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Holidays and celebrations in Portuguese

139 words, from beginner to advanced. Tap a word to hear it.

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Learning holiday Portuguese involves distinguishing public holidays from celebrations. Feriado nacional names a nationwide public holiday; Festa religiosa describes a religious celebration, which does not necessarily mean a day off. Passagem de Ano refers to the transition into the new year and its celebrations, while Ano Novo names the new year or New Year's Day.

Romaria is a religious pilgrimage or a traditional festival associated with one; Procissão is a religious procession. These words are not interchangeable. Vestir-se a rigor means dressing formally or suitably for a special occasion; it does not specifically mean wearing regional costume.

  1. Crendices /kɾẽˈdisɨʃ/ a pl. as crendices Folk beliefs C1Advanced#
  2. Vestir-se a rigor /vɨʃˈtiɾ sɨ ɐ ʀiˈɡoɾ/ Dress for the occasion B2Advanced#
  3. Fazer oferendas /fɐˈzeɾ ofɨˈɾẽdɐʃ/ Making offerings B2Advanced#
  4. Transmitir saberes populares /tɾɐ̃ʒmiˈtiɾ sɐˈbeɾɨʃ pupuˈlaɾɨʃ/ Pass on folk knowledge B2Advanced#
  5. Resgatar tradições esquecidas /ʁɨʒɡɐˈtaɾ tɾɐdiˈsõj̃z ɨʃkɨˈsidɐʃ/ Rescuing forgotten traditions C1Advanced#
  6. Passagem de Ano /pɐˈsaʒɐ̃j̃ dɨ ˈɐnu/ a New Years Eve A2Intermediate#
  7. Ceia de Natal /ˈsɐjɐ dɨ nɐˈtal/ a pl. as ceias de Natal Christmas dinner A2Intermediate#
  8. Bolo-Rei /ˌboluˈʁɐj/ o pl. os bolos-reis Kings cake A2Intermediate#
  9. Amigo secreto /ɐˈmiɣu sɨˈkɾɛtu/ o pl. os amigos secretos Secret Santa B1Intermediate#
  10. Brindar com champanhe /bɾĩˈdaɾ kõ ʃɐ̃ˈpɐɲɨ/ Toast with champagne B1Intermediate#
  11. Fazer orações /fɐˈzeɾ uɾɐˈsõj̃ʃ/ Saying prayers B1Intermediate#
  12. Montar enfeites /mõˈtaɾ ẽˈfɐjtɨʃ/ Putting up decorations B1Intermediate#
  13. Presépio /pɾɨˈzɛpju/ o pl. os presépios Nativity scene B1Advanced#
  14. Cortejo festivo /kuɾˈtɐʒu fɨʃˈtivu/ o pl. os cortejos festivos Festive parade B2Advanced#
  15. Romaria /ʁumɐˈɾiɐ/ a pl. as romarias Pilgrimage B2Advanced#
  16. Romaria da Senhora da Agonia /ʁumɐˈɾiɐ dɐ sɨˈɲɔɾɐ dɐ ɐɡuˈniɐ/ a Pilgrimage of Our Lady of Agony C1Advanced#
  17. Romaria a pé /ʁumɐˈɾiɐ ɐ ˈpɛ/ a pl. as romarias a pé Pilgrimage on foot B2Advanced#
  18. Dia dos Fiéis Defuntos /ˈdiɐ duʃ fiˈɛjʒ dɨˈfũtuʃ/ o All Souls' Day B2Advanced#
  19. Missa do Galo /ˈmisɐ du ˈɡalu/ a pl. as missas do galo Midnight Mass B1Advanced#
  20. Comer doze passas /kuˈmeɾ ˈdozɨ ˈpasɐʃ/ To eat twelve raisins A2Advanced#
  21. Confecionar disfarces /kõfɛsjuˈnaɾ diʃˈfaɾsɨʃ/ To make costumes B2Advanced#
  22. Desfilar no corso /dɨʃfiˈlaɾ nu ˈkoɾsu/ To parade in the carnival procession B2Advanced#
  23. Dançar o vira /dɐ̃ˈsaɾ u ˈviɾɐ/ To dance the vira B2Advanced#
