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balizamento triangular
uma boa pegada

Glossary entry

Portuguese term or phrase:

sacanagem

English translation:

playfulness; mischievousness

Added to glossary by Oliver Simões
Jan 18 23:33
3 mos ago
23 viewers *
Portuguese term

sacanagem

Portuguese to English Other Other sexuality & personal relationships
"Uma boa pegada deve contar uma pitada de romantismo e outra de sacanagem." (Cecarello apud Atouguia, 2011)

What would be a good translation for sacanagem? I've seen "slutiness" (sic), "bitchiness" (?), and "smuttiness".

smuttiness: the quality or state of being obcene (Merriam-Webster)

sacanagem: "ato libidinoso" ou "ato libidinoso que fere os padrões do procedimento sexual comum" (Aulete), whatever that means.

libidinoso: 1. Relativo ao prazer sexual (relação libidinosa). 2. Que tem desejos sexuais com grande frequência; DEVASSO; LIBERTINO. (Aulete)

The Priberam dictionary has no similar definition.

Possibly related:
salaciousness: the quality of causing or showing a strong, often unpleasant interest in sexual matters: She was worried about the show's salaciousness. The only value in their story is in its salaciousness. (Cambridge)

salacity: the expression of undue or inappropriate interest in sexual matters; salaciousness. (Oxford)

GT translates "salacity" as "devassidão" and "libertinagem" (which sort of coincide with one of Aulete's definition for "libidinoso", apparently a synonym for "sacana").

Thank you all.

L2: EN-US
Register: coloq., slang (?)
Proposed translations (English)
5 +1 mischievousness, playfulness
5 bastardiness
4 Lusciousness
4 getting down and dirty
3 sleaze
3 kinkiness
2 (another of) lasciviousness / salaciousness
References
v.

Discussion

Oliver Simões (asker) Jan 20:
Worthy of note "Sacanagem carries a variety of meanings that seem rather distant from its sexual connotations. but which tie into a common underlying theme. It can refer, for instance, to the experience of small injustices -- much as we speak in English. (...)

Much like the folk model of sexual actors, which tends to cut across region and class in Brazil, sacanagem is an extremely complex cultural category, with no suitable English translation."

In: Sexuality, Politics and AIDS in Brazil: In Another World? By Herbet Daniel, Richard Parker · 2003 https://www.google.com/books/edition/Sexuality_Politics_and_...

PS: Unfortunately, the book is missing several pages, so I wasn't able to find out if the author provided any translation.

Thank y'all.
Oliver Simões (asker) Jan 20:
@Ana Indeed, both playfulness and mischievousness are formal, and "sacanagem" is colloquial. Of the translations presented, this was the best fit for my context. Unfortunately, the level of formality is not something that can always be preserved. I had to do a balancing act between picking an informal term that lacks in meaning and a formal one that is more precise (although not 100%) and more widely used. "Play", "playful" etc. is not so naive/innocent. as one might think Check it out:

play: amorous flirtation, DALLIANCE.
dalliance: amorous play ( Merriam-Webster)

amorous: showing, feeling, or relating to sexual desire. (Oxford)
Ana Vozone Jan 20:
@Oliver O termo "sacanagem" é coloquial, em todas as suas nuances.
https://www.dicio.com.br/sacanagem/

