neutral

Nossa!

Literal meaning: "Our (Lady) — short for "Nossa Senhora""

Wow / Gosh (Brazil)

NOH-sah

What does it mean?

"Nossa!" is a hugely common exclamation of surprise in Brazil, short for "Nossa Senhora" (Our Lady) but used constantly by everyone regardless of religious belief — much like "gosh" or "wow" lost its literal meaning in English.

How to use it

Universal and safe in every context, including with strangers and elders.

Example sentences

Wow, I had no idea.

Nossa, eu não sabia.

Gosh, that's a lot.

Nossa, quanta coisa.

Related phrases

Caraca!

Wow / No way (Brazil)

Pois é

Yeah, exactly (Brazil)

More brazil-everyday phrases

Dar um jeito

To find a way / Figure it out (Brazil)

A gente

We / Us (informal Brazil)

Pois é

Yeah, exactly (Brazil)

Valeu

Thanks / Cool (Brazil)

Translate using real Brazilian Portuguese

HablaFlow translates with authentic phrasing like "Nossa!" — not robotic textbook Portuguese.

Try Free — 10 Translations

Back to all phrases

neutral

Nossa!

Literal meaning: "Our (Lady) — short for "Nossa Senhora""

Wow / Gosh (Brazil)

NOH-sah

What does it mean?

How to use it

Universal and safe in every context, including with strangers and elders.

Example sentences

Wow, I had no idea.

Nossa, eu não sabia.

Gosh, that's a lot.

Nossa, quanta coisa.

Related phrases

Caraca!

Wow / No way (Brazil)

Pois é

Yeah, exactly (Brazil)

More brazil-everyday phrases

Dar um jeito

To find a way / Figure it out (Brazil)

A gente

We / Us (informal Brazil)

Pois é

Yeah, exactly (Brazil)

Valeu

Thanks / Cool (Brazil)

Translate using real Brazilian Portuguese

HablaFlow translates with authentic phrasing like "Nossa!" — not robotic textbook Portuguese.

Try Free — 10 Translations

Back to all phrases