Search instructions

[Simon]

People visiting my glossword website don't seem to understand how to
search. I know that there are search instructions on the results page
when no results come up, but

1 - is there a way to put text into the search bar with brief
instructions, so people would be forced to read it before searching,
and which would go away upon clicking in the search box (such as
instructions on searching with the "*" parameter)?

2 - how do I translate the interface into Portuguese? I have tried and
even followed some instructions I found on the site, but it always
breaks the site when I try. I wouldn't need to translate everything
just some main items.

Thanks!