Playfulness/Mischievousness não o são. São quase ingé(ê)nuos... penso eu...
Oliver Simões (asker) Jan 20:
@Nick I am aware of the language variations across the Atlantic; however, my context has nothing to do with European Portuguese. The psychologist that I quoted from is Brazilian, hence "sacanagem" does have a sexual connotation. If you look at my question again as well as all the references I posted, you'll see that they all lead to this conclusion. I pointed out upfront that there is "no similar definition" in Priberam, which is a way of saying that "sacanagem" has no sexual meaning in Portugal.
Nick Taylor Jan 19:
@Sacanas Sem Lei https://sumidoiro.wordpress.com/2018/10/01/a-genese-do-sacan...
And
Por isso, houve essa segunda monstruosidade que foi atacar um país que não tinha nada a ver com o 11 de Setembro. Porque o sacana do Bin Laden estava nos túneis do Afeganistão e era impossível chegar lá.
A expressão “índio sacana” destacada no texto faz alusão
à forma de incorporação, ao longo de séculos, de grupos
étnicos tradicionais a princípio em sociedades coloniais
e, em seguida, nas sociedades dos Estados Nacionais
emancipados.
Nick Taylor Jan 19:
@Oliver I think it is very important to consider the divergence of Pt/Pt and Pt/Br before jumping to any conclusions. In Pt/Pt sacanagem/sacanice is harly used in the sexual connotation but long the lines of "malandrice" Ele é uma Sacana = he is a bastard/ aright cunt! Etc. It is important to define the source of these terms to avoid eventual confusions. :-)
Oliver Simões (asker) Jan 19:
Romanticism and... playfulness (27,200 results):
https://www.google.com/search?q="romanticism and playfulness...

kinkiness (7):
https://www.google.com/search?q="romanticism and kinkiness"

hotness (2):
https://www.google.com/search?q="romanticism and hotness"

mischievousness (2):
https://www.google.com/search?q="romanticism and mischievous...

salaciousness (0):
https://www.google.com/search?q="romanticism and salaciounes...

sleaze (0):
https://www.google.com/search?q="romanticism and sleaze"

lusciousness (0):
https://www.google.com/search?q="romanticism and lusciousnes...

lasciviousness (0):
https://www.google.com/search?q="romanticism and lasciviousn...

bastardiness (not considered as a valid answer; provided no explanation)

I tend to side with Robert Farren, who wrote: "As for 'sacanagem', it's true that 'playfulness' is plausible in this context. So is 'hotness'. They don't mean the same thing, but they both fit IMO."

Between the two, I'll go with "playfulness" for obvious reasons. It outnumbered all others.

Thank you all for your comments and suggestions. A special thank you to Ana, who provided an interesting search insight that led me to this conclusion.
Oliver Simões (asker) Jan 19:
@Nick It would be great if you could post the source where you got this information. Keep in mind that there is a lot of misinformation online. For example, this website says categorically that "sacana" derives from Japanese: https://www.gramatica.net.br/etimologia-de-sacana/ Dicio, on the other hand, tells me that the origin is obscure, as you indicated: https://www.dicio.com.br/sacana/ I can live with that. There is no evidence that it came from Japanese. The history behind the word, as being linked to the sex trade, makes more sense to me.
Nick Taylor Jan 19:
@***** Sacan - origin obscure: It may be from Japanese 魚‎ (sakana, "fish served with alcoholic beverages"). According to this theory, the origin of the word goes back to the 16th century, during the Portuguese discovery of Japan. Because of the laborious task of removing scales and fish bones for the preparation of this dish, the term became a vulgar metaphor for masturbation. Thence the meaning would have been extended to a person of shameful behaviour.
Robert Farren Jan 19:
Upon mature reflection, I feel that the most plausible suggestions so far are "playfulness" and "hotness". I no longer believe that anything so extreme as "sleaze", "kink" or "dirtiness" corresponds to what the author is saying.
I made the mistake of not reading the article in full last night.
Oliver Simões (asker) Jan 19:
@Nick "Sacana", com certeza, não foi trazida pelos japoneses. Mesmo porque não há nenhuma conexão entre "peixe" e o significado do termo. O artigo do site Ensinar História que eu mencionei anteriormente explica a sua origem.
Nick Taylor Jan 19:
@et al Em japonês a palavra “sacana” significa “peixe”. Desconhece-se porque ganhou uma conotação negativa na idioma portuguesa. De qualquer modo foi uma das várias dezenas de palavras que os portugueses trouxeram do Japão e que ainda hoje é usada, como biombo, catana, chungaria, etc.
Oliver Simões (asker) Jan 19:
The origin of the term "sacanagem" The words "sacanagem" and "encrenca" are rooted in the sex trafficking of women from Eastern Europe to Brazil:

