Brincadeiras com bichinhos falantes em alto mar

What does “faixa preta” mean in Portuguese?

Literally a martial-arts faixa preta is a “black belt,” the top grade in karate, judo or jiu-jitsu — so sou faixa preta em caraté is literally a karate black belt. But Brazilians also stretch it figuratively to any mastered skill: faixa preta em cozinha (“a black belt in the kitchen”) just means a kitchen expert. The structure is faixa preta em (algo), and the figurative boast is usually half-playful, like calling yourself a “pro” at something.

In the clip a talking seal squares up to fight and brags “Eu sou faixa preta em caraté” — a literal black-belt boast, played for laughs. Away from the dojo the idiom stretches to anything non-martial: faixa preta em cozinha (a kitchen expert), faixa preta no Excel, faixa preta em arrumar desculpa (a black belt at making excuses). Note faixa is feminine (a faixa), and the colour follows it: preta, not preto.