mentira tem perna curta

Portuguese

Etymology

Literally, “a lie has short legs”.

Pronunciation

 

• (Brazil) IPA^(key): /mẽˈt͡ʃi.ɾɐ ˈtẽj̃ ˈpɛʁ.nɐ ˈkuʁ.tɐ/ [mẽˈt͡ʃi.ɾɐ ˈtẽɪ̯̃ ˈpɛɦ.nɐ ˈkuh.tɐ]

• (Brazil) IPA^(key): /mẽˈt͡ʃi.ɾɐ ˈtẽj̃ ˈpɛʁ.nɐ ˈkuʁ.tɐ/ [mẽˈt͡ʃi.ɾɐ ˈtẽɪ̯̃ ˈpɛɦ.nɐ ˈkuh.tɐ]
  • (São Paulo) IPA^(key): /mẽˈt͡ʃi.ɾɐ ˈtẽj̃ ˈpɛɾ.nɐ ˈkuɾ.tɐ/ [mẽˈt͡ʃi.ɾɐ ˈtẽɪ̯̃ ˈpɛɾ.nɐ ˈkuɾ.tɐ]
  • (Rio de Janeiro) IPA^(key): /mẽˈt͡ʃi.ɾɐ ˈtẽj̃ ˈpɛʁ.nɐ ˈkuʁ.tɐ/ [mẽˈt͡ʃi.ɾɐ ˈtẽɪ̯̃ ˈpɛʁ.nɐ ˈkuχ.tɐ]
  • (Southern Brazil) IPA^(key): /mẽˈt͡ʃi.ɾa ˈtẽj̃ ˈpɛɻ.na ˈkuɻ.ta/ [mẽˈt͡ʃi.ɾa ˈtẽɪ̯̃ ˈpɛɻ.na ˈkuɻ.ta]

• (Portugal) IPA^(key): /mẽˈti.ɾɐ ˈtɐ̃j̃ ˈpɛɾ.nɐ ˈkuɾ.tɐ/

Proverb

mentira tem perna curta

1. a lie has no legs (one cannot get away with a lie)