Useful Portuguese Phrases for Tourists
Surely you won’t learn Portuguese from this guide. Nevertheless, it will most definitely be helpful to have a minimal understanding of the language and to know how to start a basic dialogue. That being said, here you have a little guide to help you get what you want in most situations you will phase as a tourist in Portugal[1]
Basic Portuguese Phrases (English to Portuguese)
Hello! – Olá!
Hi! – Oi!
Good morning! – Bom dia!
Good afternoon! – Boa tarde!
Good evening! – Boa noite!
Welcome to Portugal! – Bem-vindo/a a Portugal!
Thank you! – Obrigado/a![2]
I’m very thankful! – Eu estou muito agradecido/a!
Appreciated! – Agradecido/a!
You’re welcome! – De nada!
Nice to meet you! – Prazer em conhecê-lo/a!
My name is … – O meu nome é …
How are you? – Como está?
And you? – E o/a senhor(a)?
Thank you for your help! – Obrigado/a pela sua ajuda.
It was a pleasure to meet you! – Foi um prazer conhecê-lo/a.
Best regards. – Melhores cumprimentos.
See you soon! – Até já!
See you later! – Até logo!
See you tomorrow! – Até amanhã!
Give me a hug! – Dê-me um abraço!
Give me a kiss![3] – Dê-me um beijo!
Handshake. – Mãozada/Passou bem.
Goodbye! – Adeus!
Bye! – Xau!
Do you speak English? – Fala Inglês?
I only speak English. – Eu só falo Inglês.
I don’t speak Portuguese very well. – Eu não falo Português muito bem.
I need some help. – Eu preciso de ajuda.
What did you say? – O que disse?
Can you repeat that, please? – Pode repetir, por favor?
Can you translate for me? – Pode traduzir para mim?
Could you speak more slowly, please? – Podia falar mais devagar, por favor?
One more time. – Mais uma vez.
What does that mean? – O que significa isso?
How do you say this in Portuguese? – Como se diz isto em Português?
How do you say that in English? – Como se diz isso em Inglês?
How do you spell it? – Como se soletra?
I understand. – Eu percebo/entendo.
I don’t understand. – Não percebo/entendo.
Could you write that down, please? – Pode escrever isso, por favor?
Do you speak English? – Fala Inglês?
I’m lost. – Estou perdido/a.
Can you help me, please? – Pode ajudar-me, por favor?
Just a moment. – Um momento.
Yes. – Sim.
No. – Não.
This. – Isto.
That. – Aquilo/Aquele/a.
Those. – Aqueles/as
These. – Estes/as.
Where is the bathroom? – Onde é a casa de banho?
I’m sorry. – Lamento/Desculpe.
Excuse me. – Com licença/Desculpe.
Please. – Por favor.
I’m … years old. – Eu tenho … anos.
Is everything ok? – Está tudo bem?
Everything is great! – Está tudo bem.
I’m fine! – Estou bem!
Let’s go! – Vamos!
No problem. – Sem problema/Não há problema.
Ok. – Ok.
Sure. – Claro/Com certeza.
Where is the entrance – Onde é a entrada?
It’s open. – Está aberto.
It’s closed. – Está fechado.
Danger! – Perigo!
Watch out! – Cuidado!
It’s an emergency. – É uma emergência.
It’s urgent. – É urgente.
Please, hurry. – Por favor, despache–se.
No exit here. – Não há saída aqui.
Ladies and gentlemen. – Senhoras e senhores.
Mr. – Senhor
Mrs. – Senhora
Man – Homem
Woman – Mulher
[1] Tip: A good way to start any conversation and to make everyone you meet instantly like you, is to start every sentence with a greeting, such as «Olá/Oi» (Hello/Hi!) or « Bom dia!» (Good morning), or even «Desculpe!» (Excuse me!), instead of going straight to what you want to say; and always end it with «por favor/se faz favor» (please) or «se não se importa» (if you don’t mind), and a «Obrigado/a» (Thank you). Especially in Portugal, manners and politeness are very much appreciated, so those few details will help you start out elegantly. A good tip to graciously start any conversation and to make everyone you meet instantly like you is to start every sentence with a greeting, such as «Olá/Oi» (Hello/Hi!) or « Bom dia!» (Good morning), or even «Desculpe!» (Excuse me!), instead of going straight to what you want to say; and always end it with «por favor/se faz favor» (please) or «se não se importa» (if you don’t mind), and a «Obrigado/a» (Thank you). Especially in Portugal, manners and politeness are very much appreciated, so those few details will help you start out elegantly.
[2] You should say «Obrigado» if you are a man, and «Obrigada» if you are a woman. It does not depend on whoever you are saying it to.
[3] It is very common in many countries throughout Europe to give kisses when greeting or saying goodbye. In Portugal, people exchange two kisses, one for each cheek. However, if it is a formal situation you can just give a handshake. Generally, Portuguese are very caring and warm people, so get used to more touches and hugs when you get more comfortable and familiar with a native!
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