"A prostituição embora não fosse crime pelo Código Penal, sofria constantes intervenções policiais por atentado ao pudor, vagabundagem e ameaça à saúde pública (MAZZIEIRO, 1998). Quando a política aparecia nos bordéis, as polacas gritavam sacana que, em iídiche, significa 'perigo'. A palavra tem a mesma raiz hebraica que sakin (punhal), sakina (bandido) e sakun (risco). Os policiais passaram a chamar as zonas de prostituição de 'sacanagem'. Assim, sacana e sacanagem entraram para a língua portuguesa com o sentido pejorativo de indivíduo safado, canalha, de comportamento sem ética, libertino e devasso."

https://ensinarhistoria.com.br/encrenca-e-sacana-palavras-or... - Blog: Ensinar História - Joelza Ester Domingues."
Oliver Simões (asker) Jan 19:
Sleaze (per ChatGPT) In a sexual context, the term "sleaze" is often used to describe behavior that is perceived as morally or socially offensive, vulgar, or inappropriate. It may refer to actions, comments, or attitudes that are characterized by a lack of decency or good taste, particularly in the realm of sexuality. "Sleazy" behavior is often considered distasteful or offensive in a sexual context, and the term is used to convey a sense of impropriety or low standards. (ChatGPT).
José Patrício Jan 19:
Carolina
malandro?

Proposed translations

+1
2 hrs
Selected

mischievousness, playfulness

A palavra "sacanagem" em português tem conotações de algo malicioso, travesso ou até mesmo sensual, dependendo do contexto. Dentre as opções que você apresentou, "sacanagem" pode ser traduzida como "mischievousness" ou "playfulness" neste contexto específico. Assim, a tradução da frase seria:

"Uma boa pegada deve contar uma pitada de romantismo e outra de sacanagem."
"A good approach should have a touch of romance and a bit of mischievousness."

Essa tradução captura a ideia de algo travesso ou provocante sem necessariamente carregar conotações negativas.
Note from asker:
Obrigado, vou pensar nas opções que você sugeriu. Mas descarto "approach" como tradução de "pegada". "Approach" equivale a "abordagem". São termos bem definidos e distintos.
Peer comment(s):
agree Robert Farren : But there is the wider sense of "approach", and I think it's a valid option here. As for "sacanagem", it's true that "playfulness" is plausible in this context. So is "hotness". They don't mean the same thing, but they both fit IMO.
7 hrs
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4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer. Comment: "Thank you, Carolina. I switched the order since playfulness is much more common than mischievousness in this context. See my comment "Romanticism and..." on the Discussion Board. For my context, I picked "playfulness". "
19 mins

Lusciousness

A melhor saída pra esta frase é pensar que "romance" e "sacanagem" são complementares e tentar não ser literal. Pode ser "...be a bit (ou a little) romantic and a bit (a little) luscious", ou "...have one part romance, one part lusciousness". Pode ser também "sexiness", mas acho que "luscious" fica mais interessante.
Note from asker:
Segundo o Merriam-Webster: luscious: : sexually attractive : SEDUCTIVE, SEXY. Não parece ser o sentido de "sacanagem". Thanks for trying.
Something went wrong...
36 mins

sleaze

My personal "first thought/best thought" for translating this would be "filth", which in British English can have warmly positive connotations when talking about sexual matters. But I doubt if it would be understandable that way in US English. "Sleaze" is nearly as good: a term which is negative in its primary sense, but positive if you want it be be so when talking about sex :-)
Other possibilities: "smut", "kink", "kinkiness", etc.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 42 mins (2024-01-19 00:15:32 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

