Constipação in Portuguese can refer to a common cold or nasal congestion. While it might sound like the English word "constipation," its meaning in this context is entirely different.
In "Dia Mau," the singer starts by listing all the things going wrong on a bad day, and waking up with a cold is one of them. It's an interesting word because of this false cognate, making it memorable and a good learning point for English speakers.
Dia Mau invites us into the most relatable story ever: waking up on the wrong side of the bed. Portuguese singer Tomás Adrião lists every little nuisance we all know so well—catching a cold, racing to a job that drains our energy, and realizing our wallet is painfully light. The chorus repeats like a friendly mantra: “É só mais um dia mau” (“It’s just one more bad day”). This catchy loop turns frustration into humor, reminding us that a single rough morning does not define our entire life.
Instead of sinking into gloom, the song celebrates resilience. Adrião looks in the mirror, acknowledges his flaws, and marches forward without fear of singing off-key or stumbling over setbacks. By naming and normalizing the struggle, he diffuses its power. Dia Mau becomes a feel-good anthem for embracing imperfection, shrugging at life’s hiccups, and holding on to the quiet optimism that tomorrow can—and probably will—be better.