embalo

Embalo is a term used in Portuguese-speaking contexts with several related meanings. In Brazilian Portuguese, embalo derives from embalar, meaning to lull or rock, and can refer to the physical act of rocking or swaying as well as to a sense of momentum or cadence. The expression no embalo or com o embalo is used to describe someone or something that is moving along in a favorable pace, riding a trend or maintaining a steady rhythm.

In cultural and musical usage, embalo conveys a swing or groove in a performance, indicating a feel or tempo that drives the music forward. The term is especially common in discussions of popular and traditional music in Portugal and Brazil, where rhythm and momentum are important expressive qualities.

Embalo also exists as a surname. It is found in Lusophone Africa and diaspora communities, sometimes rendered as Embaló with an acute accent. A prominent bearer is Umaro Sissoco Embaló, who has served as the president of Guinea-Bissau since 2019. Other individuals with the surname have roles in politics, sports, and the arts.

There is no widely recognized place, organization, or concept universally known simply as Embalo; uses are typically clarified by context and, when applicable, accent marks such as Embaló.