I work in translation and copyediting, compiling these lists while working on a book are super useful in future jobs. Some are new words, some are not. The focus here is translation, not building new vocab per se (that might be considered just a consequence).

✦⸻ jobs so far [2025]

• ▢ ⠀・⠀ line editing of a scifi short story
• ▨ ⠀・⠀ translation of a romantasy book
• ▣ ⠀・⠀ sensitivity reading for a short story
• ▣ ⠀・⠀ copyedited the translation of a thriller

✦⸻ tips for self

• two screens is better than one.
• 50min pomodoro is better than 25min.
• have water and a physical copy of dictionaries, grammars and thesaurus at hand; sometimes the internet does disappoint.
• never underline, highlight or use bold in any part; if you want to go back to a specific place, leave a comment for yourself. (copyediting)
• sometimes it's better to first read the translation and then the original; it prevents "tradutês" while ensuring clarity. (copyediting)
• only tools you (actually) need:
  • ticktick
  • powertoys
  • notion
  • ambient playlist
• reference:
  • dicionário de sinônimos
  • dicionário criativo
  • merriam webster (thesaurus and dictionary)
  • reverso
  • deepl
  • manual de redação do estadão
  • dicionário analógico (Caldas Aulete)
  • gramática(s) (Cegalla, Houaiss, Bechara)
  • VOLP

✦⸻ expressions & words [eng-ptbr]

• Amido Black - amido black
• close range - queima-roupa
• scraps of fabric - retalhos (de tecido)
• scent in the air - empesteia o ar (negativo)
• monotonous voice - voz monocórdia
• caked with - emplastrados de
• mishmash - mixórdia
• shorten his lead - diminuir a vantagem
• court of appeal - tribunal de segunda instância
• be released (from prison) - sair em liberdade
• anti-wave rope - raia (de piscina)
• bloodshot eyes - olhos injetados
• reeded glass - vidro canelado
• dormer - água-furtada
• dormer window - janela do sótão
• flutter - adejar
• tensing - retesando
• Snorts - resfolega
• supporting wall - muro de arrimo
• sound/noise - alarido
• dresses properly - se veste com apuro
• gasping - arquejo
• overwhelm - arrebatar
• unusual urges - impulsos insólitos
• smells - recende
• rain - aguaceiro
• bed (of a truck) - caçamba
• fallow - pousio
• sweeping the room - esquadrinha o recinto
• * battering ram = aríete
• straining = extenuante
• leaden sky = céu plúmbeo
• glistens = refulge
• (rain) getting heavier = recrudesce
• blinks = pestanejar
• the gears screech = guincho estridente da troca de marchas
• level out = amainar
• Prosecution Authority = promotoria
• dressed up = vestiu-se com apuro
• recoil = coice (de arma)
• abutment = pilastra
• spray = esguicho
• window frame = esquadria
• engine ticking over = carro em ponto morto
• puts the car into gear = engata a primeira
• handbreak = freio de mão
• interchange = trevo rodoviário
• recede = arrefecer
• spill out = despejar
• noise = alarido
• hacksaw = arco de serra
• breathing quickly = ritmo precipitado
• battering ram = aríete
• straining = extenuante
• leaden sky = céu plúmbeo
• glistens = refulge
• (rain) getting heavier = recrudesce
• blinks = pestanejar
• the gears screech = guincho estridente da troca de marchas
• level out = amainar
• Prosecution Authority = promotoria
• dressed up = vestiu-se com apuro
• recoil = coice (de arma)
• abutment = pilastra
• spray = esguicho
• window frame = esquadria
• engine ticking over = carro em ponto morto
• puts the car into gear = engata a primeira
• handbreak = freio de mão
• interchange = trevo rodoviário
• recede = arrefecer
• spill out = despejar
• noise = alarido
• hacksaw = arco de serra
• breathing quickly = ritmo precipitado