Second thought: I went back and looked at the entire sentence, and i thought, this sort of needs a noun that stands in a contrastive relationship to "romance". And "hotness" feels like it could work.
"One part romance, one part hotness".
Note from asker:
Thank you, Robert. In Brazilian parlance, "hotness" translates as "gostosura". (Hot: "gostoso", "gostosa".) But it might work for this context. For some reason, I don't like either "sleaze" or "filth" because they carry a moral judgement that is not present in "sacanagem". "Sleaze" is defined as "immoral, sordid, and corrupt behavior or material, especially in business or politics" (Oxford & Google). "Kink/kinkiness" might be another option. Kinky: "involving or given to unusual sexual behavior" (similar to one of the definitions for "sacanagem" ("a libidinous act that violates the standards of common sexual practice", my translation). Kink: "In human sexuality, kinkiness is the use of non-conventional sexual practices, concepts or fantasies" (Wikipedia). Wikipedia kept the term in English in the corresponding entries for Spanish, French, and Italian. The French version adds "sexualité tordue" (twisted sexuality) as an explanation. In this case, I guess it would not be a good idea to translate it as "kink/kinkiness" then -- which means I'm left with "hotness".
I would appreciate it if you could respond to my comment. Thanks!
Sorry I missed part of your explanation: ""Sleaze" is nearly as good: a term which is negative in its primary sense, but positive if you want it be be so when talking about sex :-). In this case, "sleaze" might be another option. I've heard "sleazy" a few times, all with negative connotation as far as I remember.
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9 hrs

kinkiness

Example sentence:

Even if this is basically only a nice and naughty short story, the author managed to fit in it also a bit of romanticism and kinkiness

But it really attracted my attention by its simultaneous romanticism and kinkiness.

Note from asker:
Thank you, Ana. I found your search strategy quite interesting as you combined both words in your search query. I'll do a few more searches and post the result on the DB.
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10 hrs

getting down and dirty

Something like this: "... getting a little down and dirty". If you value parallelism, you'll probably have to adapt "romantismo" in a similar fashion. It's your call.
Reference:

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/down%20and%20dirty

https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/down-and-dirty

Something went wrong...
11 hrs

bastardiness

bastardiness
Note from asker:
Totally off.
Something went wrong...
17 hrs
Portuguese term (edited): (outra de) sacanagem

(another of) lasciviousness / salaciousness

Has got to be consonant with 'outra de' , so might well rule out profligacy.

salaciousness rather than salacity, at any rate in BrE.

Collins: dirty trick; screwing.
Example sentence:

Meaning of salaciousness in English: the quality of causing or showing a strong, often unpleasant interest in sexual matters: She was worried about the show's salaciousness.

Profligacy: licentious or dissolute behaviour. "the emperor's sexual profligacy"

Reference:

http://www.dictionary.com/browse/lasciviousness

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Reference comments

38 mins
Reference:

v.

Vendo os significados seguintes eu dar-lhe-ia o significado de malandro, que quer dizer que no fundo o que ele quer é gozo.
E porque que é que o malandro lhe agrada?
A vaidade feminina atrai-o, porque essa mesma vaidade "pensa" que lhe vai fazer sair o tiro pela culatra.
Não será bem a mesma coisa mas será um pouco como a atração pelo abismo.
Agora temos de arranjar uma tradução para malandro
Infopédia: roguish - https://www.infopedia.pt/dicionarios/ingles-portugues/roguis...
E que acha de bad boy=sacana? (assim com uma mistura de romantismo na cabeça da rapariga)
Why is it that I like Bad boys, is it because they're my opposite or because they're so outworldly? What is it about them that makes everyone think "boom" a love story's instantly going to happen? - https://www.quora.com/Why-is-it-that-I-like-Bad-boys-is-it-b...
sacana (Priberam): 1. [Informal, Depreciativo] Que ou quem não tem carácter ou age sem ética. = CANALHA, PATIFE, VELHACO

2. [Informal, Depreciativo] Que ou quem age com esperteza ou malandrice. = ESPERTALHÃO, FINÓRIO, MALANDRO

3. [Brasil, Informal] Que ou quem gosta de brincar ou de fazer troça. = BRINCALHÃO, TROCISTA


"sacana", in Dicionário Priberam da Língua Portuguesa [em linha], 2008-2024, https://dicionario.priberam.org/sacana.
an alluring charm
alluring - sedutor, tentador, que atrai - https://enpt.dict.cc/?s=alluring
Uma metáfora à volta da palavra pegada será precsamente sedutor, tentador, atraete porque, tal como a pegada marca o chão, a alluring charm marca os sentimentos.
Em a good touch temos a mesma ideia, só que com menos intensidada. Metaforicamente não chega a ser pegada
Ficar-me-ia por alluring charm
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