“I will learn Brazilian Portuguese!”
“Sure, when pigs fly!”
I hope that won’t be your case, but anyways, how do you say that in Brazilian Portuguese? If you are at a level where you can already translate things, could you say "quando porcos voarem"? Yes, you could, and people would probably understand what you mean. But if you want to sound idiomatic and add that Brazilian touch, then you could say…
No dia de São Nunca!
no dia de São Nunca: when pigs fly
Dia de São Nuncais a fictional day on which São Nunca (Saint Never) is celebrated. Of course, the date doesn’t really exist and it’s used to convey the same meaning as the English idiomwhen pigs fly.Literally: On Saint Never’s Day!
MEANING:
- Something that’ll never happen!
- Used to show skepticism or cynicism, and even sarcasm over some hypothetical situation or outcome.
Eu vou com você no dia de São Nunca.
I’ll go with you when pigs fly.
No dia de São Nunca, querida.
When pigs fly sweetie pie.
Certo, isso vai acontecer, no dia de São Nunca!
Sure, that will happen, when pigs fly!
Eu tenho certeza que Davi ficaria feliz de pagar por todo mundo, no dia de São Nunca, isso sim.
I’m sure that David would be happy to pay for everyone - when pigs fly, that is.
Oh, Lúcia, você disse que a gente encontraria o Papai Noel no dia de São Nunca.
Oh, Lúcia, you said we’d find Santa when pigs fly.
É, certo, ele vai se consertar. No dia de São Nunca.
Yeah, right, he’ll get his act together. When pigs fly.
É, eu vou receber aquela ligação, no dia de São Nunca.
Yeah, I’ll get that call when pigs fly.
If you want to sound even more sarcastic, know that people often add
de manhã,de tarde,de noite, or even a specific hour tono dia de São Nunca.
Você vai ver ele dançando em público no dia de São Nunca, de tarde.
You’ll see him dancing in public when pigs fly.
Você vai ver ele correndo uma maratona no dia de São Nunca, de manhã.
You’ll see him running a marathon when pigs fly.
Ela vai acampar sem reclamar no dia de São Nunca, às 14:00.
She’ll go camping without complaining when pigs fly.
That’s it! I hope you liked it, add these examples to your Anki collection, and practice them. Te vejo no próximo post!