Essential Phrases in Brazilian Portuguese

In this post, you'll learn and practice some essential phrases in Brazilian Portuguese for when you are travelling in Brazil.

These essential phrases in Brazilian Portuguese will not only be useful for when you are travelling in Brazil, but also if would just like to know a few words to say to your Brazilian partner or friends, or even if you just want to start learning Brazilian Portuguese for fun!

1. Oi. Tudo bem?

The most common way Brazilians greet each other is Oi. Tudo bem? The literal translation here is Hi. All well? You can use this greeting with anyone, any time of the day.

2. Você pode me ajudar, por favor?

If you need help from someone, either in a shop, restaurant or even in the street, if you want to ask directions for example, you can say Você pode me ajudar? | Can you help me?

You can then add por favor, which means please.

3. Onde é o banheiro, por favor?

To ask where something is you need the question word onde, which means where. Let's say you are in a restaurant and you want to know where the toilet is. The word for toilet or bathroom is banheiro. Onde é o banheiro, por favor? | Where is the bathroom, please?

[audio wav="https://funwithbrazilianportuguese.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Onde-e-o-banheiro-por-favor.wav"][/audio]

4. Desculpa. Não entendi.

If you don't understand the reply you can say Desculpa. Não entendi. | I'm sorry. I didn't understand.

[audio wav="https://funwithbrazilianportuguese.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Desculpa.-Nao-entendi.wav"][/audio]

5. Você fala inglês?

So, after you've tried speaking Portuguese but you're still having problems, as a last resort you can ask if the person speaks English. It is estimated that only 3% of the Brazilian population speak English fluently, but you might be in luck. Você fala inglês? | Do you speak English?

[audio wav="https://funwithbrazilianportuguese.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Voce-fala-ingles.wav"][/audio]

6. obrigado / obrigada

After you got your answer, to say thank you you need to say obrigado, if you're a man, or obrigada if you're a woman.

7. Tchau! Até mais!

When it's time to say goodbye all you need to say is Tchau! But you can also add Até mais!, which is the short version of Até mais tarde! | It literally means Until later, but it's the equivalent of See you later.

Now you know some important phrases in Brazilian Portuguese that can be useful not only when you are travelling in Brazil but also if you are just starting learning the language.

Categories: : Vocabulary, How to Say Anything in Brazilian Portuguese