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Portuguese · Insults & Name-Calling

Pilantra

pee-LAHN-trah · /pi.ˈlɐ̃.tɾa/

Scoundrel / crook / smooth-talking cheat

2/5 Bar-safe

coarse but friendly; fine among acquaintances

Literally

"(slang) crook / swindler"

Word-for-word — which is rarely what it means.

How to use it

For the charming operator who cheats you — the dodgy landlord, the two-timing partner, the guy who "forgets" his wallet. Implies slickness, not stupidity. "Pilantragem" is the noun for the con itself. Mild and very usable.

Heard in the wild

Esse corretor é um pilantra, cobrou taxa por tudo.

That agent is a crook, he charged a fee for everything.

Where it lands

Brazil (universal).

Quick answers

What does "Pilantra" mean?
In Portuguese, "Pilantra" means "Scoundrel / crook / smooth-talking cheat". Literally it's "(slang) crook / swindler". For the charming operator who cheats you — the dodgy landlord, the two-timing partner, the guy who "forgets" his wallet. Implies slickness, not stupidity. "Pilantragem" is the noun for the con itself. Mild and very usable.
Is "Pilantra" offensive?
It's on the mild end — 2/5 (Bar-safe) on the Punch-o-Meter. coarse but friendly; fine among acquaintances.
How do you pronounce "Pilantra"?
Say it "pee-LAHN-trah" — capitals mark the stressed syllable. In IPA: pi.ˈlɐ̃.tɾa.

Related in Portuguese

Filho da puta FEE-lyoo dah POO-tah Son of a bitch / bastard Otário oh-TAH-ree-oo Sucker / gullible fool / mug Babaca bah-BAH-kah Jerk / idiot / asshole (mild) Corno KOR-noo Cuckold — a man whose partner cheats on him Vagabundo vah-gah-BOON-doo Bum / lowlife / good-for-nothing (f. 'vagabunda' = slut) Burro BOO-hoo Dumb / stupid (person)

The same idea, elsewhere

Via concepts like "Get lost".

how to say "Get lost" →

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