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passa graxa

[PAH-suh GRAH-shuh]
nounfemininepl: passa graxa or passas graxa
shoe polisher; bootblack
1. A person, typically found on streets, who polishes shoes for a living
The passa graxa offered to shine my shoes at the bus station.
O passa graxa ofereceu engraxar meus sapatos na estação de ônibus.
2. Someone who applies shoe polish or grease to footwear as a profession
He works as a passa graxa downtown.
Ele trabalha como passa graxa no centro da cidade.
NYC Slang
shoe shiner; bootblack
Synonyms
engraxatelustre-botaslustrador de sapatos

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
passa graxa
Most common term in urban Brazilian Portuguese
Rio de Janeiro
passa graxa
Traditional term used in street culture
São Paulo
engraxate
Slightly more formal alternative
Portugal
engraxador
Preferred term; passa graxa less commonly used

Related Idioms & Phrases

trabalhar como passa graxa (to work as a shoe shiner/do humble work)
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