  24. Novena /nuˈvenɐ/ a pl. as novenas Novena C1Advanced#
  25. Dança dos pauliteiros /ˈdɐ̃sɐ duʃ pɐwliˈtɐjɾuʃ/ a pl. as danças dos pauliteiros Stick dance C1Advanced#
  26. Cantar as janeiras /kɐ̃ˈtaɾ ɐʒ ʒɐˈnɐjɾɐʃ/ To sing the January carols B2Advanced#
  27. Rancho folclórico /ˈʁɐ̃ʃu folˈklɔɾiku/ o pl. os ranchos folclóricos Folk dance group B2Advanced#
  28. Corridinho /kuʁiˈdiɲu/ o pl. os corridinhos Corridinho dance B2Advanced#
  29. Cantar ao desafio /kɐ̃ˈtaɾ aw dɨzɐˈfiu/ To sing in improvised contest C1Advanced#
  30. Festa dos Tabuleiros /ˈfɛʃtɐ duʃ tɐbuˈlɐjɾuʃ/ a Festival of the Trays B2Advanced#
  31. Festa do Divino /ˈfɛʃtɐ du diˈvinu/ a Feast of the Holy Spirit B2Advanced#
  32. Época dos Santos Populares /ˈɛpukɐ duʃ ˈsɐ̃tuʃ pupuˈlaɾɨʃ/ a pl. as épocas dos Santos Populares Popular Saints season B1Advanced#
  33. Festa patronal /ˈfɛʃtɐ pɐtɾuˈnal/ a pl. as festas patronais Patron saint's festival B2Advanced#
  34. Festa da padroeira /ˈfɛʃtɐ dɐ pɐdɾuˈɐjɾɐ/ a pl. as festas da padroeira Feast of the patron saint B1Advanced#
  35. Marchas populares /ˈmaɾʃɐʃ pupuˈlaɾɨʃ/ a pl. as marchas populares Popular marches B1Advanced#
  36. Marcha de Lisboa /ˈmaɾʃɐ dɨ liʒˈboɐ/ a pl. as marchas de Lisboa Lisbon march song B2Advanced#
  37. Encenação religiosa /ẽsɨnɐˈsɐ̃w̃ ʁɨliʒiˈozɐ/ a pl. as encenações religiosas Religious staging B2Advanced#
  38. Tradições açorianas /tɾɐdiˈsõj̃z ɐsuɾiˈɐnɐʃ/ a pl. as tradições açorianas Azorean traditions B2Advanced#
  39. Tradições minhotas /tɾɐdiˈsõj̃ʒ miˈɲɔtɐʃ/ a pl. as tradições minhotas Minho traditions C1Advanced#
  40. Ofertas aos santos /ɔˈfɛɾtɐz awʃ ˈsɐ̃tuʃ/ a pl. as ofertas aos santos Offerings to the saints B2Advanced#
  41. Sardinha assada /sɐɾˈdiɲɐ ɐˈsadɐ/ a pl. as sardinhas assadas Grilled sardine A2Intermediate#
  42. Caldo verde /ˈkaldu ˈveɾdɨ/ o Green broth soup A2Intermediate#
  43. Feriado prolongado /fɨɾiˈadu pɾulõˈɡadu/ o pl. os feriados prolongados Long weekend B1Intermediate#
  44. Festa religiosa /ˈfɛʃtɐ ʁɨliˈʒjɔzɐ/ a pl. as festas religiosas Religious festival B1Intermediate#
  45. Procissão /pɾusiˈsɐ̃w̃/ a pl. as procissões Procession B2Intermediate#
  46. Bênção /ˈbẽsɐ̃w̃/ a pl. as bênçãos Blessing B1Intermediate#
  47. Procissão marítima /pɾusiˈsɐ̃w̃ mɐˈɾitimɐ/ a pl. as procissões marítimas Maritime procession B2Advanced#
  48. Costumes familiares /kuʃˈtumɨʃ fɐmiliˈaɾɨʃ/ o pl. os costumes familiares Family customs B1Intermediate#
  49. Tapete de flores /tɐˈpetɨ dɨ ˈfloɾɨʃ/ o pl. os tapetes de flores Flower carpet B1Advanced#
  50. Missa campal /ˈmisɐ kɐ̃ˈpal/ a pl. as missas campais Open-air Mass B2Advanced#
  51. Festa das Vindimas /ˈfɛʃtɐ dɐʒ vĩˈdimɐʃ/ a pl. as festas das vindimas Grape harvest festival B1Advanced#
  52. Doces conventuais /ˈdosɨʃ kõvẽˈtwajʃ/ o pl. os doces conventuais Convent sweets B2Advanced#
