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berimbau

[beh-reem-BAH-oo]
nounmasculinepl: berimbaus
berimbau (a single-string percussion instrument used in capoeira)
1. A traditional Brazilian musical instrument consisting of a wooden stick, a metal string, and a gourd resonator, played with a stick and stone to produce rhythmic sounds
The capoeira dancer moved to the rhythm of the berimbau.
O dançarino de capoeira se movia ao ritmo do berimbau.
2. In capoeira culture, the berimbau sets the pace and style of the fight/dance being performed
The berimbau player controls the speed of the roda.
O tocador de berimbau controla a velocidade da roda.

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
berimbau
Standard term across Brazil, especially in Bahia and Rio de Janeiro where capoeira is practiced
Bahia
berimbau
Deeply rooted in Bahian capoeira tradition and African heritage
Portugal
berimbau
Less common; primarily used when discussing Brazilian capoeira

Related Idioms & Phrases

ao som do berimbau - to the sound/rhythm of the berimbau
dançar conforme o berimbau toca - to dance as the berimbau plays (follow the rhythm)
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