Basic Portuguese phrases for travel

Excuse me

desh-KOOL-peh

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 kom lee-SEN-sah

Please

poor 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

deh NAH-dah

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

I’m sorry

desh-KOOL-peh

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

shtah BAYM

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

Perfect

per-FAY-too

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

That works for me

poor MEEM TOO-doo BAYM

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

No problem

now ah proo-BLEH-mah

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

One moment, please

soh oom moo-MEN-too poor 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-deh ah-zhoo-DAR-meh poor 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

BOH-ash

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

The friendly Portuguese catch-all, short for “boas tardes”. Very casual, very local.

Good morning

bom DEE-ah

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

Good afternoon

BOH-ah TAR-deh

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

Used from lunch until dusk. The Portuguese take their greeting switchovers seriously.

Good evening

BOH-ah NOY-teh

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

ah-DEH-oosh

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

“Adeus” can sound rather final. For everyday partings locals prefer “até logo”.

• Everyday Até logo ah-TEH LOH-goo

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 oom bom DEE-ah

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

My name is [name]

SHAH-moo-meh [NOH-meh]

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

How are you?

KOH-moo shtah

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

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.