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 |
