Janeiro: What the Month of January Has to Do with Doors

Welcome to Janeiro, the first month of the year and in many ways, the doorway to everything ahead.

But did you know that Janeiro and door are historically linked?

Let’s step back in time to Ancient Rome.

🏛️ From Janus to Janeiro

The word Janeiro comes from the Latin Ianuarius, which was the name of the month dedicated to the Roman god Janus.

Janus was the god of:

• Beginnings and endings
• Transitions and thresholds
• Gates and doors (ianua in Latin)

He’s often depicted with two faces: one looking to the past, the other to the future.

That symbolism makes him the perfect figure to represent January, a time to reflect and to move forward.

🚪 Ianua → Janus → Janeiro

The Latin word for door, ianua, is the root of Janus, which gives us:

• Janus (Roman god)
• Ianuarius (Latin for January)
• Janeiro (modern Portuguese)

So when you say “Janeiro,” you’re echoing a word that meant gate or doorway an entrance to a new phase of time.

🗓️ More Than Just a Month

For language learners, this symbolism is especially meaningful.

Every January is a threshold, a new opportunity to commit, restart, or simply continue.

Maybe this is the month you:

• Restart your study habit
• Try a new app or resource
• Sign up for a class
• Read your first book in Portuguese

Whatever your next step is, think of Janeiro as your doorway.

Final Thought

Learning a language is full of small doors: new words, new grammar, new courage to speak.

This month, take inspiration from Janeiro and walk confidently through the next one.