quebrada

[keh-brah-dah]

noun/adjectivefemininepl: quebradas

ravine; broken (feminine form of quebrado)

1. A deep valley or ravine, especially one formed by water erosion

The hikers descended into the quebrada to find fresh water.

Os caminhantes desceram para a quebrada para encontrar água fresca.

2. Adjective: broken, fractured, or in a state of disrepair (feminine form)

The quebrada fence needed repair after the storm.

A cerca quebrada precisava de reparo após a tempestade.

3. Slang: a difficult or tight situation; financial hardship

He's in a quebrada financially right now.

Ele está numa quebrada financeira agora.

NYC Slang

hood; neighborhood; rough patch

Synonyms

Antonyms

Regional Variations

General Brazilian

quebrada

Common term for ravine or slum neighborhood; also used for financial difficulties

Rio de Janeiro

quebrada

Often refers to poor neighborhoods or favelas; street vernacular

São Paulo

quebrada

Frequently used in youth slang to refer to one's neighborhood or turf

Portugal

ravina/vale

Less common; Portuguese speakers prefer 'ravina' or 'vale' for geological formation

estar numa quebrada

sair da quebrada

quebrada do meu bairro

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