Stop Translating in Your Head! 5 Thinking-in-English Tricks for Brazilian Learners
- Jeremy Kimack
- Jun 1
- 2 min read
If you're a Brazilian learning English, you've probably done this:You hear a question in English → translate it to Portuguese → think of your answer in Portuguese → translate it back into English → then finally speak.
That’s exhausting, right?And the worst part? It slows you down and makes you nervous when speaking.
But what if you could think directly in English?
In this post, I'm going to show you 5 practical tricks to help you stop translating and start thinking—and speaking—naturally in English.
Why Is Thinking in English So Important?
When you translate everything in your head, you:
Speak more slowly
Make more mistakes
Lose confidence
Miss the natural rhythm of English conversation
But when you think in English, you:
✅ Respond faster
✅ Improve fluency
✅ Speak more naturally
✅ Feel more confident in real conversations
Trick #1: Start with Simple Words and Phrases
Don’t try to think in perfect sentences right away. Start small.
Replace your Portuguese inner voice with English words for basic things around you.
Instead of thinking “mesa,” say “table.”
Look at your keys and think: “keys.”
See a dog? Say: “a black dog,” not “um cachorro preto.”
Tip: Label objects in your home in English with sticky notes. Say the words out loud when you use them.
Trick #2: Narrate Your Day in English
Throughout your day, practice short English phrases in your head:
“I’m brushing my teeth.”
“Now I’m cooking rice.”
“I need to send a message.”
Don’t worry about grammar. The goal is to make English your default.
Tip: Do this out loud when you're alone to practice pronunciation too.
Trick #3: Use English in Your Daily Routine
Change your phone and social media to English. Here’s how this helps:
You see everyday words more often
You understand how they're used in context
You stop relying on translations
Example: Instead of seeing “Configurações,” you'll read “Settings.” Over time, this becomes automatic.
Trick #4: Think in English Questions and Answers
Practice simple Q&A with yourself:
“What do I want to eat?” → “Maybe rice and chicken.”
“Where am I going today?” → “To the gym.”
“Do I have homework?” → “Yes, I do.”
You're training your brain to think like a conversation.
Tip: Do this while walking, driving, or waiting in line.
Trick #5: Picture Words Instead of Translating
This is a secret that fluent speakers use:Connect English words to images, not to Portuguese words.
Example:
Hear “apple” → see the fruit in your mindNOT: “apple” → “maçã” → picture the fruit
By skipping the translation step, you speed up your brain and speak more naturally.
Final Thoughts: It's a Process, Not Magic
You won’t wake up one day and suddenly think 100% in English—but little by little, it becomes more automatic. Try to use these tricks every day, even for 5 minutes.
Remember: Fluency is not about speaking fast. It’s about thinking clearly—and speaking confidently.
Want Help Thinking in English?
If you're tired of translating in your head and want to speak more naturally, I can help! My conversation-focused classes are made especially for Brazilian learners.We’ll work on real situations, confidence, and fluency—step by step.
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