Here are some basic Portuguese phrases which you can use in everyday conversation, as well as some common words you will see on signs.
Obrigado | Thanks (said by a man) |
Obrigada | Thanks (said by a woman) |
Muito obrigado | Thanks very much (said by a man) |
Muito obrigada | Thanks very much (said by a woman) |
The following are some polite ways you can reply to someone who thanks you:
De nada | You're welcome |
Não tem de quê | Don't mention it |
Ora essa | Not at all |
Saying hello and goodbye
Here are some different ways to greet people:
Bom dia | Good morning (used before noon) |
Boa tarde | Good afternoon (used from noon until dark) |
Boa noite | Good evening (used after dark) |
The following expressions, on the other hand, are some different things you can say when saying goodbye:
Tchau | Bye (informal) |
Adeus | Goodbye |
Boa noite | Goodnight |
Até à vista! | See you! |
Até breve! or Até à próxima! | See you soon! |
Até logo! | See you later! |
Tem um bom dia! | Have a nice day! |
Bom fim de semana! | Have a good weekend! |
Getting someone's attention and apologising
Desculpe | Excuse me |
Com licença | Excuse me (polite expression used to get past someone or when asking permission to do something) |
Perdão | Sorry |
If someone apologises to you, you can reply using one of the following expressions:
Não há problema | No problem |
Tudo bem | It's OK |
Não te preocupes | Don't worry about it |
Making yourself understood
Fala português? | Do you speak Portuguese? |
Fala inglês? | Do you speak English? |
Não falo português | I don't speak Portuguese |
Não falo muito português | I don't speak much Portuguese |
Falo um pouco português | I speak a little Portuguese |
Só falo muito pouco português | I only speak very little Portuguese |
Por favor fale mais devagar | Please speak more slowly |
Por favor escreva isso | Please write it down |
Pode repetir? | Could you please repeat that? |
Percebo | I understand |
Não percebo | I don't understand |
Other basic phrases
Eu sei | I know |
Não sei | I don't know |
Desculpe, onde é a casa de banho? | Excuse me, where's the toilet? |
Things you might see
Entrada | Entrance |
Saída | Exit |
Saída de emergência | Emergency exit |
Casas de banho | Toilets |
WC | WC |
Homens | Gentlemen |
Senhoras | Ladies |
Livre | Vacant |
Ocupado | Occupied |
Fora de serviço | Out of order |
Não fumar | No smoking |
Privado | Private |
Entrada proibida | No entry |