  53. Toque dos bombos /ˈtɔkɨ duʒ ˈbõbuʃ/ o pl. os toques dos bombos Beating of the folk drums B2Advanced#
  54. Festa da Senhora da Nazaré /ˈfɛʃtɐ dɐ sɨˈɲɔɾɐ dɐ nɐzɐˈɾɛ/ a Feast of Our Lady of Nazaré B2Advanced#
  55. Festa de São João do Porto /ˈfɛʃtɐ dɨ sɐ̃w̃ ʒuˈɐ̃w̃ du ˈpoɾtu/ a Saint Johns festival of Porto B1Advanced#
  56. Natal /nɐˈtaɫ/ o pl. os Natais Christmas A1Elementary#
  57. Ano Novo /ˈɐnu ˈnɔvu/ o New Year A1Elementary#
  58. Páscoa /ˈpaʃkuɐ/ a Easter A2Elementary#
  59. Carnaval /kɐɾnɐˈval/ o Carnival A2Elementary#
  60. Comer juntos /kuˈmeɾ ˈʒũtuʃ/ Eating together A1Elementary#
  61. Feriado nacional /fɨɾiˈadu nɐsjuˈnaɫ/ o pl. os feriados nacionais National holiday A2Elementary#
  62. Santos Populares /ˈsɐ̃tuʃ pupuˈlaɾɨʃ/ os Popular Saints festivals B1Intermediate#
  63. Festas de São João /ˈfɛʃtɐʒ dɨ sɐ̃w̃ ʒuˈɐ̃w̃/ a Saint Johns festivals B1Intermediate#
  64. Fogos de artifício /ˈfɔɡuʒ dɨ ɐɾtiˈfisju/ o pl. os fogos de artifício Fireworks A2Intermediate#
  65. Lançar foguetes /lɐ̃ˈsaɾ fuˈɡetɨʃ/ To set off rockets B1Intermediate#
  66. Dar lembranças /ˈdaɾ lẽˈbɾɐ̃sɐʃ/ To give small gifts B1Intermediate#
  67. Guardar tradições /ɡwɐɾˈdaɾ tɾɐdiˈsõj̃ʃ/ Keeping traditions B1Intermediate#
  68. Participar nas tradições /pɐɾtisiˈpaɾ nɐʃ tɾɐdiˈsõj̃ʃ/ Taking part in traditions B1Intermediate#
  69. Passar de geração em geração /pɐˈsaɾ dɨ ʒɨɾɐˈsɐ̃w̃ ɐ̃j̃ ʒɨɾɐˈsɐ̃w̃/ Passing down from generation to generation B1Intermediate#
  70. Festejar com o coração /fɨʃtɨˈʒaɾ kõ u kuɾɐˈsɐ̃w̃/ Celebrate from the heart B1Intermediate#
  71. Trocar presentes /tɾuˈkaɾ pɾɨˈzẽtɨʃ/ Exchanging gifts A2Elementary#
  72. Chamar os amigos /ʃɐˈmaɾ uz ɐˈmiɡuʃ/ Inviting friends over A1Elementary#
  73. Contar histórias /kõˈtaɾ iʃˈtɔɾjɐʃ/ Storytelling A2Elementary#
  74. Contar histórias antigas /kõˈtaɾ iʃˈtɔɾjɐʃ ɐ̃ˈtiɡɐʃ/ To tell old stories A2Elementary#
  75. Lendas e mitos /ˈlẽdɐz i ˈmituʃ/ a pl. as lendas e mitos Legends and myths B1Intermediate#
  76. Superstições /supɨɾʃtiˈsõj̃ʃ/ a pl. as superstições Superstitions B2Intermediate#
  77. Festival folclórico /fɨʃtiˈval folˈklɔɾiku/ o pl. os festivais folclóricos Folk festival B1Intermediate#
  78. Dia de padroeiro /ˈdiɐ dɨ pɐˈdɾwɐjɾu/ o pl. os dias de padroeiro Patron saint's day B2Intermediate#
  79. Artesanato local /ɐɾtɨzɐˈnatu luˈkaɫ/ o Local handicrafts B1Intermediate#
  80. Manter os costumes /mɐ̃ˈteɾ uʃ kuʃˈtumɨʃ/ Maintaining customs B1Intermediate#
  81. Músicas folclóricas /ˈmuzikɐʃ fuɫˈklɔɾikɐʃ/ a pl. as músicas folclóricas Folk songs B1Intermediate#
  82. Época de Natal /ˈɛpukɐ dɨ nɐˈtaɫ/ a pl. as épocas de Natal Christmas season A2Elementary#
  83. Dia do Pai /ˈdiɐ du ˈpaj/ o Father's Day A2Elementary#
  84. Dia da Criança /ˈdiɐ dɐ kɾiˈɐ̃sɐ/ o Children's Day A2Elementary#
  85. Decorar a árvore de Natal /dɨkuˈɾaɾ ɐ ˈaɾvuɾɨ dɨ nɐˈtaɫ/ Decorating the Christmas tree A2Elementary#
