rir é o melhor remédio
Laughter is the best medicine
Littéralement: to laugh is the best medicine
Use this phrase to encourage positivity and humor when someone is stressed or mildly upset.
En 15 secondes
- Laughter helps you heal emotionally.
- Use it to cheer up a stressed friend.
- Perfect for casual and semi-formal social settings.
Signification
This phrase suggests that a good laugh can fix almost any bad mood or stressful situation. It is a warm way to encourage someone to find the humor in a tough day.
Exemples clés
3 sur 6Cheering up a friend after a bad date
Não fique assim, rir é o melhor remédio!
Don't be like that, laughter is the best medicine!
After a stressful meeting at work
Que dia difícil! Ainda bem que rir é o melhor remédio.
What a hard day! Good thing laughter is the best medicine.
Texting a funny video to a sick relative
Veja esse vídeo! Dizem que rir é o melhor remédio.
Watch this video! They say laughter is the best medicine.
Contexte culturel
This expression is deeply rooted in the resilient nature of Lusophone cultures, particularly in Brazil and Portugal. It reflects a social philosophy where shared joy and humor are seen as essential for maintaining mental health and community bonds. It gained massive popularity through self-help literature and media in the mid-20th century.
Pronunciation Trick
The word `rir` has a strong 'R' sound at the beginning, like the 'H' in 'Home'. Don't be afraid to breathe it out!
Timing is Everything
If someone is actually crying about something serious, wait a bit. Using this too early can seem dismissive of their feelings.
En 15 secondes
- Laughter helps you heal emotionally.
- Use it to cheer up a stressed friend.
- Perfect for casual and semi-formal social settings.
What It Means
This expression is a universal truth wrapped in a simple Portuguese sentence. It means that finding something funny is the fastest way to heal. It is not about literal doctors or pills. It is about the emotional relief that comes from a deep belly laugh. When life feels heavy, this phrase reminds you to lighten the load.
How To Use It
You can use this phrase as a standalone comment. It works perfectly when someone is feeling down or stressed. You do not need to conjugate anything complex. Just say rir é o melhor remédio when the moment feels right. It acts like a verbal hug for your friends. It is a great way to transition from a sad topic to something lighter.
When To Use It
Use it when a friend is complaining about a minor inconvenience. It is perfect after a long day at work. Use it when you are watching a comedy movie together. It fits well in a text message after sharing a funny meme. If someone is nervous before a presentation, a joke followed by this phrase helps. It is a very versatile and positive expression.
When NOT To Use It
Avoid this phrase during moments of serious grief or tragedy. If someone just lost their job, they might not want to laugh yet. Do not use it if someone is physically injured and in actual pain. They need a real doctor, not a proverb! Use your emotional intelligence to judge the room. If the situation is truly somber, silence is better than this idiom.
Cultural Background
Portuguese speakers are generally very social and high-spirited people. Humor is a survival tool in Brazilian and Portuguese cultures. People often use jokes to cope with economic or political stress. The phrase reflects a cultural value of resilience through joy. It has been popular for decades and appears in songs and books. It is a piece of wisdom passed down by grandmothers everywhere.
Common Variations
You might hear people say o riso cura tudo, which means laughter cures everything. Some might simply say sorria, which just means smile. However, the classic version is the most recognized. It is a safe bet in any Lusophone country. You will sound like a local who understands the importance of a good mood.
Notes d'usage
This is a very safe 'neutral' phrase. It doesn't carry any hidden baggage or rude connotations, making it perfect for A2 learners to practice their conversational skills.
Pronunciation Trick
The word `rir` has a strong 'R' sound at the beginning, like the 'H' in 'Home'. Don't be afraid to breathe it out!
Timing is Everything
If someone is actually crying about something serious, wait a bit. Using this too early can seem dismissive of their feelings.
The Brazilian Way
In Brazil, people often follow this with a joke. It's not just a saying; it's an invitation to start laughing together immediately.
Exemples
6Não fique assim, rir é o melhor remédio!
Don't be like that, laughter is the best medicine!
A classic way to shift the mood from sad to optimistic.
Que dia difícil! Ainda bem que rir é o melhor remédio.
What a hard day! Good thing laughter is the best medicine.
Used here to build rapport with colleagues after stress.
Veja esse vídeo! Dizem que rir é o melhor remédio.
Watch this video! They say laughter is the best medicine.
A sweet way to show you care without being too serious.
Eu errei o caminho de novo? Bom, rir é o melhor remédio.
I took the wrong way again? Well, laughter is the best medicine.
Shows you don't take yourself too seriously.
Vamos brincar de outra coisa? Rir é o melhor remédio.
Let's play something else? Laughter is the best medicine.
Used to distract and encourage a positive change in focus.
Porque rir é o melhor remédio sempre!
Because laughter is always the best medicine!
A common hashtag-style sentiment for posts.
Teste-toi
Complete the common Portuguese idiom.
Depois de um dia ruim, lembre-se que ___ é o melhor remédio.
The idiom specifically uses the verb 'rir' (to laugh) to complete the 'best medicine' metaphor.
Choose the correct ending for the phrase.
Rir é o melhor ___.
The phrase compares laughter to 'remédio' (medicine) because of its healing properties.
🎉 Score : /2
Aides visuelles
Formality Spectrum of 'Rir é o melhor remédio'
Used with close friends and family.
Talking to a sibling about a joke.
Perfect for most social and work situations.
Chatting with a coworker in the breakroom.
Can be used in speeches or articles to sound wise.
A closing line in a wedding toast.
Where to use 'Rir é o melhor remédio'
Hospital Visit
Cheering up a patient.
Office Break
Relieving deadline stress.
Group Chat
Reacting to a funny meme.
Family Dinner
Telling old funny stories.
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsIt is used in both! It is a universal expression across all Portuguese-speaking countries, including Angola and Mozambique.
While sorrir (to smile) is nice, the fixed idiom always uses rir (to laugh). Saying sorrir é o melhor remédio sounds a bit unnatural.
Yes, if you have a friendly relationship. It is a neutral, safe phrase that isn't offensive or overly slangy.
Not really, but you might hear quem ri por último, ri melhor (he who laughs last, laughs best), which has a more competitive tone.
In this context, remédio means 'cure' or 'solution' in a broad sense, not just a pill from a pharmacy.
The noun for laughter is o riso. You could say o riso é contagiante (laughter is contagious).
Yes, it is considered a proverb or 'ditado popular'. It is acceptable in creative writing or opinion pieces.
The phrase already implies that. Portuguese often drops the extra 'the' in these short proverbs.
Not exactly, but young people might just say rindo alto (laughing out loud) or use the 'kkkk' laugh in texts instead.
Yes, rir is slightly irregular in the present tense (e.g., eu rio). But in this phrase, it stays in the infinitive form.
Expressions liées
levar a vida com leveza
to take life lightly
morrer de rir
to die laughing
chorar de rir
to cry from laughing
fazer graça
to make a joke / be funny
Commentaires (0)
Connectez-vous pour CommenterCommencez à apprendre les langues gratuitement
Commence Gratuitement