Meu Deus
MEH-oo DAY-oos
How to say itPart of: Reactions
“Oh my God; my goodness.”
Meu Deus is oh my God: shock, dismay, delight, or plain emphasis. Ai, meu Deus (oh dear God) is the worried version; meu Deus do céu (my God in heaven) the big one; nossa is the short cousin, from Nossa Senhora. Brazilians, religious or not, say it all day, and nobody takes it as blasphemy.
Looking for more Brazilian slang? Brazilian slang: the guide
EverydayAll Brazilalso: ai, meu Deus, meu Deus do céu, mdsReply: Pois é.
How Brazilians use it
“Meu Deus, que susto!”
“My God, what a fright!”
Shock.
“Ai, meu Deus, esqueci a reunião.”
“Oh dear God, I forgot the meeting.”
Dismay.
“Meu Deus do céu, que lindo!”
“My God in heaven, how beautiful!”
Delight, the big form.
“Mds, você viu isso?”
“OMG, did you see that?”
Typed; mds is meu Deus.
How to reply
- Pois é.Indeed.
- Calma!Easy!
Similar expressions
Brazil vs Portugal
The same in Portugal, where meu Deus and ai, Jesus are both common.
Common mistakes
- Don’t pronounce Deus like “deuce”: DAY-oos, two syllables.
- Don’t worry about offending: in Brazil meu Deus is as mild as “my goodness”.
- Don’t confuse it with graças a Deus (thank God) or se Deus quiser (God willing), which are hopes, not surprise.
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of meu Deus?
Oh my God, my goodness: meu is my and Deus is God. It covers shock, dismay, delight and emphasis, and is as mild in Brazil as “my goodness” in English.
What language is meu Deus?
Portuguese. The Spanish is Dios mío, the Italian mio Dio. In Brazil it is said MEH-oo DAY-oos.
What is the difference between nossa and meu Deus?
Both say wow. Nossa is the shorter, lighter one, from Nossa Senhora (Our Lady); meu Deus is a touch stronger, and ai, meu Deus adds worry.
What does mds mean in a text?
Mds is meu Deus typed short: OMG. It sits beside kkkk and vlw in Brazilian chats.