Another 500s (Outros 500s)
Updated: Aug 28
The Brazilian Way of Saying: “That’s a Whole Different Story”
Some expressions are poetic. Some are dramatic. And some are just quietly useful when life decides to completely change the subject.
Welcome to: “outros 500s.”
Literally translated: "Another 500s.”
Which sounds like someone suddenly requesting currency from the Middle Ages.
But in real Brazilian Portuguese, it means:
“That’s something else entirely.”
“Different situation.”
“New topic, new problem, new chaos.”
🏰 Where did “500” come from?
Let’s rewind to medieval times (yes, things are about to get historically spicy).
Back in the Iberian Peninsula around the 13th century:
Legal systems used currency called soldos
Offending a noble could result in a fine of 500 soldos
If you repeated the offense… you guessed it: “outros 500”
Meaning: “Another fine. Another consequence. Another problem.”
Over time, the legal seriousness faded, but the phrase survived.
And Brazil did what it always does: adopted it, softened it, and turned it into everyday humor.
☕ Modern meaning (aka: how we actually use it)
Today, “outros 500s” has nothing to do with money or nobles.
It means:
A different issue
A separate situation
A completely new problem
“Let’s not mix these things because they are NOT the same topic”
It’s basically the verbal version of:
“We are not talking about the same thing anymore.”
😂 Real-life examples
1. Relationship logic
“You forgot our anniversary.” “That’s bad… but the rent is late too.”Response: “No, no. That’s outros 500s.”
Meaning: Let’s not combine emotional damage categories.
2. Work life
“We didn’t finish the project.” “Also, the client is angry. ”Manager:
“Ok, but that’s outros 500s.”
Meaning: We are now dealing with multiple layers of chaos separately.
3. Everyday confusion
“You said the plan was simple.” “Yes.” “So why are there 17 steps?” “Ah… that’s outros 500s.”
Meaning: We have officially entered a different universe.
🧠 Why Brazilians love this expression
Because it’s efficient chaos management.
Instead of explaining:
“This is a different issue that should be analyzed separately”
We just say:
“Outros 500s.”
Short. Elegant. Slightly mysterious.Like a legal document… but emotionally accessible.
💡 The hidden wisdom
“Outros quinhentos” teaches something surprisingly practical: Not everything belongs in the same emotional folder.
It’s a reminder that:
Problems have categories
Chaos has structure
And not everything should be handled at the same time (for survival reasons)
☕ Final thought
In Brazil, even medieval tax systems became modern life advice.
So next time someone tries to mix two completely different issues, just calmly say:
“Outros quinhentos.”
Translation: Please do not merge these problems. My emotional bandwidth has limits.
It’s a reminder that:
Problems have categories
Chaos has structure
And not everything should be handled at the same time (for survival reasons)
☕ From Brazil: where even history turns into a very useful way to say “that’s another story entirely.”
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