Glossary

EN ↔ PT
Axé
Game Mechanics
Pronounced: ah-SHAY

Your life force / health points. When it reaches zero, you lose. In Candomblé tradition, Axé is spiritual power.

RhythmRitmo
Game Mechanics
Pronounced: HITCH-moo

The energy resource used to play cards. Represented by ritmo beads (⚡). You gain it through Ginga.

Ginga
Game Mechanics
Pronounced: ZHING-gah

The foundational swaying movement of Capoeira. In the game, performing Ginga earns you Ritmo beads.

TurnTurno
Game Mechanics
Pronounced: TOOR-noo

Each player takes turns playing cards and performing actions.

ActionAção
Game Mechanics
Pronounced: ah-SOW

Each turn you have 3 actions to spend playing cards or performing Ginga.

AttackAtaque
Card Types
Pronounced: ah-TAH-kay

Offensive cards that deal damage to your opponent.

Quebra
Card Types
Pronounced: KAY-brah

Feint / break movement. These cards power up specific attack types when played beforehand.

Passada
Card Types
Pronounced: pah-SAH-dah

Footwork / evasion movement. These cards automatically block matching attack types.

Orquestra
Card Types
Pronounced: or-KES-trah

The musical instrument ensemble. Having one allows you to play Song cards.

SongMúsica
Card Types
Pronounced: MOO-zee-kah

Musical cards that grant free bonus effects — extra rhythm, actions, or more.

Patuá
Card Types
Pronounced: pah-too-AH

A sacred amulet / charm. These are special power-up cards with unique instant effects.

Golpe
Attack Subtypes
Pronounced: GOL-pay

Strike / blow. A direct attack. Can be dodged with the Esquiva Patuá.

Queda
Attack Subtypes
Pronounced: KAY-dah

Takedown / sweep. A low attack that trips the opponent.

Floreio
Attack Subtypes
Pronounced: flo-RAY-oh

Acrobatic flourish. A showy spinning or aerial attack.

Finta
Quebra Subtypes
Pronounced: FEEN-tah

Feint. A deceptive movement that boosts the power of Golpe (strike) attacks.

Desafio
Quebra Subtypes
Pronounced: deh-zah-FEE-oh

Challenge / provocation. A taunting movement that boosts the power of Queda (sweep) attacks.

Giro
Quebra Subtypes
Pronounced: ZHEE-roo

Spin. A spinning movement that boosts the power of Floreio (acrobatic) attacks.

Esquiva
Patuá Subtypes
Pronounced: es-KEE-vah

Dodge / evasion. A reactive Patuá charm — play it when attacked to negate all damage (costs 1 rhythm).

Lateral StepPasso Lateral
Passada Subtypes
Pronounced: PAH-soo lah-teh-RAL

A side-step evasion. Automatically blocks Golpe (strike) attacks.

Jump (Passar Pulando)Passar Pulando
Passada Subtypes
Pronounced: pah-SAR poo-LAN-doo

Leaping over. Automatically blocks Floreio (acrobatic) attacks.

Rear Step (Passada de Trás)Passada de Trás
Passada Subtypes
Pronounced: pah-SAH-dah jeh TRAHS

Stepping backward. Automatically blocks Queda (sweep) attacks.

Ladainha
Song Types
Pronounced: lah-dah-EEN-yah

A slow, solo lament. When played, grants +1 Ritmo bead and blocks the opponent's counter-attack for that turn.

Corrido
Song Types
Pronounced: ko-HEE-doo

A fast-paced call-and-response song. Grants +1 extra Action when played.

Chula
Song Types
Pronounced: SHOO-lah

A traditional verse sung in the roda. Lets you choose between +2 Ritmo beads OR +1 Action.

Berimbau
Instruments
Pronounced: beh-rim-BOW

The iconic one-stringed bow instrument that leads the Capoeira roda. Dictates the rhythm and style of the game.

Atabaque
Instruments
Pronounced: ah-tah-BAH-kay

A tall hand drum that provides the rhythmic foundation alongside the Berimbau.

Pandeiro
Instruments
Pronounced: pan-DAY-roo

A tambourine-like hand drum that adds texture to the musical ensemble.

AngolaCapoeira Angola
Game Styles (Decks)
Pronounced: an-GOH-lah

The traditional, original style of Capoeira. Slower, more cunning, and ground-based. Balanced & Defensive playstyle.

Regional (Pequeno)São Bento Pequeno
Game Styles (Decks)
Pronounced: sow BEN-too peh-KAY-noo

A faster rhythm style from Capoeira Regional. Quick and evasive playstyle.

GrandeSão Bento Grande
Game Styles (Decks)
Pronounced: sow BEN-too GRAN-jay

A powerful, aggressive rhythm style. Heavy strikes and powerful attacks.

Roda
Cultural Terms
Pronounced: HOH-dah

The circle formed by capoeiristas and musicians in which the game is played.

Mestre
Cultural Terms
Pronounced: MES-tray

Master. The highest rank in Capoeira — a respected teacher and keeper of the tradition.

Jogo
Cultural Terms
Pronounced: ZHO-goo

The game / play. Refers to the physical dialogue between two capoeiristas in the roda.

Candomblé
Cultural Terms
Pronounced: kan-dom-BLAY

An Afro-Brazilian spiritual tradition. Many Capoeira concepts (like Axé and Orixá) come from Candomblé.

Orixá
Cultural Terms
Pronounced: oh-ree-SHA

Divine spirits in Candomblé tradition. In the game, Orixás represent different elemental blessings.

Malandragem
Cultural Terms
Pronounced: mah-lan-DRAH-zhehm

Cunning / trickery. The art of being clever and deceptive — a key element of Capoeira Angola.