  86. Vestir branco /vɨʃˈtiɾ ˈbɾɐ̃ku/ Wear white A2Elementary#
  87. Festa em família /ˈfɛʃtɐ ɐ̃j̃ fɐˈmiljɐ/ a pl. as festas em família Family party A2Elementary#
  88. Acender velas /ɐsẽˈdeɾ ˈvɛlɐʃ/ Lighting candles A2Elementary#
  89. Comer comidas típicas /kuˈmeɾ kuˈmiðɐʃ ˈtipikɐʃ/ Eating typical food A2Elementary#
  90. Comidas festivas /kuˈmidɐʃ fɨʃˈtivɐʃ/ a pl. as comidas festivas Festive foods B1Intermediate#
  91. Registar em fotografias /ʁɨʒiʃˈtaɾ ɐ̃j̃ futuɣɾɐˈfiɐʃ/ Capture in photographs B1Intermediate#
  92. Organizar os festejos /ɔɾɡɐniˈzaɾ uʃ fɨʃˈtɐʒuʃ/ Organizing the festivities B2Intermediate#
  93. Doar alimentos /duˈaɾ ɐliˈmẽtuʃ/ Donate food B1Intermediate#
  94. Fazer parte da comunidade /fɐˈzeɾ ˈpaɾtɨ dɐ kumuniˈdadɨ/ Be part of the community B1Intermediate#
  95. Comemorar /kumɨmuˈɾaɾ/ comemorei · comemorado Celebrate A2Intermediate#
  96. Dia da Mãe /ˈdiɐ dɐ ˈmɐ̃j̃/ o Mother's Day A2Elementary#
  97. Dia dos Namorados /ˈdiɐ duʒ nɐmuˈɾaduʃ/ o Valentine's Day A2Elementary#
  98. Milho cozido /ˈmiʎu kuˈzidu/ o Boiled corn A2Elementary#
  99. Festa do milho /ˈfɛʃtɐ du ˈmiʎu/ a pl. as festas do milho Corn festival B1Elementary#
  100. Fogueira /fuˈɡɐjɾɐ/ a pl. as fogueiras Bonfire B1Elementary#
  101. Comemorar com alegria /kumɨmuˈɾaɾ kõ ɐlɨˈɡɾiɐ/ Celebrating with joy A2Elementary#
  102. Dança tradicional /ˈdɐ̃sɐ tɾɐdisjuˈnaɫ/ a pl. as danças tradicionais Traditional dance A2Elementary#
  103. Pratos típicos /ˈpɾatuʃ ˈtipikuʃ/ o pl. os pratos típicos Typical dishes A2Elementary#
  104. Dia de santo /ˈdiɐ dɨ ˈsɐ̃tu/ o pl. os dias de santo Saint's day B1Elementary#
  105. Feira de rua /ˈfɐjɾɐ dɨ ˈʁuɐ/ a pl. as feiras de rua Street fair A2Elementary#
  106. Música típica /ˈmuzikɐ ˈtipikɐ/ a pl. as músicas típicas Typical music A2Elementary#
  107. Cantar músicas típicas /kɐ̃ˈtaɾ ˈmuzikɐʃ ˈtipikɐʃ/ Singing typical songs A2Elementary#
  108. Rituais antigos /ʁituˈajz ɐ̃ˈtiɡuʃ/ o pl. os rituais antigos Ancient rituals B2Intermediate#
  109. Símbolos culturais /ˈsĩbuluʃ kultuˈɾajʃ/ o pl. os símbolos culturais Cultural symbols B2Intermediate#
  110. Tradição oral /tɾɐdiˈsɐ̃w̃ uˈɾal/ a pl. as tradições orais Oral tradition B2Intermediate#
  111. Celebração coletiva /sɨlɨbɾɐˈsɐ̃w̃ kulɛˈtivɐ/ a pl. as celebrações coletivas Collective celebration B2Intermediate#
  112. Eventos sazonais /iˈvẽtuʃ sɐzuˈnajʃ/ o pl. os eventos sazonais Seasonal events B2Intermediate#
  113. Data comemorativa /ˈdatɐ kumɨmuɾɐˈtivɐ/ a pl. as datas comemorativas Commemorative date B1Intermediate#
  114. Valorizar a cultura local /vɐluɾiˈzaɾ ɐ kuɫˈtuɾɐ luˈkaɫ/ Valuing local culture B1Intermediate#
  115. Festa do vinho /ˈfɛʃtɐ du ˈviɲu/ a pl. as festas do vinho Wine festival B1Elementary#
  116. Rezar em família /ʁɨˈzaɾ ɐ̃j̃ fɐˈmiljɐ/ Praying as a family A2Elementary#
