Abraços – Bilingual Lyrics Portuguese/English

• By: Calema, Antonio Mendes Ferreira, Fradique Mendes Ferreira, Nellson de Sousa, Erdzan Saidov, Nelson Gilberto Fortes Heleno

Lyrics & Translation

Learning a language can be a beautiful journey, and Calema's 'Abraços' is a perfect companion for those starting with Portuguese. The song uses clear, everyday language to tell a moving story of kindness. Its repetitive and heartfelt chorus makes it easy to sing along and learn key phrases. What makes 'Abraços' special is its universal message of finding happiness in connecting with others, a theme that transcends language barriers and makes the learning process more meaningful.

[English]

The month has already started

The glacier is empty

Bills to pay at the post office

I go into the crowd

Faces that rush through my day

My smile goes the wrong way

...

Today I choose to give

Those things that make me happy

Now I present my new job

Today I sell hugs on this street

And in return, I want your smile

Just to make your day better

Will you say no?

Today I sell hugs on this street

And in exchange, I only want your smile

Just to make your day better

To improve

Same path, a different look

Same steps, same place

I'm no longer alone in the wrong way

...

I ran so much, walked so much

I was lost, and now I know

What it’s like to be lonely in a crowd

...

Today I choose to give

Those things that make me happy

Now I present my new job

Today I sell hugs on this street

And in exchange, I want your smile

Just to make your day better

Will you say no?

Today I sell hugs on this street

And in exchange, I only want your smile

Just to make your day better

To improve

I hope you accept what I give

Hum sca guada bô

I want you to accept love

Bi lelê muê

Today I sell hugs on this street

And in exchange, I want your smile

Just to make your day better

Will you say no?

Today I sell hugs on this street

And in exchange, I only want your smile

Just to make your day better

To improve

...

[Portuguese]

O mês já começou

Geleira está vazia

No correio as contas pra pagar

Vou na multidão

Rostos que atropelam o meu dia

O meu sorriso vai em contramão

Hoje escolho dar

Aquilo que me faz feliz

Agora apresento o meu novo emprego

Hoje eu vendo abraços nesta rua

E em troca eu quero o teu sorriso

Só pro teu dia melhorar

Será que vais negar?

Hoje eu vendo abraços nesta rua

E em troca eu só quero o teu sorriso

Só pro teu dia melhorar

Melhorar

Mesmo caminho, um outro olhar

Os mesmos passos, mesmo lugar

Já não estou só em contramão

Tanto corri, tanto andei

Estive perdido, e agora eu sei

O que é estar sozinho numa multidão

Hoje escolho dar

Aquilo que me faz feliz

Agora apresento o meu novo emprego

Hoje eu vendo abraços nesta rua

E em troca eu quero o teu sorriso

Só pro teu dia melhorar

Será que vais negar?

Hoje eu vendo abraços nesta rua

E em troca eu só quero o teu sorriso

Só pro teu dia melhorar

Melhorar

Espero que aceites o que eu dou

Hum sca guada bô

Eu quero que aceites o amor

Bi lelê muê

Hoje eu vendo abraços nesta rua

E em troca eu quero o teu sorriso

Só pro teu dia melhorar

Será que vais negar?

Hoje eu vendo abraços nesta rua

E em troca eu só quero o teu sorriso

Só pro teu dia melhorar

Melhorar

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
mês /mɛs/ A1	noun - month
sorriso /soˈʁizu/ A1	noun - smile
abraços /aˈbɾasuz/ A2	noun - hugs
feliz /feˈliz/ A1	adjective - happy
dia /ˈdɪɐ/ A1	noun - day
trabalho /tɾaˈbaʎu/ A2	noun - work
caminho /kaˈmiɲu/ A2	noun - path
olhar /oˈʎaʁ/ B1	verb - to look
escolher /eskoˈʎeʁ/ B1	verb - to choose
melhorar /meʎoˈɾaʁ/ B1	verb - to improve
perdido /peʁˈdʒidu/ B2	adjective - lost
multidão /muliˈtɐ̃w/ B2	noun - crowd
negar /neˈɡaʁ/ B2	verb - to deny
saber /saˈbeʁ/ B2	verb - to know
troca /ˈtɾɔkɐ/ B2	noun - exchange

Key Grammar Structures

• Hoje eu vendo abraços nesta rua

  ➔ Present tense of the verb 'vender' (to sell) in the first person singular

  ➔ This illustrates the use of the **present tense** to express an action happening now.

• Vou na multidão

  ➔ Use of the verb 'ir' (to go) in the present tense, with an informal preposition 'na' (in the)

  ➔ This shows how to express movement towards a place using the verb 'ir' with a preposition.

• E em troca eu quero o teu sorriso

  ➔ Use of the preposition 'em troca de' (in exchange for) to introduce the idea of reciprocity

  ➔ This phrase introduces the concept of exchanging something, here 'your smile,' implying a reciprocal act.

• Mesmo caminho, um outro olhar

  ➔ Use of 'mesmo' (same) as an adjective to describe 'caminho' (path), and 'um outro' (a different)

  ➔ This illustrates how to express similarity and difference using 'mesmo' (same) and 'um outro' (another / different).

• Eu quero que aceites o amor

  ➔ Use of the subjunctive mood in 'que aceites' (that you accept) to express desire or wish

  ➔ This demonstrates the use of the **subjunctive mood** to express desire or wishes in dependent clauses.

• Eu quero que aceites o amor

  ➔ Use of the pronoun 'que' to introduce a subordinate clause expressing a wish

  ➔ This highlights how to connect clauses to express a desire using 'que' as a conjunction.