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  3. Slang

malandro

English translation: spiv

18:59 Jul 9, 2006
Portuguese to English translations [Non-PRO]
Slang
Portuguese term or phrase: malandro
Brazilian Portuguese slang term for a likeable rogue having originated during the hey-day of Samba in Rio in the 1920's.
Steve
English translation:spiv
Explanation:
This is the closest English slang that comes to mind - but it dates from the 1940s / 50s.
Selected response from:

Jennifer Levey
Chile
Local time: 06:30
Grading comment
This answer carries a certain personality - it's what I had hit upon originally but the client was unsure as the translation was for the American market.
3 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
4 +4scoundrel
Eneida Martins
5player
Amy Duncan (X)
4spiv
Jennifer Levey
3smart ass
Lori Utecht/Vívian M Alves


  

Answers


13 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
spiv


Explanation:
This is the closest English slang that comes to mind - but it dates from the 1940s / 50s.


    Reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spiv
Jennifer Levey
Chile
Local time: 06:30
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
Grading comment
This answer carries a certain personality - it's what I had hit upon originally but the client was unsure as the translation was for the American market.
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20 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
smart ass


Explanation:
Depende muito do contexto e nível de linguagem. "Smart ass" pode ser uma solução. - Vivian

Lori Utecht/Vívian M Alves
United States
Local time: 06:30
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish, Native in PortuguesePortuguese
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17 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +4
scoundrel


Explanation:
I believe this is how the term is usually translated.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 24 mins (2006-07-09 19:24:03 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

malandro - street tough, hoodlum, scoundrel, con man,bad guy

According to a "capoeira dictionary" found on www.capoeira.htmlplanet.com/capoeira_dictionary.htm - 27k -

Eneida Martins
Brazil
Local time: 07:30
Native speaker of: Portuguese

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Karen Haggerty: Yes. Hoodlum if he's criminal-like.
25 mins
agree  Henrique Magalhaes
36 mins
agree  Claudio Mazotti
1 hr
agree  Kemper Combs
19 hrs
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1 hr   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5
player


Explanation:
This is the up-to-date term for a malandro! :o)

Ex. "That guy thinks he's a player, but everybody has his number."

Amy Duncan (X)
Brazil
Local time: 07:30
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 24
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