Basic Brazilian Portuguese phrases for travel

Excuse me

jees-KOOL-pee

Use it to get someone’s attention before a question, or to squeeze past on a crowded metro.

“Desculpe” gets attention or apologises; “com licença” is for squeezing past someone.

• Passing by Com licença kong lee-SEN-sah

Please

por fah-VOR

Add it to any order or request.

Thank you

oh-bree-GAH-doo

Say it after any small service, such as a waiter bringing a dish or a shopkeeper handing over change.

Portuguese thanks agree with the speaker: men say “obrigado”, women say “obrigada”. Always, regardless of who’s being thanked.

• If you’re a woman Obrigada oh-bree-GAH-dah

Thank you very much

MWEE-too oh-bree-GAH-doo

Use it when someone has gone out of their way to help and you want to show extra gratitude.

• If you’re a woman Muito obrigada MWEE-too oh-bree-GAH-dah

You’re welcome

jee NAH-dah

Use it after someone thanks you. “No problem” is a more casual alternative.

I’m sorry

jees-KOOL-pah

Use it to apologise when you’ve made a mistake or caused someone trouble.

Yes

seem

Useful for confirming a price or accepting an offer.

No

now

Use it to turn down an offer or an extra you didn’t ask for.

Okay

tah BOM

Use it to agree to a plan, a price, a meeting time or a pickup point.

The everyday Brazilian okay. “Beleza” is the laid-back alternative you’ll hear everywhere.

Perfect

per-FAY-too

A warmer “okay” for when a suggestion suits you.

That works for me

por MEEN TOO-doo BAYN

Use it to accept a suggestion, such as a later table or a different room.

No problem

sayn proh-BLEH-mah

Use it when someone apologises to you, or to wave off a small inconvenience.

One moment, please

soh oong moh-MEN-too por fah-VOR

Buy yourself a few seconds at the counter while you find your wallet or decide what to buy.

Could you help me, please?

POH-jee mee ah-zhoo-DAR por fah-VOR

The polite way to open a request for assistance.

Hello

oh-LAH

An everyday greeting polite enough for staff and strangers. One of the first things you should learn in any language.

Hi

oy

The casual “hello” for friends and anyone you know well.

The everyday Brazilian hi, used with everyone from friends to shop staff.

Good morning

bom JEE-ah

Use it until around midday when you greet staff in a shop, café or hotel.

Good afternoon

BOH-ah TAR-jee

For the stretch between lunch and evening. When people switch to “good evening” varies, so follow what locals say to you.

Used from midday until it gets dark.

Good evening

BOH-ah NOY-chee

The greeting for later in the day: walking into a restaurant for dinner, or checking in after dark.

Greeting and good-night in one, used from nightfall onwards.

Goodbye

chow

Say it as you leave a shop or get out of a taxi.

“Adeus” sounds final in Brazil; “tchau” is the everyday goodbye.

• Also common Até mais ah-TEH MICE

See you later

ah-TEH LOH-goo

For people you’ll see again, such as hotel staff or the barista you visit each morning.

Have a good day

TEN-yah oong bom JEE-ah

A sign-off after a short exchange, such as paying in a shop.

My name is [name]

mee SHAH-moo [NOH-mee]

It’s useful to introduce yourself in the local language, especially when meeting people during your travels.

How are you?

TOO-doo BAYN

Follow your greeting with it. Some people answer briefly, others treat it as a real question.

“Tudo bem?” is more greeting than question. Reply “tudo bem” and ask it back.

I’m well, thank you

baym oh-bree-GAH-doo

The standard reply to “How are you?”. Ask the question back if you want to continue the conversation.

• If you’re a woman Bem, obrigada baym oh-bree-GAH-dah

Nice to meet you

MWEE-too prah-ZEHR

A useful phrase when meeting someone new on your travels. Saying it in the local language is a nice touch.

Genderless and always right. Portuguese makes this one easy.