Oi
casual, Brazil
For "hi" in Brazil the usual word is Oi. Friends also say E aí?, "what's up", and young men often greet each other with Fala!
Meaning: casual greeting (phrase)
Ways to say it
| Portuguese | Note |
|---|---|
| Oi | casual, Brazil |
| E aí? | casual, slang |
| Fala! | slang, to a man |
Oi is safe with anyone. E aí? and Fala! are relaxed and best kept for friends and people your own age.
Which one should you use?
Fala comes from the verb falar, to speak, and works like "talk to me". It is especially common among men.
How do you pronounce it?
Oi is a single syllable, close to English "oy", and the stress is on the o.
Did you know?
- The slang reply Beleza, literally "beauty", is one of the most common casual answers in Brazil.
Examples in context
- Oi, tudo bom?Hi, how are you?
- E aí, beleza?What's up, all good?
- Fala, cara! Quanto tempo!Hey, man! Long time no see!
Example conversation
Daniel runs into his friend Felipe outside a football stadium in Belo Horizonte.
- DanielE aí, Felipe!What's up, Felipe!
- FelipeFala, Daniel! Beleza?Hey, Daniel! All good?
- DanielBeleza. Vamos entrar?All good. Shall we go in?
