Your First Jiu-Jitsu Class in Brazil: Portuguese for the Dojo — Practice

Ask about the class and your experience

Jiu-jitsu is commonly written jiu-jítsu in Portuguese; treino can mean a training session. Tell the academy whether you are new or have trained before, and ask which class is appropriate. Do not assume class names or belt requirements are identical between academies.

Ask about the schedule and where visitors should check in. If you already have a belt rank, say it clearly and let the instructor place you in the suitable group.

Check what to wear or bring

Kimono is the uniform, and faixa is belt. Ask whether the academy expects a kimono, rash guard, or other clothing for the class. Rules and equipment options depend on the academy.

You can also ask whether you need to bring water and where to put your belongings. A direct question helps you avoid guessing about local routines.

Understand instructions and ask for clarification

During practice, an instructor may name a position or movement quickly. Ask them to repeat, demonstrate, or explain one step at a time. Clarifying an instruction before you try it helps the class continue smoothly.

Follow the academy’s guidance about pairing up and training safely. If you need to pause, tell your partner or instructor rather than leaving them to guess.

Remember: Ask the academy about class level and required equipment, then use short clarification phrases and follow the instructor’s directions.

Check your understanding

Choose the English meaning of each Portuguese example. Answer before looking back at the tables. These questions check the written examples in this guide; they are not a listening or proficiency test.

Recall the Portuguese, then say it

Read the English prompt and say a Portuguese version before opening the answer. The answer shows the example from the lesson; other natural translations may also work. Compare the meaning and the situation rather than counting a different word as automatically wrong.

1. Is there a jiu-jitsu class for beginners?

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Tem treino de jiu-jítsu para iniciantes?

2. I’m a blue belt. Which class should I train in?

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Sou faixa azul. Em qual turma devo treinar?

3. Do I need to bring a gi to practice?

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Preciso levar kimono para o treino?

4. Where can I store my backpack?

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Onde posso guardar minha mochila?

5. Could you explain that position more slowly?

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Pode explicar essa posição mais devagar?

6. I need to take a break. I’ll be right back.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Preciso fazer uma pausa. Já volto.

Make the phrase useful to you

Choose one example you could actually use. Say it once from memory, then change one detail that fits your life, such as the person, place, time, or object. Check whether your change also needs a different verb form, article, or adjective ending. If it does, compare it with the pattern in the explanation.

Ask the academy about class level and required equipment, then use short clarification phrases and follow the instructor’s directions.

Return to two prompts tomorrow without opening the answers first. If a phrase still feels difficult, shorten it to a useful chunk and build the complete sentence again.

Sources and your next lesson

This I Speak Portuguese practice guide builds on our Your First Jiu-Jitsu Class in Brazil: Portuguese for the Dojo lesson on Real Life Portuguese, with written recall tasks and additional speaking practice. The explanations and examples are teaching material; the practice questions are exercises, not a transcript of a recording.

To add Brazilian audio to your routine, choose a lesson in the Real Life Portuguese app. The app offers its own lessons and practice; this page does not imply that every example here has an app recording.