blank mind

[/blæŋk maɪnd/]
noun phrasepl: blank minds
mente em branco
1. A state of mental emptiness or inability to think, remember, or concentrate; temporary loss of memory or consciousness
When the teacher called on him, his mind went blank and he couldn't remember the answer.
Quando a professora o chamou, sua mente ficou em branco e ele não conseguiu lembrar a resposta.
2. A condition of complete mental confusion or disorientation where one cannot process information or make decisions
She stared at the exam with a blank mind, unable to recall anything she had studied.
Ela olhou para a prova com a mente em branco, incapaz de lembrar nada do que havia estudado.
This expression is universally understood in both Brazilian Portuguese and European Portuguese contexts. It describes a common human experience of temporary memory loss or mental confusion, often used in educational, professional, or social settings when someone forgets information they should know. In American English, 'brain fart' is the more colloquial NYC equivalent, while 'blank mind' is more formal.
NYC Slang
brain fart
Synonyms / Sinônimos
mental blockmemory lapseabsent-mindednessmental fogforgetfulness
Antonyms / Antônimos
clarity of mindmental sharpnessfocusconcentration

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
mente em branco
Most common and widely understood expression
Rio de Janeiro
mente em branco / branco mental
Both expressions are used colloquially
São Paulo
mente em branco / head vazio
English influence with 'head vazio' also used informally
Portugal
mente em branco / branco mental
Same expressions used, though 'branco mental' is less common than in Brazil

Related Words

absent-mindedforgetfulconfuseddistractedmemoryconcentration

Related Idioms & Phrases

go blank
have a blank mind
mind goes blank
draw a blank
Look up more words on Fala2Me
The free English-Portuguese dictionary with real Brazilian accents, NYC slang, conjugator and more
Open Fala2Me →