jeitinho brasileiro

Portuguese

FWOTD – 7 September 2022

Etymology

Literally, “little Brazilian way”; jeitinho is the diminutive of jeito (“way”), in this sense from the collocation dar um jeito (“to find a way [to solve a problem]”).

Pronunciation

 

• (Brazil) IPA^(key): /ʒejˈt͡ʃĩ.ɲu bɾa.ziˈle(j).ɾu/ [ʒeɪ̯ˈt͡ʃĩ.j̃u bɾa.ziˈle(ɪ̯).ɾu]

• (Brazil) IPA^(key): /ʒejˈt͡ʃĩ.ɲu bɾa.ziˈle(j).ɾu/ [ʒeɪ̯ˈt͡ʃĩ.j̃u bɾa.ziˈle(ɪ̯).ɾu]
  • (Southern Brazil) IPA^(key): /ʒejˈt͡ʃi.ɲo bɾa.ziˈle(j).ɾo/ [ʒeɪ̯ˈt͡ʃi.ɲo bɾa.ziˈle(ɪ̯).ɾo]

 

• (Portugal) IPA^(key): /ʒɐjˈti.ɲu bɾɐ.ziˈlɐj.ɾu/ [ʒɐjˈti.ɲu βɾɐ.ziˈlɐj.ɾu]

• (Portugal) IPA^(key): /ʒɐjˈti.ɲu bɾɐ.ziˈlɐj.ɾu/ [ʒɐjˈti.ɲu βɾɐ.ziˈlɐj.ɾu]
  • (Northern Portugal) IPA^(key): /ʒejˈti.ɲu bɾɐ.ziˈlej.ɾu/ [ʒejˈti.ɲu βɾɐ.ziˈlej.ɾu]
  • (Central Portugal) IPA^(key): /ʒejˈti.ɲu bɾɐ.ziˈlej.ɾu/ [ʒejˈti.ɲu βɾɐ.ziˈlej.ɾu]
  • (Southern Portugal) IPA^(key): /ʒeˈti.ɲu bɾɐ.ziˈle.ɾu/ [ʒeˈti.ɲu βɾɐ.ziˈle.ɾu]

Noun

jeitinho brasileiro m (usually uncountable, plural jeitinhos brasileiros)

1. (Brazil) the Brazilian cultural practice of finding quick-and-dirty, pragmatic or opportunistic solutions to problems, with little or no regard for formalities, bureaucratic procedures, ethical implications or long-term effects; the Brazilian way of cutting corners.

   Synonym: jeitinho

   • 2016, André Luís Belini, Crônicas De Um Inconformado, Clube de Autores, page 108:

     Hoje vamos falar um pouco do tão valorizado, quase um patrimônio nacional: o jeitinho brasileiro.

     Today we will talk a bit about the cherished - almost part of our national heritage - Brazilian way.

Usage notes

• The term is sometimes positive, sometimes negative and sometimes used without passing judgement. Similar concepts include malandragem (more commonly associated with taking advantage of others) and desenrascanço (which emphasises the creativity of finding impromptu solutions).