I’m heading to Recife tomorrow—so, of course, the beach is on my mind! 🌊
Growing up in Northeastern Brazil, going to the beach was as natural as going to school or work. Whether you’re a beach lover or just curious about Brazilian culture, knowing some beach-related vocabulary in Portuguese will definitely come in handy—especially if you’re planning a trip or just dreaming of warmer days.
In this Portuguese lesson, you’ll learn 21 essential beach-related words, from swimwear and accessories to three different ways to say you’re getting a tan.
Plus, I’ll share a few cultural tips to help you feel more like a local on your next beach visit.
Ready? Grab your água de coco and let’s dive in!
The video lesson is below so you can hear the pronunciation of the words and get helpful pronunciation tips.
Note: This is an older video, so the production quality might not be top-notch, but it’s still a great resource to hear the words spoken clearly and get valuable pronunciation guidance.
Beach Vocabulary in Portuguese
The Beach = A Praia
At the beach you will enjoy:
- (o) mar = sea
- (a) areia = sand
- (o) sol = sun
- (o) vento = wind
- (a) água de coco = coconut water
- (o) banho de mar = swim in the sea (literally: sea bath)
In the U.S., ocean is commonly used when talking about going to the beach, while in Brazil, we almost always say mar, which means sea.
🗣️ Pronunciation lesson: The letter R in Brazilian Portuguese
🗣️ Pronunciation lesson: The letter L at the end of words in Brazilian Portuguese
Beach Wear = Roupa de Praia
- (o) biquĂni = bikini
- (o) maiĂ´ = bathing suit, swimsuit (one-peace)
- (a) canga = sarong
- (o) short = shorts
- (a) sunga = speedo-style swim shorts
- (o) calção de praia = swim trunks
- (a) bermuda = bermuda shorts
- (a) chinela = flip-flops
Ladies, I encourage you to be bold and try a Brazilian bikini! Not all Brazilian bikinis are super small—you can definitely find one that makes you feel both comfortable and confident.
Beach Accessories = AcessĂłrios de Praia
To go to the beach, you may want to bring:
- (a) toalha de praia = beach towel
- (a) cadeira de praia = beach chair
- (a) sombrinha / guarda-sol = umbrella
- (o) protetor solar = sunscreen
- (o) boné = cap
- (o) chapéu = hat
- (os) Ăłculos de sol / Ăłculos escuros = sunglasses
- (a) prancha de surfe = surfboard
When I go to the beach in Recife, I don’t bring a chair or umbrella with me. Vendors there sell food and drinks and often provide chairs and umbrellas for customers. They don’t usually charge extra for using the chairs if you buy something from them. However, as a tourist, they might try to charge you a small fee. Considering the exchange rate, it’s often a minor expense—but if you feel like bargaining, go for it!
My friends and I also skip beach towels, as we prefer to use our cangas instead. But, hey, that is a personal preference and not a cultural norm.
How to Say “To Get a Tan” in Portuguese
There are a few ways to express the idea of getting a tan in Portuguese:
- Se bronzear (reflexive verb)
- Pegar um bronze
- Pegar uma cor
The first option sounds more formal, while the other two feel young and commonly used today.
Examples:
- Passei o dia na praia me bronzeando. = I spent the day at the beach getting a tan.
- Quero pegar um bronze quando estiver no Brasil. = I want to get a tan when I am in Brazil.
- Vamos à praia pegar uma cor? = Let’s go to the beach and get a tan.
Beach Shopping Tip: Bring Small Bills
In Brazil, you’ll find people selling just about everything at the beach—hats, bikinis, sunglasses, sunscreen, toys, sarongs, jewelry, you name it!
If you plan to do some shopping, be sure to carry small bills. Vendors often don’t have change, which can be frustrating, but it’s part of the experience. Bring smaller notes, and you’ll avoid the hassle while enjoying the fun of browsing beachside treats and souvenirs.
🗣️ Shopping Vocabulary in Portuguese
A long, long time ago I recorded a video at the beach in Recife — check it out here:
Boa praia 🏖️🌞🌊
