Uploaded May 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Think you're speaking English in Brazil? Think again. Many English words used in Brazil have completely different meanings — and using them incorrectly can lead to confusion, awkward situations, or even professional misunderstandings.
In this video, you'll learn the most common false cognates in Brazilian Portuguese (also known as fake English words in Brazil) and how to use them correctly.
From business expressions like "home office" to everyday words like "notebook", "pet", and "shopping", you'll discover how Brazilian Portuguese reshapes English vocabulary in surprising ways.
🎯 What you'll learn:
✔️ Why "pet" doesn’t mean what you think in Brazil
✔️ The real meaning of "home office" in Brazilian workplaces
✔️ Why Brazilians say "notebook" instead of "laptop"
✔️ How "shopping" refers to a place, not an activity
✔️ The surprising meanings of "outdoor", "smoking", and more
✔️ Common Brazilian slang like "top", "punk", and "show"
⏱️ Timestamps:
00:00 - Why English words change meaning in Brazil
00:32 - Pet: Animals vs. Plastic
01:26 - Home Office in Brazil
02:12 - Notebook vs. Laptop
02:54 - Print and Chip
03:32 - Shopping and Smoking
04:19 - Outdoor: The Billboard trap
05:52 - Slang: Punk, Show, Top
👍 Thank you for watching — and for choosing to learn Portuguese with me!
✅ Enjoying the channel? Here's how you can support Plain Portuguese and help us keep creating high-quality, free lessons for you:
🔹 Support us for FREE!
Just by watching our videos until the end, giving a thumbs-up 👍, and sharing with friends, you’re already making a big difference!
Your feedback is also super valuable — tell us what you loved or want more of! 💬
🔹 Feeling grateful?
Click the ❤️ THANKS button under any video (the “Super Thanks” / Valeu feature).
It’s a lovely way to show appreciation!
🔹 Become a member of the Plain Portuguese Club for early access to lessons and occasional online meetups!
🔗 youtube.com/channel/UCDx_oRfWBSuLxlHTOtIQO1g/join
🔹 Prefer a one-time contribution?
You can support us with a ☕ on PayPal:
🔗 paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=BF5CQ4M9MZA94
🙌 Every bit of support helps us grow — and keeps this project going strong.
We’re here to bring you the best experience learning Brazilian Portuguese!
📌 Join our Members-Only Discord and connect with our community:
🔗 discord.gg/PvYyn2BA9Y
📧 Questions or suggestions?
plainportuguese.contact@gmail.com
🇧🇷 Why learn Portuguese with Plain Portuguese?
So many people around the world want to speak Brazilian Portuguese — for travel, work, or just the joy of connecting with a vibrant culture.
Here at Plain Portuguese, you'll learn step by step, with clear guidance in English.
🧠 We teach grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, and culture — always in a way that’s engaging and effective.
🔎 #plainportuguese #learnbrazilianportuguese #brazilianportuguese #portugueselessons #brazilianculture
Think you're speaking English in Brazil? Think again. Many English words used in Brazil have completely different meanings — and using them incorrectly can lead to confusion, awkward situations, or even professional misunderstandings.
In this video, you'll learn the most common false cognates in Brazilian Portuguese (also known as fake English words in Brazil) and how to use them correctly.
From business expressions like "home office" to everyday words like "notebook", "pet", and "shopping", you'll discover how Brazilian Portuguese reshapes English vocabulary in surprising ways.
🎯 What you'll learn:
✔️ Why "pet" doesn’t mean what you think in Brazil
✔️ The real meaning of "home office" in Brazilian workplaces
✔️ Why Brazilians say "notebook" instead of "laptop"
✔️ How "shopping" refers to a place, not an activity
✔️ The surprising meanings of "outdoor", "smoking", and more
✔️ Common Brazilian slang like "top", "punk", and "show"
⏱️ Timestamps:
00:00 - Why English words change meaning in Brazil
00:32 - Pet: Animals vs. Plastic
01:26 - Home Office in Brazil
02:12 - Notebook vs. Laptop
02:54 - Print and Chip
03:32 - Shopping and Smoking
04:19 - Outdoor: The Billboard trap
05:52 - Slang: Punk, Show, Top
👍 Thank you for watching — and for choosing to learn Portuguese with me!
✅ Enjoying the channel? Here's how you can support Plain Portuguese and help us keep creating high-quality, free lessons for you:
🔹 Support us for FREE!
Just by watching our videos until the end, giving a thumbs-up 👍, and sharing with friends, you’re already making a big difference!
Your feedback is also super valuable — tell us what you loved or want more of! 💬
🔹 Feeling grateful?
Click the ❤️ THANKS button under any video (the “Super Thanks” / Valeu feature).
It’s a lovely way to show appreciation!
🔹 Become a member of the Plain Portuguese Club for early access to lessons and occasional online meetups!
🔗 youtube.com/channel/UCDx_oRfWBSuLxlHTOtIQO1g/join
🔹 Prefer a one-time contribution?
You can support us with a ☕ on PayPal:
🔗 paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=BF5CQ4M9MZA94
🙌 Every bit of support helps us grow — and keeps this project going strong.
We’re here to bring you the best experience learning Brazilian Portuguese!
📌 Join our Members-Only Discord and connect with our community:
🔗 discord.gg/PvYyn2BA9Y
📧 Questions or suggestions?
plainportuguese.contact@gmail.com
🇧🇷 Why learn Portuguese with Plain Portuguese?
So many people around the world want to speak Brazilian Portuguese — for travel, work, or just the joy of connecting with a vibrant culture.
Here at Plain Portuguese, you'll learn step by step, with clear guidance in English.
🧠 We teach grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, and culture — always in a way that’s engaging and effective.
🔎 #plainportuguese #learnbrazilianportuguese #brazilianportuguese #portugueselessons #brazilianculture
