Common Portuguese Phrases and Words for Your Next Trip to Brazil or Portugal
No need to tell us obrigada for these tips.
Brazil and Portugal are thousands of miles apart, but they have a lot in common: gorgeous beaches, vibrant cities, and the beautiful Portuguese language. Whether you're wandering the hilly streets of Lisbon, snacking on delicious egg tarts, or lounging on the Algarve's stunning beaches, knowing some basic Portuguese can make your trip even better (even though many people in popular tourist areas do speak English).
Related:More travel tips
Meanwhile, in the land of samba and caipirinhas, body language does go a long way. But Brazilians are a very gregarious bunch, and as soon as you arrive and see the crowds of people hanging out on Ipanema Beach, dancing in the streets to live music, or chatting over açaí and snacks at the ubiquitous juice stands, you'll wish you had brushed up on a few introductory words and phrases to better interact with locals. Thankfully, most Brazilians are more than happy to practice with you — and they'll be extra impressed if you already know a thing or two.
Just a note: Brazilians tend to be pretty casual with language, so you can almost always use the informal versions below.
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Here are the basic Portuguese words, phrases, and slang to learn before your next trip to Brazil or Portugal.
Basic Portuguese Phrases and Words
Hello: Oi (informal); olá (formal)
How are you?: Como está?; tudo bem? (In response, you can say "tudo bem" as well, meaning "everything's good.")
How's it going?: Como vai?; como está indo?
Goodbye: Tchau (informal); adeus (formal)
See you later: Até mais
See you soon: Até logo
See you tomorrow: Até amanhã
Good morning: Bom dia
Good afternoon: Boa tarde
Good evening/good night: Boa noite
Please: Por favor
Thank you: Obrigada (if you are female), obrigado (if you are male) (Tip: Locals often shorten this to 'brigada or 'bridago, omitting the first "o")
Thank you very much: Muito obrigada/o
You're welcome: De nada
What's your name?: Qual é o seu nome? (informal); Como se chama? (formal)
My name is…: Meu nome é… (informal); Me chamo... (formal)
Pleased to meet you: Prazer
Friend: Amigo (masculine); Amiga (feminine)
Family: Família
Father/mother: Pai/mãe
Boyfriend/girlfriend: Namorado/namorada
Mr./mrs./miss: Senhor/senhora/senhorita
Beautiful: Lindo (if the object you're describing is masculine); linda (feminine)
Good: Bom (if the object you're describing is masculine); boa (feminine)
Bad: Mau; Ruim
Yes: Sim
No: Não
I don't know: Não sei
I'm sorry/excuse me: Desculpa
Excuse me (passing through a crowd or asking to pass by someone): Com licença
Today: Hoje
Tomorrow: Amanhã
Yesterday: Ontem
Day: Dia
Week: Semana
Weekend: Fim de semana
Who?: Quem?
What?: Que? (When asking solely "what?" you say, "O que?")
Where?: Onde?
When?: Quando?
Why?: Por quê?
Which?: Qual?
How much?: Quanto?
Useful Portuguese Words for Travelers
Airport: Aeroporto
Taxi: Táxi
Subway: Metrô
Subway station: Estação de metrô
Train: Trem
Train station: Estação de trem
Bus: Ônibus
Bus stop: Ponto de ônibus
Car: Carro (Tip: Double Rs in Portuguese are pronounced as an "h" sound, so this is pronounced ca-ho.)
Luggage: Bagagem
Ticket: Bilhete
Beach: Praia
City: Cidade
Restaurant: Restaurante (Tip: Rs at the beginning of words in Portuguese are pronounced as an "h" sound, so this is pronounced hes-taur-ronch.)
Bathroom: Banheiro
Store: Loja
Hotel: Hotel
Hostel: Albergue
Food: Comida
Drink: Bebida
Breakfast: Café da manhã
Lunch: Almoço
Dinner: Jantar
Snack: Lanche, petiscos
Wine: Vinho; vinho tinto (red wine); vinho branco (white wine)
Beer: Cerveja
Expensive: Caro
Cheap: Barato
Street: Rua
Hospital: Hospital
Help: Ajuda
Police: Polícia
Bank: Banco
ATM: Caixa eletrônico
Left: Esquerda
Right: Direita
Go straight: Siga; vai direto
Common Portuguese Phrases for Travelers
Where is the bathroom?: Onde fica o banheiro?
Do you speak English?: Você fala Inglês?
I don't understand: Eu não entendo
What?/Say that again?: O quê?
I don't speak Portuguese: Não falo Português
How much does this cost?: Quanto custa isso?
Check, please: A conta, por favor
Cheers! (when toasting drinks): Saúde!
I'm lost: Estou perdido (if you are male); Estou perdida (if you are female)
Let's go: Vamos!; vamos embora!
I would like...: Eu gostaria...
I like…: Eu gosto...
I don't like…: Eu não gosto...
I am from/I come from…: Eu sou de…
Where are you from?: De onde você é?
Important Phrases for Any Trip to Brazil
This city is marvelous: Essa cidade é maravilhosa
Very good: Muito bom
One more (drink)!: Mais uma!
I'd like an açaí with banana, please: Quero um açaí com banana, por favor (Trust us, you'll want to order this)
Let's go to the beach: Vamos a praia
I will miss this place: Vou ter saudades desse lugar
Portuguese Slang Words and Phrases
What's up?: E ai?
Alright (to show agreement and enthusiasm): Beleza
Cool!: Legal!
Awesome: Bacana
Thanks (informal/colloquial): Valeu!
Wow/no way (a general exclamation in reaction to something): Nossa (or nossa senhora)
All good?/It's alright?: Ta bom? (If someone asks you this, you respond with "ta" to say "yes")
Who knows/I have no idea: Sei la
Guy/girl: Cara (this is used to address in an informal, colloquial manner, as "man" or "dude" is used in the U.S.)
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