Grammar Lesson 6: The Verb 'Ficar', Studying in Cafés

Grammar Lesson 6: The Verb 'Ficar', Studying in Cafés

Author: College of Liberal Arts, University of Texas at Austin June 7, 2007 Duration: 11:11
asset title: Grammar Lesson 6: The Verb 'Ficar', Studying in Cafés filename: tafalado_gra_06.mp3 track number: 32/46 time: 11:11 size: 7.87 MB bitrate: 96 kbps In this lesson Orlando dreams about being able to use the verb 'ficar' when he is talking in Spanish. Ah, if they just had that verb in Spanish, it would make things a lot easier. Of course, for you Spanish speakers, you now have a chance to add 'ficar' to your Portuguese. Whether it means to become, to be, to stay, to remain, to keep on, or any of the other meanings, you are sure to love this fantastic verb. And whoever said that verbs weren't fun? One caution, however, don't study your verbs in a café, at least not in Brazil. Michelle and Valdo have a hard time getting used to the idea of studying in a café. Dialog Portuguese Valdo: Eu fico pensando como as pessoas aqui conseguem se concentrar nos estudos ficando horas e horas sentadas nos cafés. Michelle: É mesmo! No Brasil a gente geralmente fica em casa ou na biblioteca estudando. Valdo: Eu fico meio distraído com o movimento das pessoas entrando e saindo. Michelle: Fora que você fica mais pobre, porque pra ficar lá você sempre tem que consumir algo. Valdo: E ainda ficar de molho na fila pra comprar qualquer coisa. Michelle: É, às vezes eu fico com um pouco de receio de ir estudar nos cafés exatamente por isso. Spanish Valdo: Sigo pensando como las personas aquí consiguen concentrarse en los estudios pasando horas y horas sentadas en los cafés. Michelle: De acuerdo. En el Brasil generalmente nos quedamos en casa o en una biblioteca para estudiar. Valdo: Me distrai con el movimiento de personas que entran y salen. Michelle: Y además uno pasa a ser más pobre porque para sentarse allí uno siempre tiene que tomar algo. Valdo: Y todavía tienes que esperar en la fila para comprar alguna cosa. Michelle: Sí, a veces me siento un poco reticente en estudiar en los cafés precisamente por eso. English Valdo: I keep wondering how people here can concentrate on their studies while sitting around for hours in cafes. Michelle: I know. In Brazil we generally stay at home or study in the library. Valdo: I get distracted with all the movement of people coming in and out. Michelle: Besides that, you end up poorer because in order to stay there you have to keep drinking something. Valdo: And you've also got to wait in line just to buy something. Michelle: Yea, sometimes I feel a little reticent to study in cafes precisely because of that.

For anyone who speaks Spanish and wants to learn the distinct sounds of Brazilian Portuguese, Tá Falado is a focused and practical resource. This podcast comes from the College of Liberal Arts at the University of Texas at Austin, and it’s built on a simple, effective idea: your existing knowledge of Spanish is a powerful starting point. Each episode deliberately contrasts the two languages, breaking down specific pronunciation challenges like vowel sounds, nasal consonants, and intonation patterns that often trip up Spanish speakers. You’ll hear clear comparisons and practice examples that highlight these differences directly. Beyond the mechanics of speech, the podcast naturally weaves in cultural notes and real-life scenarios, offering glimpses into daily life and social interactions in Brazil compared to common experiences in the United States. It’s this combination of linguistic precision and cultural context that makes the lessons stick. As part of the broader Brazilpod project, Tá Falado is academically informed but entirely approachable, turning a potentially difficult learning curve into a series of manageable, insightful steps. The goal isn’t just to be understood, but to sound more authentic and confident when speaking.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 46

Tá Falado: Brazilian Portuguese Pronunciation for Speakers of Spanish
Podcast Episodes
Grammar Lesson 20: This Just Isn't Spanish, Adapting to Handicapped [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:03
asset title: Grammar Lesson 20: This Just Isn't Spanish, Adapting to Handicapped filename: tafalado_gra_20.mp3 track number: 46/46 time: 11:03 size: 7.77 MB bitrate: 96 kbps Oh man, where did this word come from? After a…
Grammar Lesson 19: Present Perfect, Naming People [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:09
asset title: Grammar Lesson 19: Present Perfect, Naming People filename: tafalado_gra_19.mp3 track number: 45/46 time: 16:09 size: 11.36 MB bitrate: 96 kbps One of life's great mysteries is if a Brazilian marries someone…
Grammar Lesson 18: Word Order, Buses and Services [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 10:56
asset title: Grammar Lesson 18: Word Order, Buses and Services filename: tafalado_gra_18.mp3 track number: 44/46 time: 10:56 size: 7.69 MB bitrate: 96 kbps So how weird would it be to be a Brazilian in the United States…
Grammar Lesson 17: Também x Também não, Online Activities [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 9:44
asset title: Grammar Lesson 17: Também x Também não, Online Activities filename: tafalado_gra_17.mp3 track number: 43/46 time: 9:44 size: 6.85 MB bitrate: 96 kbps Spanish speakers who are used to saying tampoco will now…
Grammar Lesson 16: Placement of Indirect Pronouns, Greeting Friends [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:33
asset title: Grammar Lesson 16: Placement of Indirect Pronouns, Greeting Friends filename: tafalado_gra_16.mp3 track number: 42/46 time: 12:33 size: 8.82 MB bitrate: 96 kbps In this lesson, Michelle claims that most peop…
Grammar Lesson 15: False Cognates, Driver's License [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 10:50
asset title: Grammar Lesson 15: False Cognates, Driver's License filename: tafalado_gra_15.mp3 track number: 41/46 time: 10:50 size: 7.62 MB bitrate: 96 kbps No kidding, Orlando was in Mexico City one time and saw a man…
Grammar Lesson 14: Absence of Direct Object Pronouns, Mobile Homes [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 10:24
asset title: Grammar Lesson 14: Absence of Direct Object Pronouns, Mobile Homes filename: tafalado_gra_14.mp3 track number: 40/46 time: 10:24 size: 7.32 MB bitrate: 96 kbps OK, so you are driving down the freeway and you…
Grammar Lesson 13: Gender in Portuguese and Spanish, Buying Alcohol [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:33
asset title: Grammar Lesson 13: Gender in Portuguese and Spanish, Buying Alcohol filename: tafalado_gra_13.mp3 track number: 39/46 time: 11:33 size: 8.12 MB bitrate: 96 kbps To be clear, we are referring to gender agreem…
Grammar Lesson 11: Topic-Comment Patterns, Special Needs Privileges [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:01
asset title: Grammar Lesson 11: Topic-Comment Patterns, Special Needs Privileges filename: tafalado_gra_11.mp3 track number: 37/46 time: 12:01 size: 8.46 MB bitrate: 96 kbps Just look at that barriga! Clearly the polite…