How to Say Merry Christmas in Portuguese and More Greetings!

Just have in mind that we don’t have snow and low temperatures in Brazil. And actually, during Christmas the season in Brazil is summer. Can you imagine Santa Claus sweating? hahaha

Christmas Vocabulary Examples

Time to practice what we just learnt with some examples:

A véspera de Natal

• Na véspera de Natal, nós sempre assistimos a um filme natalino.
• On Christmas Eve, we always watch a Christmas movie.

A ceia de Natal

• A minha avó prepara a melhor ceia de Natal.
• My grandmother prepares the best Christmas Eve supper.

O espírito natalino

• O espírito natalino enche o coração de todos com alegria.
• The Christmas spirit fills everyone’s hearts with joy.

O Papai Noel

• As crianças deixam biscoitos para o Papai Noel na lareira.
• Children leave cookies for Santa Claus on the fireplace.

A chaminé

• O Papai Noel desce pela chaminé para entregar os presentes.
• Santa Claus comes down the chimney to deliver presents.

A lareira

• Nós nos reunimos perto da lareira para nos aquecer.
• We gather near the fireplace to stay warm.

A rena

• A rena mais famosa do Papai Noel é o Rudolph.
• Santa Claus’s most famous reindeer is Rudolph.

O trenó

• O Papai Noel viaja pelo mundo em um trenó mágico.
• Santa Claus travels around the world in a magical sleigh.

Os cânticos natalinos

• Vamos cantar cânticos natalinos na praça esta noite.
• Let’s sing Christmas carols in the square tonight.

A decoração de Natal

• Minha mãe adora montar a decoração de Natal.
• My mom loves setting up the Christmas decoration.

Os enfeites de Natal

• Colocamos enfeites de Natal coloridos na árvore.
• We put colorful Christmas ornaments on the tree.

A árvore de Natal

• Montamos a árvore de Natal no início de dezembro.
• We set up the Christmas tree at the beginning of December.

As luzes de Natal/ Pisca-pisca

• As luzes de Natal deixam a cidade mais bonita.
• The Christmas lights make the city look prettier.

O presente

• Ganhei um presente incrível este ano.
• I got an amazing gift this year.

As meias

• Pendurei meias perto da lareira para o Papai Noel.
• I hung socks near the fireplace for Santa Claus.

O boneco de neve

• As crianças fizeram um boneco de neve no quintal.
• The children made a snowman in the backyard.

O floco de neve

• Os flocos de neve caem suavemente no Natal.
• The snowflakes fall softly at Christmas.

A vela

• Acendemos uma vela para criar um clima aconchegante.
• We lit a candle to create a cozy atmosphere.

A guirlanda de Natal

• A guirlanda de Natal foi pendurada na porta da frente.
• The Christmas wreath was hung on the front door.

Os sinos

• Ouvi os sinos tocando na igreja.
• I heard the bells ringing at the church.

Anjo

• Colocamos um anjo no topo da árvore de Natal.
• We placed an angel at the top of the Christmas tree.

O biscoito de gengibre

• As crianças decoraram biscoitos de gengibre em formato de estrela.
• The kids decorated gingerbread cookies shaped like stars.

A estrela de Belém

• A estrela de Belém brilhou forte sobre o presépio.
• The Star of Bethlehem shone brightly over the nativity scene.

O presépio

• O presépio na praça atrai muitos visitantes.
• The nativity scene in the square attracts many visitors.

A manjedoura

• O menino Jesus foi colocado em uma manjedoura simples.
• Baby Jesus was placed in a simple manger.

Os três Reis Magos

• Os três Reis Magos trouxeram presentes preciosos.
• The Magi brought precious gifts.

A Missa do Galo

• Minha família participa da Missa do Galo todos os anos.
• My family attends Midnight Mass every year.

O amigo secreto/ o amigo oculto

• Organizamos um amigo secreto no trabalho este ano.
• We organized a Secret Santa at work this year.

Christmas Songs in Portuguese

Do you know you can sing Singing has been always a good way to practice a language! So let’s get envolved by the Christmas spirit and let’s Here’s a list of Christmas songs in Portuguese that are perfect for practicing Christmas vocabulary and getting into the festive spirit. These songs are a mix of traditional and modern, allowing students to explore different styles while improving their Portuguese!

🎄 Traditional Christmas Songs in Portuguese:

1. Noite Feliz (Silent Night)
   • A classic carol, perfect for learning vocabulary related to peace and Christmas traditions.
   • Keywords: noite (night), feliz (happy), paz (peace), luz (light).
2. Então é Natal (Happy Xmas (War Is Over) – Brazilian Version)
   • Sung by Simone, this iconic Brazilian Christmas song is a must-listen.
   • Keywords: amor (love), esperança (hope), futuro (future).
3. Vem Chegando o Natal (It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas – Brazilian Version)
   • A cheerful adaptation filled with holiday vocabulary.
   • Keywords: alegria (joy), presentes (gifts), Papai Noel (Santa Claus).
4. Bate o Sino (Jingle Bells – Brazilian Version)
   • A fun, easy-to-sing song for kids and beginners.
   • Keywords: sino (bell), neve (snow), Natal (Christmas).
5. O Velhinho – Octávio Babo Filho was the compositor.
   • A playful song about Santa Claus, great for young learners.
   • Keywords: velhinho (old man), bondade (kindness), trenó (sleigh).

💡 Tips for Students:

• Sing along: Singing helps improve pronunciation and intonation.
• Translate the lyrics you don’t understand: Look up new words and phrases for better comprehension.
• Make a playlist: Create a dedicated Christmas playlist to immerse yourself in the language and festive vibes.

Practice Your Christmas Portuguese with Our Podcast 🎧

Want to fix the Christmas vocabulary you’ve just learned in this Dica and start using it more naturally? We’ve created a special Christmas in Portuguese podcast to help you turn words into real listening practice. In this episode, you’ll hear festive vocabulary and expressions in context, making it much easier to remember, recognize, and reuse them when speaking Portuguese.

And the best part: you choose how you want to listen. If your goal is to focus only on native Brazilian Portuguese, you’ll find a Portuguese-only version of the podcast inside the Portuguese version of this Dica. If you prefer learning through another language, this episode is also available in Spanish and French, so you can keep learning Portuguese using the language you feel most comfortable with.

So put on your headphones, grab a coffee (or a panetone), and let Portuguese Christmas sounds help you lock in your new vocabulary — wherever you are.

Let the spirit of Christmas inspire your Portuguese learning journey! 🎁

How is Christmas celebrated in your country? With snow and winter or with sun and summer? Get in touch to let us know!

For you, what’s the best part about Christmas? For me it is the food!! And Brazilian Christmas food is the best!

Well, folks!!…
Rio & Learn, our Portuguese School, wishes you a Feliz Natal and may all your wishes come true!
A big kiss from Rio de Janeiro to the whole World!

Click on the links below to see more Dicas
Christmas in Brazil
Brazilian Christmas Food
Brazilian Christmas Songs
Happy New Year in Portuguese
Carioca’s New Year

Online Academic Coordinator at Rio & Learn Portuguese School.
Experienced educational coordinator and teacher since 2007, adept in curriculum development, creating physical and digital educational materials, and leveraging online platforms to enhance learning outcomes