Most Useful Portuguese Phrases for Everyday Conversation

Portuguese is a beautiful and widely spoken language that is also useful for travel, business, and building connections with people from Portuguese-speaking countries. 

Whether you’re planning a trip to Portugal, Brazil, or any other Portuguese-speaking destination, knowing a few key phrases will improve your experience. 

In this blog post, we’ll go through some of the most useful Portuguese phrases for everyday conversation that will help you navigate common situations with ease.

Greetings and Politeness

Mastering these basic greetings and polite phrases is essential for initiating conversations and showing respect to locals.

• Hello – Olá 

• Good morning – Bom dia 

• Good afternoon – Boa tarde 

• Good evening – Boa noite 

• Please – Por favor 

• Thank you – Obrigado/a (men/women)

• You’re welcome – De nada 

• Excuse me – Com licença 

• I’m sorry – Desculpe

Introductions

These phrases will help you break the ice and get to know new people.

• What’s your name? – Como se chama? 

• My name is … – O meu nome é …

• Nice to meet you – Prazer em conhecê-lo/a (men/women)

• Where are you from? – De onde é? 

• I’m from … – Sou de …

Asking for Directions

These phrases will come in handy when seeking directions.

• How do I get to…? – Como vou para o/a …? 

• Can you help me find…? – Pode ajudar-me a encontrar…? 

• Is it far from here? – Fica longe daqui? 

• Turn left/right – Vire à esquerda/direita 

• Straight ahead – Em frente 

• It’s on the corner – É na esquina

Ordering Food and Drinks

Eating out is a delightful part of any journey and these phrases will help you explore the local gastronomy.

• I would like… – Eu gostaria de… 

• What do you recommend? – O que você recomenda? 

• The bill, please – A conta, por favor 

• Delicious – Delicioso/a 

• I’m a vegetarian – Sou vegetariano/a 

• Can I have the menu? – Posso ver o cardápio?

Shopping

If you are planning some shopping during your trip, take these phrases with you.

• How much is this? – Quanto custa isto? 

• Do you have this in a different size/color? – Tem isto em tamanho/cor diferente? 

• I’ll take it – Vou levar 

• Can I pay with a credit card? – Posso pagar com cartão de crédito? 

• Do you have a fitting room? – Tem um provador? 

• What’s your return policy? – Qual é a política de devolução?

Emergencies

Hopefully, you won’t need these phrases. However, it’s always good to be prepared for unexpected situations.

• Help! – Socorro! 

• I need a doctor – Preciso de um médico 

• Call the police – Chame a polícia 

• I’ve lost my passport – Perdi o meu passaporte 

• Is there a hospital nearby? – Há um hospital por perto? 

• I’m lost – Estou perdido/a

Conclusion

Learning a few essential Portuguese phrases can enhance your travel experience and open doors to meaningful interactions with locals. 

By mastering these phrases for greetings, introductions, directions, dining, shopping, and emergencies, you’ll be well-equipped for everyday conversations. 

So, whether you’re exploring the historic streets of Lisbon or the beaches of Rio de Janeiro, don’t be afraid to engage in conversations and immerse yourself in the local culture. 

Boa viagem!