  117. Participar na festa /pɐɾtisiˈpaɾ nɐ ˈfɛʃtɐ/ Take part in the party A2Elementary#
  118. Convidar os vizinhos /kõviˈdaɾ uʒ viˈziɲuʃ/ Invite the neighbors A2Elementary#
  119. Celebrar a primavera /sɨlɨˈbɾaɾ ɐ pɾimɐˈvɛɾɐ/ Celebrating spring A2Elementary#
  120. Tradições regionais /tɾɐdiˈsõj̃ʒ ʀɨʒjuˈnajʃ/ a pl. as tradições regionais Regional traditions B1Intermediate#
  121. Tradições do interior /tɾɐdiˈsõj̃ʒ du ĩtɨɾiˈoɾ/ a pl. as tradições do interior Traditions of the countryside B2Intermediate#
  122. Transmissão entre gerações /tɾɐ̃ʒmiˈsɐ̃w̃ ˈẽtɾɨ ʒɨɾɐˈsõj̃ʃ/ a pl. as transmissões entre gerações Transmission between generations B2Intermediate#
  123. Transmitir valores culturais /tɾɐ̃ʒmiˈtiɾ vɐˈloɾɨʃ kuɫtuˈɾajʃ/ Transmitting cultural values B2Intermediate#
  124. Festejar com responsabilidade /fɨʃtɨˈʒaɾ kõ ʁɨʃpõsɐbiliˈðaðɨ/ Party responsibly B1Intermediate#
  125. Preservar a memória cultural /pɾɨzɨɾˈvaɾ ɐ mɨˈmɔɾjɐ kuɫtuˈɾaɫ/ Preserving cultural memory B2Intermediate#
  126. Apoiar eventos culturais /ɐpuˈjaɾ ɨˈvẽtuʃ kuɫtuˈɾajʃ/ Supporting cultural events B1Intermediate#
  127. Incentivar a participação /ĩsẽtiˈvaɾ ɐ pɐɾtisipɐˈsɐ̃w̃/ Encouraging participation B2Intermediate#
  128. Promover o respeito pelas tradições /pɾumuˈveɾ u ʀɨʃˈpɐjtu pɨlɐʃ tɾɐdiˈsõj̃ʃ/ Promoting respect for traditions B2Intermediate#
  129. Viver a cultura portuguesa /viˈveɾ ɐ kulˈtuɾɐ puɾtuˈɡezɐ/ Experience Portuguese culture B1Intermediate#
  130. Comunidade reunida /kumuniˈdadɨ ʁjuˈnidɐ/ a pl. as comunidades reunidas Gathered community B1Intermediate#
  131. Celebrar a fé /sɨlɨˈbɾaɾ ɐ ˈfɛ/ Celebrating faith B1Intermediate#
  132. Vestir traje regional /vɨʃˈtiɾ ˈtɾaʒɨ ʀɨʒjuˈnal/ To wear regional dress B1Intermediate#
  133. Usar trajes típicos /uˈzaɾ ˈtɾaʒɨʃ ˈtipikuʃ/ Wearing traditional costumes B1Intermediate#
  134. Cultura alentejana /kuɫˈtuɾɐ ɐlẽtɨˈʒɐnɐ/ a Alentejo culture B2Intermediate#
  135. Celebração de colheita /sɨlɨbɾɐˈsɐ̃w̃ dɨ kuˈʎɐjtɐ/ a pl. as celebrações de colheita Harvest celebration B2Intermediate#
  136. Velas acesas na igreja /ˈvɛlɐz ɐˈsezɐʒ nɐ iˈɡɾɐʒɐ/ a pl. as velas acesas na igreja Candles lit in the church B1Intermediate#
  137. Danças circulares /ˈdɐ̃sɐʃ siɾkuˈlaɾɨʃ/ a pl. as danças circulares Circular dances B2Intermediate#
  138. Montar barracas /mõˈtaɾ bɐˈʁakɐʃ/ Put up stalls B1Intermediate#

Rules to remember

  • Feriado nacional is masculine; Festa religiosa and Procissão are feminine. The ending -ão alone does not determine a noun's gender.
  • In Tradições regionais and Costumes familiares, the adjective follows the noun and agrees with it in the plural.
  • In Vestir-se a rigor, the pronoun is attached to the infinitive with a hyphen. In Participar na festa, na combines the preposition em with the feminine article a.

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