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The Word GRINGO is NOT Offensive in Brazil

posted on February 7, 2009

That’s right, the word gringo is not offensive in Brazil. It simply means foreigner. It is a friendly and easy way to refer to foreigners.

 The reason I bring up this topic is because it is inevitable for gringos to be called gringos when they visit Brazil 🙂 And it is totally ok. Please do not feel uncomfortable with the nickname. If you date a Brazilian, you may even be called minha gringuinha (if you are a girl) or meu gringuinho (if you are a guy), which are very affectionate terms 🙂

 

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About Luciana Lage

Luciana Lage founded Street Smart Brazil drawing on her passion for Brazilian Portuguese language and culture. Luciana has also taught Portuguese at University of California, Berkeley, and currently teaches at the University of San Francisco.

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Comments

  1. Rafael

    April 28, 2020 at 5:11 am

    You guys are thinking about the spanish-speaking countries, and that’s a huge mistake because brazilians DO NOT speak spanish, so the word have a different meaning here in Brazil.

    This article is right, the word gringo in Brazil just means foreigner, so if you’re from US, Japan, India, Nigeria, Mexico… you’re a gringo (or foreigner).

    And it doesn’t matter you skin color either, you can be a black dude from Ghana or a Japanese man and you’re still a gringo, because you are a foreigner.

    Reply
  2. Newn

    October 18, 2018 at 7:25 am

    If you have to predicate your explanation of “dont be offended, but…” – you know it’s going to be offensive.

    Like when someone says “I’m not being racist, but….”, “I’m not being sexist, but….”, or “I’m not homophobic, but….” – you know something racist/sexist/homophobic is about to follow.

    Unfortunately, Brazilians are never called gringo or treated as one – so they dont really have the necessary experience to say whether or not it is offensive.

    It is offensive. You might not think so, but it doesnt matter you think because it is not you who is addressed as such. Brazilians, if you would like to avoid offending a foreigner, just avoid this word – simple. Maybe it is offensive, maybe it isn’t – but the fact is, many of us DON’T LIKE IT so just don’t say it.

    Reply
    • AFter What

      February 14, 2019 at 2:08 am

      why should we mold our culture to your liking?

      Reply
    • Michael

      December 30, 2019 at 6:50 am

      I’m in agreement with Newn, this is an offensive term. The intention may be good in saying ‘gringo’ but that is besides the point. These terms hurt people and mark you as an outsider.

      Here in Europe if you call someone a foreigner you can be quickly labelled as racist, despite your best intentions.

      Furthermore I meet people from many different countries here in Ireland and I know they expect to treated with respect. I’ve even heard people become indignant at the slightest hint of being interpreted as a foreigner. Imagine if I were to use a term like branquinho or moreninho, even if I meant well it wouldn’t be well received.

      I understand there are cultural differences but respect and dignity cut both ways across all borders.

      Reply
    • Arthur

      May 21, 2022 at 7:39 pm

      it’s not offensive and it doesn’t matter if you think it is, after all, the offense is in the speaker’s intention. stop being a crybaby.

      Reply

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