Vamos lá!
encouraging, Brazil
To say "come on" in Brazil you can use Vamos lá!, which urges someone to get going. Friends say Bora! It is also called Ah, vai!
Meaning: urging someone to hurry or try (phrase)
Ways to say it
| Portuguese | Note |
|---|---|
| Vamos lá! | encouraging, Brazil |
| Bora! | casual, slang |
| Ah, vai! | disbelief |
Bora! comes from vamos embora and means "let us go". It is a very informal call to action.
Which one should you use?
Ah, vai! is used for disbelief, like "oh, come on, really?" It does not urge anyone to hurry.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The command Anda logo! exists, but Brazilians more often use Vamos lá and Bora.
Did you know?
- Bora is shortened from vamos embora and is also heard in Portugal in some regions, but it is most associated with Brazil.
Examples in context
- Vamos lá, você consegue!Come on, you can do it!
- Bora, que está tarde!Come on, it is late!
- Ah, vai, não acredito!Oh come on, I do not believe it!
Example conversation
Marcos encourages his sister Paula before a race in Florianópolis.
- MarcosVamos lá, Paula!Come on, Paula!
- PaulaEstou nervosa.I am nervous.
- MarcosBora, você treinou o mês inteiro.Come on, you trained all month.
