Vixe
VEE-shee
How to say itPart of: Regional
“Uh-oh; yikes; oh dear.”
Vixe is the north-east’s “uh-oh”: a worried, amused or impressed exclamation, from Virgem (Maria), the Virgin. Vixe Maria is the full form; vish the quick one. It is Bahia, Pernambuco and Ceará above all, spread to the rest of Brazil by music and comedy. It usually comes before bad news or a lot of work.
Looking for more Brazilian slang? Brazilian slang: the guide
InformalThe North-eastalso: vish, vixe Maria, vixiReply: Pois é.
How Brazilians use it
“Vixe, esqueci a carteira em casa.”
“Uh-oh, I left my wallet at home.”
A worried wince.
“Vixe Maria, que fila!”
“Oh dear, what a queue!”
The full form; dismay.
“Vish, essa prova vai ser difícil.”
“Yikes, this exam is going to be hard.”
The quick form.
“Vixe, que lindo!”
“Wow, how beautiful!”
Impressed, for once.
How to reply
- Pois é.Indeed.
- Calma.Easy.
Similar expressions
Brazil vs Portugal
Brazilian, and north-eastern above all. Portugal says ai or eh pá.
Common mistakes
- Don’t say it like “vix”: VEE-shee, two syllables.
- Don’t hear it as a swear word: it is the Virgin Mary, softened.
- Don’t read it as alarm every time: vixe, que lindo is admiration.
Frequently asked questions
What does vixe mean in Portuguese?
Uh-oh, yikes, oh dear: an exclamation of worry, dismay or surprise, from the Brazilian north-east. Vixe Maria is the full form, vish the quick one.
Where does vixe come from?
From Virgem Maria, the Virgin Mary, worn down to vixe. It belongs to Bahia, Pernambuco and the rest of the north-east, and has spread through music and comedy.
How do you pronounce vixe?
VEE-shee: the x is “sh”, and there are two syllables, with the stress on the first.
What is the difference between vixe and eita?
Eita is surprise of any colour, heard all over Brazil. Vixe leans towards worry and is north-eastern, though everyone understands it.