Daily life
Zona Franca
ZOH-nah FRAHN-kah
The free-trade zone created in 1967 and administered by SUFRAMA. It is not a district of the city — it is the tax regime the whole city runs on.
Igarapé
ee-gah-rah-PEH
A small watercourse. Dozens run through Manaus, they define where the city could and could not be built, and their names appear in half the addresses.
Cheia / vazante / seca
SHAY-ah / vah-ZAHN-chee / SEH-kah
The flood, the falling water and the dry season. The Rio Negro moves through a range of roughly ten metres over a year and the whole regional calendar follows it.
CPF
seh-peh-EFF-ee
Brazil's taxpayer number and, since 2023, its single national identification number. Obtainable from abroad, required for everything.
CRNM
seh-heh-en-EM-ee
The foreign resident card issued by the Federal Police after you register. Your proof of legal residence in Brazil.
Pix
peeks
Free instant transfer between Brazilian accounts, used for rent, the market stall and the boat fare alike.
Social
Banzeiro
bahn-ZAY-roo
The swell a passing boat or a wind throws up on the river. Also used for turbulence in general — 'estou num banzeiro' is having a rough time.
Maninho / maninha
mah-NEE-nyoo
Mate, pal — the standard friendly address in Manaus, used to strangers and friends alike. Where a paulista says 'cara', here it is 'maninho'.
Food
Tacacá / jambu
tah-kah-KAH / ZHAM-boo
A hot tucupi broth with dried shrimp and jambu, a leaf that makes your mouth tingle and go numb. Sold from evening street stalls and completely unlike anything else in Brazil.
Tambaqui / pirarucu
tam-bah-KEE / pee-rah-roo-KOO
The two river fish everything here is built around. Tambaqui ribs on the grill and pirarucu de casaca are the dishes to order first.
Culture
Boi Bumbá — Garantido e Caprichoso
boy boom-BAH
The rival red and blue bulls of the Parintins festival in late June. Asking a manauara which one they support is a real question with a real answer.
Emergency
190 / 192 / 193
Police / ambulance / fire
Brazil's emergency numbers, free from any phone anywhere in the country.
Some of this may be out of date. Spotted something inaccurate? Help us keep it right for the next newcomer.