transar

Transar is a colloquial verb in Portuguese, most commonly used in Brazil to refer to sexual intercourse. It is informal and often considered vulgar or coarse, so it is typically avoided in formal conversation, media aimed at general audiences, or polite writing. The standard, non-explicit way to express the idea is ter relações sexuais or fazer amor.

In usage, transar usually appears with a direct object in the form transar com alguém, meaning to have sex with someone. Variants and levels of intensity can vary by speaker and region; some speakers may consider the term crude or humorous, depending on context and tone. Because of its informal nature, it is more likely to be heard in casual speech, music, comedy, and online discourse than in official or academic texts.

Regional differences are notable. While widely understood in Brazil, the term is less common in formal Portuguese contexts and may carry different connotations in other Lusophone communities. In Portugal and other Portuguese-speaking regions, speakers may opt for less vulgar expressions to avoid offense.

Transar has potential for ambiguity in multilingual settings due to false friends or different slang in other languages. For non-Portuguese speakers, it is important to rely on more neutral phrases when translating or communicating in formal contexts to avoid misinterpretation.

Overall, transar is a recognizable but highly informal term that signals sexual activity in everyday Brazilian Portuguese, used most appropriately among peers in casual settings.