porco que pular
porco expression
Wörtlich: pig that jumps
Use this to jokingly describe someone who succeeds through pure, unadulterated luck rather than actual skill.
In 15 Sekunden
- Describes someone who is unexpectedly and incredibly lucky.
- Used for successes that seem accidental or unearned.
- Best for casual, humorous conversations among friends.
Bedeutung
This phrase is used to describe someone who is incredibly lucky or who somehow manages to succeed despite being clumsy or unprepared. It's like saying someone 'fell into a pile of gold' or has 'more luck than sense.'
Wichtige Beispiele
3 von 6Talking about a friend who won a bet
O Marcos é um porco que pular, ganhou a aposta sem saber nada!
Marcos is so lucky, he won the bet without knowing anything!
Reacting to someone finding money
Achaste cem euros no chão? Que porco que pular!
You found a hundred euros on the ground? What a lucky dog!
Discussing a colleague's easy promotion
Ele não faz nada e foi promovido; é mesmo um porco que pular.
He does nothing and got promoted; he's just incredibly lucky.
Kultureller Hintergrund
This expression is deeply rooted in rural Portuguese folklore where the pig is a symbol of both sustenance and stubbornness. The image of a jumping pig represents a subversion of nature, much like an unlikely person winning against all odds. It gained popularity in urban centers as a humorous way to vent frustration at others' effortless success.
Tone Matters
Say it with a smile! If you say it with a straight face, it might sound like you're calling them a literal pig.
Not for Bosses
Never use this to describe your boss's success unless you are very close. It implies they are incompetent but lucky.
In 15 Sekunden
- Describes someone who is unexpectedly and incredibly lucky.
- Used for successes that seem accidental or unearned.
- Best for casual, humorous conversations among friends.
What It Means
Imagine a clumsy pig trying to jump over a fence. It sounds impossible, right? But somehow, this pig clears it and lands in a field of truffles. That is the essence of porco que pular. You use it when someone achieves a great result without putting in the effort. It describes that friend who never studies but gets an A. It is about luck that feels almost accidental or undeserved.
How To Use It
You usually use it as a noun phrase to describe a person. You might say 'He is a porco que pular.' It highlights the gap between their skill and their success. It is not necessarily an insult. It is more like an observation of their bizarrely good fortune. Think of it as a mix of jealousy and genuine amazement.
When To Use It
Use it when a coworker wins the lottery on their first try. Use it when your friend finds a 50-euro bill while tripping on the sidewalk. It is perfect for those 'how did that happen?' moments. It works best in casual settings where you can laugh about life's unfairness. It is a great way to break the ice during a conversation about luck.
When NOT To Use It
Avoid this in a professional performance review. Do not use it to describe someone's hard-earned lifelong achievement. If someone worked 20 years for a promotion, calling them a porco que pular is rude. It implies they didn't earn their success. Also, avoid it at funerals or very somber events. It carries a lighthearted, slightly mocking energy that doesn't fit grief.
Cultural Background
In Portuguese culture, there is a long history of using farm animals in idioms. Pigs are often seen as earthy, messy, and not particularly agile. The idea of a pig jumping is a metaphor for the impossible becoming reality. It reflects a Mediterranean worldview where luck is a fickle, funny thing. It suggests that sometimes, the universe just picks a random winner.
Common Variations
You might hear people say sorte de principiante (beginner's luck) as a synonym. Some regions might simply say que sorte de porco! to mean 'what pig luck!' Another common one is cair de pé, meaning to land on one's feet. However, porco que pular remains the most colorful way to describe a lucky fluke.
Nutzungshinweise
This is a B2 level idiom because it requires understanding cultural irony. It is strictly informal and should be used to add flavor to casual storytelling or friendly teasing.
Tone Matters
Say it with a smile! If you say it with a straight face, it might sound like you're calling them a literal pig.
Not for Bosses
Never use this to describe your boss's success unless you are very close. It implies they are incompetent but lucky.
The 'Pá' Factor
In Portugal, adding 'pá' at the end (e.g., 'Que porco que pular, pá!') makes it sound 100% more authentic.
Beispiele
6O Marcos é um porco que pular, ganhou a aposta sem saber nada!
Marcos is so lucky, he won the bet without knowing anything!
Highlights the accidental nature of the win.
Achaste cem euros no chão? Que porco que pular!
You found a hundred euros on the ground? What a lucky dog!
Uses the phrase to express shock at good fortune.
Ele não faz nada e foi promovido; é mesmo um porco que pular.
He does nothing and got promoted; he's just incredibly lucky.
Slightly salty tone about unfair success.
Não apanhaste multa? Tu és um porco que pular, pá!
You didn't get a fine? You're so lucky, man!
Informal 'pá' adds to the casual texting vibe.
Às vezes sinto-me um porco que pular neste emprego.
Sometimes I feel like I just lucked into this job.
Self-deprecating humor.
Aquele golo foi sorte, o avançado é um porco que pular.
That goal was luck, the striker just got lucky.
Common in sports banter.
Teste dich selbst
Choose the correct phrase to describe someone who won the lottery without trying.
O João ganhou a lotaria! Ele é mesmo um ___.
The phrase 'porco que pular' is the only one that refers to extreme, unexpected luck.
Which word completes the idiom correctly?
Que ___ que pular!
The idiom specifically uses 'porco' (pig) to create the image of an unlikely jumper.
🎉 Ergebnis: /2
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Formality Scale of 'Porco que pular'
Used with best friends or siblings.
Tu és um porco que pular!
Casual coffee chats or texting.
O chefe é um porco que pular.
General storytelling, but risky.
Foi um momento de porco que pular.
Avoid. Use 'pessoa de sorte' instead.
N/A
Where to use 'Porco que pular'
Casino/Gambling
Winning on the first slot machine.
Exam Results
Passing without opening a book.
Traffic/Fines
Avoiding a ticket by pure chance.
Finding Money
Finding a wallet full of cash.
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenNot usually, but it depends on your relationship. It is informal and cheeky, so use it with people you know well like in Tu tens muita sorte, seu porco!.
Yes! You can say Eu sou um porco que pular if you want to be humble about a lucky success.
Exactly. It is the Portuguese equivalent of calling someone a 'lucky dog' or 'lucky devil'.
It is much more common in Portugal. In Brazil, they might say sortudo or cagado (very slangy) instead.
No, it is too informal for a professional setting. Stick to Ele teve muita sorte in meetings.
It literally means 'pig that jumps,' which refers to the absurdity of a pig performing an athletic feat.
You would still use porco as part of the fixed idiom, but you might hear porca in very specific slang contexts, though it's rarer.
Pigs are traditionally seen as heavy and uncoordinated, making their 'jump' a perfect metaphor for unlikely success.
It's pronounced 'POR-koo koo poo-LAR'. The 'r' at the end of pular is often soft or silent in casual speech.
Yes, it has been used for generations in rural Portugal before moving into common city slang.
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