National Anthem of Brazil: English Translation & Meaning

The National Anthem of Brazil is a unique and lovely tribute to the country.

As a Brazilian myself, I remember growing up singing it every Wednesday at school.

But whenever we sing it whole-heartedly in sports events, such as the World Cup, or on Independence Day, it always gives me goosebumps.

The anthem evokes a lot of emotions in my Brazilian heart, and I can imagine singing the national song of your country does the same to you.

Also, I’ve been receiving lots of questions from readers about the meaning of it.

That’s why I decided to write the lyrics in English so that you know what we Brazilians are singing next time you hear it.

I’m probably biased, but I believe the Brazil national anthem is jovial, warm, and gives energy to those who listen to it.

Well, at least that’s what my husband, who is Dutch, often says while watching soccer. 

He always says it’s contagious to listen to the Brazilian national anthem. I hope you like it too, after all, this is one of the most important national symbols of Brazil.

Brazil national anthem origins

National Anthem of Brazil (Portuguese: Hino Nacional Brasileiro) is its official name.

The melody was composed by Francisco Manuel da Silva in 1831, while Joaquim Osório Duque Estrada wrote the Brazil anthem lyrics later in 1922.

Glossary of the Brazilian national anthem

Many words used in the hymn are rather formal or too complicated. That’s simply because the lyrics were written long ago, and several verses make reference to specific places of Brazil or the country’s history.

For that reason, I decided to write a little glossary so that you’ll understand everything.

• Ipiranga – It refers to the River Ipiranga. D. Pedro I proclaimed the independence of Brazil on its banks.
• Placid banks – Placid means calm and peaceful.
• Resounding cry – Resounding means a cry loud enough to reverberate.
• Pledge – Used metaphorically (figuratively). A solemn promise that there will be freedom.
• Image of the Southern Cross shines – The Southern Cross (Crux) is the constellation that shines above the southern hemisphere.
• Fearless colossus – It means something of enormous, importance, or ability.
• Kind mother – Kind mother is the homeland. As a mother (Brazil) that loves and defends her sons (Brazilians).
• Finial – Finial is an ornament at the top of an object. Brazil would be the most important and glaring decoration in America.
• Green-gold – It makes reference to the green and yellow flag of Brazil.
• Mace of justice – A mace is a big stick with a spiked metalhead used in wars centuries ago.

National Anthem of Brazil in Portuguese and English

Hino Nacional Brasileiro

Ouviram do Ipiranga às margens plácidas
De um povo heróico o brado retumbante,
E o sol da Liberdade, em raios fúlgidos,
Brilhou no céu da Pátria nesse instante.

Se o penhor dessa igualdade
Conseguimos conquistar com braço forte,
Em teu seio, ó Liberdade,
Desafia o nosso peito a própria morte!

Ó Pátria amada,
Idolatrada,
Salve! Salve!

Brasil, um sonho intenso, um raio vívido,
De amor e de esperança à terra desce,
Se em teu formoso céu, risonho e límpido,
A imagem do Cruzeiro resplandece.

Gigante pela própria natureza,
És belo, és forte, impávido colosso,
E o teu futuro espelha essa grandeza.

Terra adorada
Entre outras mil
És tu, Brasil,
Ó Pátria amada!
Dos filhos deste solo
És mãe gentil,
Pátria amada,
Brasil!

Deitado eternamente em berço esplêndido,
Ao som do mar e à luz do céu profundo,
Fulguras, ó Brasil, florão da América,
Iluminado ao sol do Novo Mundo!

Do que a terra mais garrida
Teus risonhos, lindos campos têm mais flores,
Nossos bosques têm mais vida,
Nossa vida no teu seio mais amores. 

Ó Pátria amada,
Idolatrada,
Salve! Salve!

Brasil, de amor eterno seja símbolo
O lábaro que ostentas estrelado,
E diga o verde-louro dessa flâmula:
– Paz no futuro e glória no passado.

Mas se ergues da justiça a clava forte,
Verás que um filho teu não foge à luta,
Nem teme, quem te adora, a própria morte.

Terra adorada
Entre outras mil
És tu, Brasil,
Ó Pátria amada!

Dos filhos deste solo
És mãe gentil,
Pátria amada,
Brasil!

National Anthem of Brazil in English

The placid banks of the Ipiranga
Heard the resounding cry of a heroic people,
And brilliant beams from the sun of liberty
Shone in our homeland’s skies at that very moment.

If with strong arms we have succeeded
In winning the pledge of equality,
In thy bosom, O freedom,
Our brave breast shall defy death itself!

O beloved,
Idolized homeland,
Hail, hail!

Brazil, an intense dream, a vivid ray
Of love and hope descends to earth,
If in thy lovely, smiling and clear skies
The image of the Southern Cross shines resplendently.

A giant by thine own nature,
Thou art a beautiful, strong and fearless colossus,
And thy future mirrors thy greatness.

Beloved Land
Amongst a thousand others
Art thou, Brazil,
O beloved homeland!
To the sons of this land
Thou art a gentle mother,
Beloved homeland,
Brazil!

Laid out eternally in a splendid cradle,
By the sound of the sea and the light of the deep sky,
Thou shinest, O Brazil, the finial of America,
Illuminated by the sun of the New World!

Thy smiling, lovely fields have more flowers
Than the most elegant land abroad,
Our woods have more life,
Our life in thy bosom more love.

O beloved,
Idolized homeland,
Hail, hail!

Brazil, let the star-spangled banner thou showest forth
Be the symbol of eternal love,
And let the green-gold of thy pennant proclaim:
– Peace in the future and glory in the past.

But if thou raisest the strong mace of justice,
Thou wilt see that a son of thine flees not from battle,
Nor does he who loves thee fear death itself. 

Beloved Land,
Amongst a thousand others
Art thou, Brazil,
O beloved homeland!

To the sons of this land
Thou art a gentle mother,
Beloved homeland,
Brazil!

Final words on Brazil national anthem lyrics

As I said before, Brazil’s lyrics are warm and give energy to those who listen to it.

We usually play it in sports events, political events, or religious ceremonies of patriotic nature.

If you want to learn more about the country, you might want to read this post about the map of Brazil and its development.

In case you’re planning a trip to Brazil, you will want to read up on the national holidays before buying your ticket.

Either way, be sure to read these interesting facts about Brazil. (Some are pretty weird too!)

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