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nodding acquaintances

[/ˈnɒdɪŋ əˈkweɪntənsɪz/]
nounpl: N/A (already plural)
conhecidos de aceno de cabeça
1. People with whom one is slightly acquainted and exchanges polite greetings, typically just a nod of the head, without being close friends
We are just nodding acquaintances; we see each other at the gym but never really talk.
Somos apenas conhecidos de aceno de cabeça; nos vemos na academia, mas nunca conversamos de verdade.
Synonyms
casual acquaintancesslight acquaintancespassing acquaintancessuperficial acquaintances
Antonyms
close friendsintimate friendsbest friends

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
conhecidos de aceno de cabeça
Standard term used across Brazilian Portuguese
Rio de Janeiro
conhecidos de cumprimento
Sometimes preferred in more informal contexts
São Paulo
conhecidos superficiais
Alternative more commonly used in corporate environments
Portugal
conhecidos de aceno de cabeça
Standard term in European Portuguese

Related Idioms & Phrases

to know someone by sight
to be on nodding terms
a wave and a smile acquaintance
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