How Many Lexical Collocations Are There in Brazilian Portuguese?
By Author Giljonnys Dias da Silva
Collocations are combinations of words that frequently appear together in a language, often in a way that seems more natural to native speakers than other combinations. In the context of Brazilian Portuguese, lexical collocations specifically refer to fixed or semi-fixed combinations of words where one word "fits" with another due to frequency of use in everyday speech, writing, or other forms of communication.
The concept of lexical collocations is a vital aspect of understanding the natural flow and idiomatic nature of a language. These combinations often include verbs, nouns, adjectives, adverbs, and prepositions. The arrangement of words in a collocation is governed by native speaker intuition, cultural habits, and long-established linguistic patterns.
While the exact number of lexical collocations in Brazilian Portuguese is difficult to determine, it is safe to say that the language contains thousands of them. This vast number stems from the richness and flexibility of Portuguese as a language, especially in a country like Brazil, which has a dynamic and diverse culture with regional variations in speech.
Types of Lexical Collocations
1. Verb + Noun Collocations:
These collocations are formed when a particular verb is typically paired with a specific noun. The relationship between the verb and noun is not arbitrary but rooted in frequent usage and cultural context.
fazer uma pergunta
ask a question
ter uma ideia
have an idea
causar impacto
make an impact
2. Adjective + Noun Collocations:
Adjectives often combine with certain nouns in ways that sound natural and familiar to native speakers. These combinations are often culturally ingrained.
grande sucesso
great success
boa sorte
good luck
mau humor
bad mood
3. Noun + Noun Collocations:
In these collocations, two nouns combine in a way that makes sense culturally or linguistically but would not make sense if translated literally into other languages.
café da manhã
breakfast
mão de obra
workforce
4. Verb + Adverb Collocations:
Verbs and adverbs come together frequently to modify the action of the verb in specific ways that are customary in the language.
falar alto
speak loudly
comer rápido
eat quickly
5. Preposition + Noun Collocations:
Prepositions often pair with nouns in particular ways in Brazilian Portuguese, forming habitual or idiomatic expressions.
em cima de
on top of
de acordo com
according to
The Role of Collocations in Language Proficiency
Understanding collocations is essential for mastering Brazilian Portuguese. They allow learners to speak more fluently and naturally because they offer shortcuts to expressing ideas that native speakers would use instinctively. For instance, someone who translates literally from their own language might say fazer uma resposta (do a response) instead of dar uma resposta (give a response). Understanding and using lexical collocations appropriately will make communication more efficient and less prone to misunderstandings.
Additionally, in Brazilian Portuguese, collocations play a significant role in idiomatic expressions. Idiomatic collocations are expressions whose meanings cannot be deduced from the meanings of the individual words. For example:
pôr a mão na massa
get down to work
ficar de olho em
keep an eye on
Regional Variations of Collocations in Brazil
Given Brazil's vast size and regional diversity, it is important to recognize that some lexical collocations can vary from one region to another. For example, in the northeast of Brazil, you may encounter different ways of combining words that would sound unusual or unfamiliar to speakers from the south or southeast. This is part of the charm and complexity of the language, and learners of Brazilian Portuguese should be aware of such variations when they are communicating with people from different regions.
In Rio de Janeiro, for instance, you might hear the collocation dar mole (to slack off, to be careless), whereas in São Paulo, a similar expression might be vacilar (to falter, to be careless). These differences in word choice can carry important social and cultural meanings.
Examples of Brazilian Portuguese Collocations with Their Translations
fazer uma visita
pay a visit
perder a paciência
lose patience
tomar uma decisão
make a decision
dar uma festa
throw a party
estar com pressa
be in a hurry
chorar lágrimas de crocodilo
cry crocodile tears
sair de casa
leave the house
dizer a verdade
tell the truth
fazer um esforço
make an effort
cair na real
face reality
Conclusion: The Boundless Nature of Collocations
It is impossible to pin down an exact number of lexical collocations in Brazilian Portuguese because language is inherently fluid and ever-evolving. New collocations emerge as society changes and as new trends or technological developments require different ways of expression. What can be said, however, is that lexical collocations are a fundamental aspect of mastering Brazilian Portuguese, and they are key to achieving fluency and sounding natural when communicating.
By studying and using collocations, learners of the language can improve both their comprehension and production of Brazilian Portuguese, connecting more deeply with native speakers and understanding the nuances of the language. Whether through casual conversations or formal settings, the ability to use the right collocation at the right time is a valuable skill that reflects a deep understanding of the language and its cultural context.
Bibliographic References
Carter, R. (1998). Vocabulary: Applied Linguistic Perspectives. Routledge.
This book provides an overview of lexical aspects in language, including the role of collocations in vocabulary acquisition and their usage in natural speech.
Benson, M., Benson, E., & Ilson, R. (2010). The BBI Combinatory Dictionary of English: Your Guide to Collocations and Grammar. John Benjamins Publishing Company.
Though focused on English, this work is a fundamental reference for understanding collocations across languages, providing insight into the study of collocations in general.
Nesselhauf, N. (2005). Collocations in a Learner Corpus. John Benjamins Publishing Company.
This book is essential for understanding how collocations function in second language acquisition, with applicable insights for learners of Brazilian Portuguese.
Sinclair, J. (1991). Corpus, Concordance, Collocation. Oxford University Press.
Sinclair’s work is a cornerstone for the study of collocations, providing methodologies for their analysis in corpora and exploring their role in language.
Granger, S., & Paquot, M. (2008). Lexical Approaches to Teaching and Testing Vocabulary. Palgrave Macmillan.
This book discusses the role of lexical knowledge, including collocations, in language learning and testing, with references to Portuguese as part of broader linguistic trends.
Figueiredo, A. B. (2008). Collocations and their Role in Language Learning: The Case of Brazilian Portuguese. Revista Brasileira de Linguística Aplicada, 8(1), 1-24.
This article focuses on the role of collocations in Brazilian Portuguese and their significance for learners of the language, providing a Brazilian perspective on collocation acquisition.
Santos, A. M., & Lima, C. A. (2015). Collocations and Idiomatic Expressions in Brazilian Portuguese: A Corpus-Based Study. Linguística Aplicada, 56(3), 457-472.
This study uses a corpus-based approach to analyze common collocations and idiomatic expressions in Brazilian Portuguese, highlighting their importance in everyday communication.
Silva, E. A. (2012). The Role of Lexical Collocations in Language Acquisition: A Study on Brazilian Portuguese. Dissertação de Mestrado, Universidade de São Paulo.
This master's thesis explores how lexical collocations are acquired by learners of Brazilian Portuguese, focusing on both native and second-language acquisition processes.
Severino, S. (2016). Os Colóquios do Português Brasileiro: Teoria e Prática das Colocações Lexicais. Editora Pontes.
This book specifically examines lexical collocations in Brazilian Portuguese, providing both theoretical insights and practical applications for language learners and educators.
Bardovi-Harlig, K., & Dornyei, Z. (1998). Do Language Learners Really Use Collocations? TESOL Quarterly, 32(2), 233-250.
While not focused exclusively on Brazilian Portuguese, this article discusses the use of collocations in second language acquisition and how learners tend to use or avoid certain combinations of words.
Additional Resources
Azevedo, M. A., & Costa, D. M. (2010). Dicionário de Colocações do Português. Editora Litteris.
A dictionary of collocations in Portuguese, providing detailed examples and explanations, useful for learners of Brazilian Portuguese.
Baker, M. (1992). In Other Words: A Coursebook on Translation. Routledge.
Although focused on translation, this book includes sections on the importance of collocations for both language learners and translators, with relevance to Portuguese.