nounpl: blessings (already plural form; singular: blessing)
bênçãos
1. expressions of good wishes or divine favor, typically given by someone in a position of authority or spiritual power
The priest gave his blessings to the couple before their wedding.
O padre deu suas bênçãos ao casal antes do casamento.
2. benefits or gifts, especially those that are welcomed and valuable
We have many blessings to be grateful for this year.
Temos muitas bênçãos pelas quais devemos ser gratos este ano.
3. approval or permission, especially from someone in authority
The project received the manager's blessings to proceed.
O projeto recebeu as bênçãos do gerente para prosseguir.
4. invocations of divine favor, especially at the beginning of a meal
Before dinner, we said blessings over the food.
Antes do jantar, dissemos bênçãos sobre a comida.
In Brazilian culture, 'bênçãos' is commonly used in both religious contexts (Catholic, Evangelical, Spiritist) and secular settings to express gratitude or receive approval. The phrase 'Deus abençoe' (God bless) is a common farewell. In the USA, 'blessings' has gained cultural prominence in hip-hop and African American Vernacular English (AAVE) as a term of approval and solidarity, often shortened to 'blessing' in singular form.
NYC Slang
blessings (used to mean approval or acknowledgment, particularly in hip-hop culture: 'I got blessings from my crew')
Related Idioms & Phrases
count your blessings (be grateful for what you have)
a blessing in disguise (something that appears bad but turns out to be good)
blessings be upon you (traditional farewell wish)
mixed blessings (something with both advantages and disadvantages)
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