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Lesson Transcript

Hi everybody!
Do you know how Brazilian people celebrate New Year's Day? In this lesson, you'll learn some important phrases about Brazilian New Year's and some valuable cultural tips.
In Portuguese, New Year's Day is called
Dia de Ano Novo
[slowly] Dia de Ano Novo
On New Year's Day, you’ll be able to see the fireworks on Copacabana beach. Apart from setting off fireworks, we have many other traditions for New Year's in Brazil. Everything from the meals to the color of the clothes you wear is extremely important on this day.
On Dia de Ano Novo, or New Year's Day, we greet each other by saying Feliz Ano Novo!
(slow) Feliz Ano Novo!
It means "Happy New Year!"
On the other hand, when you meet a group of people on New Year's Day, you can say...
Feliz Ano Novo, a todos.
(slow) Feliz Ano Novo, a todos.
It means “Happy new year, everyone.”
Brazilian people also celebrate the holiday with special events and customs. The most popular one is...
sete ondas
(slow) sete ondas
This means "seven waves."
There’s another habit that shows African influence—jumping seven waves. It’s believed that if you jump over seven waves, or sete ondas, it will attract luck and success for years to come.
On this special day, Brazilian people eat uva.
(slow) uva
This means "grape."
On New Year's Day, there are superstitions about food as well. The food includes figs or figos, pomegranates or romãs, lentils or lentilha, and grapes or uva. They are all symbols of prosperity. For example, some people eat seven pomegranate seeds at midnight. Then they save the seeds, or sementes, in their wallet. It’s believed that this custom will bring them wealth and money. Traditionally, Brazilian people also eat twelve grapes, or uvas, at the turn of the year to bring good luck for the year ahead.
Let's wrap up this lesson by recapping what you've learned. Listen to the expression and repeat after me.
“New Year's Day.”
Dia de Ano Novo
*beep
Dia de Ano Novo
“Happy New Year!”
Feliz Ano Novo!
*beep
Feliz Ano Novo!
“seven waves.”
sete ondas.
*beep
sete ondas.
“grape.”
uva.
*beep
uva.
Well done! [pause]
You just learned how Brazilian people celebrate "New Year's Day" and some important facts about the holiday.
And, if you really want to become fluent and speak Portuguese from the very first lesson, go to PortuguesePod101.com.
I’ll see you next time. Tchau.

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