Oi gente!
Literalmente: Hi people!
Use it to greet any group of people warmly and instantly sound like a local.
En 15 segundos
- The go-to greeting for any group of two or more.
- Warm, friendly, and extremely common in daily Brazilian life.
- Perfect for social media, parties, and casual work settings.
Significado
It is the ultimate friendly greeting to address a group of people. Think of it as saying 'Hey everyone!' or 'Hi guys!' in a warm, inclusive way.
Ejemplos clave
3 de 6Walking into a friend's house party
Oi gente! Tudo bem com vocês?
Hi everyone! Is everything okay with you all?
Starting a YouTube video or Instagram story
Oi gente! No vídeo de hoje vamos viajar.
Hi guys! In today's video, we are going to travel.
Joining a casual team meeting at work
Oi gente, bom dia! Podemos começar?
Hi everyone, good morning! Can we start?
Contexto cultural
In Brazil, 'gente' is more than just 'people'; it's a way of life that emphasizes togetherness. This phrase exploded in global popularity thanks to Brazilian YouTubers and influencers who use it as their signature catchphrase. It represents the 'cordialidade' (cordiality) that defines Brazilian social interactions.
The 'Gente' Secret
In Brazil, 'gente' is often used to mean 'we'. If someone says 'A gente vai', they mean 'We are going'. It's much more common than the formal 'Nós'.
Singular vs. Plural
Even though 'gente' refers to many people, the word itself is grammatically singular. Never say 'Oi gentes'—it sounds very strange!
En 15 segundos
- The go-to greeting for any group of two or more.
- Warm, friendly, and extremely common in daily Brazilian life.
- Perfect for social media, parties, and casual work settings.
What It Means
Oi gente! is the bread and butter of Brazilian social life. The word oi means 'hi'. The word gente literally means 'people'. Together, they create a plural greeting. It is the most common way to say hello to more than one person. It feels energetic, welcoming, and very Brazilian. You are acknowledging the whole group at once.
How To Use It
Use it the moment you walk into a room. You can say it loudly to a group of friends. You can also use it to start a video or a social media post. It replaces the need to say hello to every person individually. Just wave your hand and drop a cheerful Oi gente!. It works perfectly as a conversation starter.
When To Use It
Use it when arriving at a birthday party. Use it when joining a table of colleagues at lunch. It is perfect for family gatherings or WhatsApp group chats. If you are a content creator, this is your go-to opening line. It makes your audience feel like they are your close friends. It is great for any situation where the vibe is relaxed.
When NOT To Use It
Avoid using it in very stiff, formal environments. Do not say it to a panel of judges during a legal hearing. It might be too casual for a solemn funeral service. If you are meeting the President, maybe stick to something more formal. However, even in many offices, it is usually acceptable. Just gauge the 'seriousness' of the room first.
Cultural Background
Brazilians are famous for being collective and social. The word gente is used constantly in Brazil. It often replaces the word nós (we). Using Oi gente! reflects this community-focused culture. It suggests that everyone present is part of the same circle. It bridges the gap between strangers and friends instantly. It is the verbal equivalent of a big group hug.
Common Variations
If you want to sound even more casual, try Fala, gente!. For a slightly more 'cool' vibe, use E aí, gente?. In some regions, you might hear Oi pessoal!. Pessoal is a bit more neutral but serves the same purpose. If you are in the south, you might hear Oi galera!. Galera is very popular with younger crowds and feels like 'Hey squad!'.
Notas de uso
This phrase is the gold standard for informal group greetings. It is safe for 90% of social interactions in Brazil, but should be swapped for more formal alternatives in high-stakes professional or legal settings.
The 'Gente' Secret
In Brazil, 'gente' is often used to mean 'we'. If someone says 'A gente vai', they mean 'We are going'. It's much more common than the formal 'Nós'.
Singular vs. Plural
Even though 'gente' refers to many people, the word itself is grammatically singular. Never say 'Oi gentes'—it sounds very strange!
The Influencer Effect
If you say 'Oi gente!' with a slightly high-pitched, excited tone, Brazilians will immediately think you are parodying a famous YouTuber.
Ejemplos
6Oi gente! Tudo bem com vocês?
Hi everyone! Is everything okay with you all?
A classic entrance that covers the whole room.
Oi gente! No vídeo de hoje vamos viajar.
Hi guys! In today's video, we are going to travel.
The standard influencer opening in Brazil.
Oi gente, bom dia! Podemos começar?
Hi everyone, good morning! Can we start?
Appropriate for modern, relaxed office cultures.
Oi gente! Quem quer pizza hoje?
Hey guys! Who wants pizza today?
Very common for digital group communication.
Oi gente, desculpa o atraso!
Hi guys, sorry I'm late!
A quick way to apologize to the whole table.
Oi gente! Que saudade de vocês!
Hi everyone! I missed you all so much!
Expressing deep affection to a group.
Ponte a prueba
Choose the best word to greet your group of friends.
___ gente! Como foi o final de semana?
'Oi' is the standard greeting to pair with 'gente' when arriving.
Complete the phrase used by many Brazilian influencers.
Oi ___, bem-vindos ao meu canal!
'Gente' is the plural collective used for an audience.
🎉 Puntuación: /2
Ayudas visuales
Formality Scale of Greetings
Used with close friends or 'squads'.
E aí galera!
The sweet spot for most social situations.
Oi gente!
Used in serious professional or official settings.
Bom dia a todos.
Where to use 'Oi gente!'
WhatsApp Groups
Texting 10 friends at once
House Parties
Walking through the front door
Social Media
Recording a story for followers
Coffee Break
Approaching colleagues in the kitchen
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasNot exactly. While 'guys' is the best English equivalent, 'gente' literally means 'people'. It is gender-neutral, making it very inclusive.
In most Brazilian workplaces, yes! Unless your boss is very traditional or you are in a formal meeting, Oi gente! is perfectly fine.
Both are correct, but Oi gente! is much more common. Olá feels a bit more scripted or like something you'd hear on the news.
Yes, you can use it for any group from two people to two thousand. It's very flexible.
Yes, but it's much more iconic and frequent in Brazil. In Portugal, people might use Olá a todos or Olá pessoal more often.
Gente is slightly more warm and informal. Pessoal is very common too and feels just a tiny bit more organized, like 'Hi staff' or 'Hi team'.
No, it's not slang. It's just informal standard Portuguese. Everyone from kids to grandparents uses it.
You can just say Oi! or Tudo bem?. If you are part of the group, you don't need a special group response.
In a casual email to a group of friends or close colleagues, absolutely. For a formal business proposal, use Prezados instead.
Usually, yes. But if someone says A gente precisa conversar, they are using 'gente' to mean 'we' (the speakers).
Frases relacionadas
Oi pessoal!
Hi everyone! (slightly more neutral)
Fala galera!
Hey guys/squad! (very informal)
Tudo bem com vocês?
Is everything okay with you all?
Bom dia a todos
Good morning to everyone (formal)
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