“Porra” can mean anger, surprise or delight. It’s all in the tone.

The 10 most-used swear words in Brazil, ranked from nuclear to Grandma-safe. Tap “Hear it” to hear each one, or tap a red bar to reveal a word.

1. 1
   filho da puta FEE-lyo da POO-taSon of a bitch.
   Nuclear ▶ Hear it
2. 2
   vai tomar no cu vai to-MAR no KOOUp yours. Very strong.
   Nuclear ▶ Hear it
3. 3
   caralho ka-RAH-lyoDick; “f***!”
   Very rude ▶ Hear it
4. 4
   puta que pariu POO-ta kee pa-REE-ooThe whore who gave birth! (Holy sh*t)
   Very rude ▶ Hear it
5. 5
   foda-se FOH-da-seeF*** it.
   Very rude ▶ Hear it
7. 6
   porra POH-haDamn! (slang for semen)
   Rude ▶ Hear it
8. 7
   merda MEHR-daShit.
   Mild ▶ Hear it
9. 8
   otário oh-TAH-ryoSucker, fool.
   Mild ▶ Hear it
10. 9
    babaca ba-BAH-kaJerk.
    Mild ▶ Hear it
11. 10
    cacete ka-SEH-cheeDamn! (a club, or a penis)
    Mild ▶ Hear it