Curitibanês: Words and Expressions You’ll Only Hear in Curitiba
Curitiba is a tesão city, piá! But hold on, don’t loki yourself into thinking the wrong thing… Here, tesão means something amazing! And since you’ve come to pousar in our city, it’s best to stay sharp, because we Curitibanos have our own special way of speaking.
To make sure you don’t look like a tongo véio when someone talks about vina, chineque, or canaleta, we’ve put together a handy guide to help you decipher the famous Curitibanês. Capaz that you’ll leave here without learning something! So, let’s dive into this vocabulary and find out why Curitiba is so special—and, of course, so tesão!
Classic Words and Expressions of Curitibanês
🔹 Vina: Here, a hot dog sausage is called vina! The term comes from the German Wiener Wurst, which was adapted into Brazilian Portuguese and became a tradition in Curitiba’s hot dogs.
🔹 Piá: Want to call a boy or a young guy? Around here, he’ll always be a piá. And if he’s a bit clueless, he might be called a "piá de prédio".
🔹 Chineque: A delicious sweet bread with a crunchy crumb topping, sometimes filled with cream, banana, or guava paste. A typical treat from Curitiba’s bakeries.
🔹 Japona: With Curitiba’s chilly weather, a japona (a thick, lined jacket) is a must-have in your wardrobe.
🔹 Vina com pão e moça com piá: If you hear this at the supermarket, don’t worry! They’re just talking about buying sausages and bread for a quick snack.
Curitibanês in Everyday Situations
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Capaz!: A versatile expression that can show surprise, disbelief, or even agreement, depending on the context.
🔹 Tesão!:
Before you get the wrong idea, here it means something amazing or awesome. Example: "This trip is tesão!"
🔹 Meu caneco!: When something surprises you, you can say "Meu caneco!", similar to "Oh my!" or "Wow!"
🔹 Largatear:
You know that little bit of winter sunshine? Curitibanos love to "largatear", meaning to soak up the sun like a lizard.
🔹 Pousar: If you’re staying over at someone’s house, here in Curitiba, you "pousa" at their place.
Curitibanês in Transportation and the City
🔹 Alimentadores: Nope, these don’t feed people. They’re the orange buses that connect neighborhoods to bus terminals.
🔹 Ligeirinho: A faster bus that only stops at main stations (the famous tubo stops).
🔹 Canaleta: Special bus lanes dedicated to Curitiba’s iconic bi-articulated buses, making public transport more efficient.
Curitibanês in Fun and Food
🔹 Béra: A fun way to refer to beer. And yes, Curitibanos love a good béra.
🔹 Queimar um osso: Don’t panic—it just means having a barbecue or grilling some meat.
🔹 Tubão: Peak Curitibano creativity—a homemade drink in a repurposed plastic bottle, popular in the city’s outskirts.
Other Expressions You Should Know Before Visiting Curitiba
🔹 Migué: A bad excuse or a lie. Example: "What a migué, piá!"
🔹 Tongo véio: A funny or playful person.
🔹 Rachar o bico: Means someone is laughing really hard.
🔹 Tá lokiando?: Used to ask if someone is confused or acting crazy.
🔹 Trincheira: Not for war—it’s just what we call an urban underpass or tunnel..
The Essence of Curitibanês
These words and expressions reflect the Curitibano way of life—practical, humorous, and with a unique regional touch. Learning Curitibanês is a fun way to connect with the city and its people, making any trip to Curitiba even more special.
Tip: Want to Explore Curitiba Like a Local?
Book a city tour with us and discover the best of Curitiba with a local guide who knows all about Curitibanês, piá! You’re gonna love it!
📞 (41) 98840-0172
🥂 Experience Curitiba in an authentic way, full of stories and local flavor!
