Mineiros speak Portuguese like other Brazilians, but, for some, the mineiro accent can be difficult to understand. Middle-class young people usually speak at least some English. Some expressions are often linked to the concept of the mineiro accent. Examples:
uai - used liberally as a form of emphasis, often at the end of sentences. It sounds like the English word why, but is basically meaningless and can be ignored. It is also equivalent to ué (less mineiro) and can be replaced for ora (more formal).
trem - locals use the word for train to mean thing or stuff, as in "Me passa aquele trem ali" ("Pass me that thing over there").
The Most Frequently Asked Travel Questions about Minas Gerais
Where To Stay & Best Hotels in Minas Gerais - updated May 2024
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