer choice than 'porcaria'.

Yes, etymologically it is linked to the pig. This is a common theme in Romance languages where words for 'pig' are used to describe things that are dirty or bad.

No, 'que porcaria!' is exclusively negative. It expresses annoyance, disgust, or disappointment. If you are happy, you would say 'que maravilha!' or 'que legal!'.