70 Common Portuguese Phrases to Jumpstart Your Learning

Ready to transform that obrigado from a shy mumble into a confident greeting that wins hearts in Lisbon, Rio, and everywhere in between? You’re in the right place. This guide rounds up the most common Portuguese phrases every traveler and budding linguist should know, sprinkled with cultural tidbits and nuance so you speak like someone who’s actually been there (or at least binge-watched enough Brazilian telenovelas to fake it convincingly).

We’ll break the phrases into bite-sized categories—think greetings, food, and asking for help—each prefaced by a mini deep-dive so you understand why these words matter, not just how to say them.

Basic Hellos & Goodbyes

Portuguese loves warmth. A proper Portuguese greeting opens doors, earns smiles, and sometimes scores free pastries (true story: try “bom dia” with a big grin in a Lisbon café). Before we sprint to complex sentences, nail these essentials. They’re the foundation for any stack of Portuguese phrases you’ll build later.

1. Olá – Hello
2. Oi – Hi (Brazilian, ultra-casual)
3. Bom dia – Good morning
4. Boa tarde – Good afternoon
5. Boa noite – Good evening / Good night
6. Tchau – Bye (Brazilian)
7. Adeus – Goodbye (formal, more European)
8. Até logo – See you soon
9. Até amanhã – See you tomorrow
10. Prazer – Nice to meet you

Polite Essentials & Small-Talk Sparks

Politeness is currency. Sprinkle “por favor” generously and people may go the extra mile to help you. This section arms you with ten common Portuguese phrases that keep conversations smooth and hearts warm. Before the list, know this: saying “com licença” (excuse me) before brushing past someone on a crowded tram is chef’s kiss good manners. It signals you’re not just a tourist—you respect local social space.

11. Por favor – Please
12. Obrigado / Obrigada – Thank you (masc. / fem. speaker)
13. De nada – You’re welcome
14. Com licença – Excuse me (to pass or get attention)
15. Desculpe – I’m sorry
16. Tudo bem? – How are you? (lit. “All good?”)
17. Tudo ótimo! – I’m great!
18. Mais ou menos – So-so
19. Prazer em conhecê-lo/la – Pleasure to meet you (formal)
20. Bom fim-de-semana – Have a good weekend

Portuguese Phrases for Getting Around: Directions & Transportation

Lost in Porto’s maze of cobblestones or São Paulo’s metro sprawl? These directional Portuguese phrases rescue you without relying on shaky data roaming. First, remember locals will often point with the whole hand rather than a single finger—watch for that cultural hint.

21. Onde fica…? – Where is…?
22. Como chego a…? – How do I get to…?
23. Direita – Right
24. Esquerda – Left
25. Em frente – Straight ahead
26. Perto – Near
27. Longe – Far
28. A estação de metrô – The subway station
29. O ponto de ônibus – The bus stop
30. Pode chamar um táxi? – Can you call a taxi?

Flex your new vocab live with native speakers— Tandem lets you ask locals for their favorite hidden viewpoints in seconds.

Dining & Drinking Like a Local

Portuguese cuisine is a mouth-watering parade: pastéis de nata, feijoada, bacalhau… The following lines help you order, toast, and compliment a dish without pointing awkwardly at the menu. Before you dig in, note that tipping is modest (5–10% max) and you’ll impress servers by praising the chef: “Estava delicioso!”

31. Quero / Gostaria de… – I’d like…
32. Uma mesa para dois, por favor – A table for two, please
33. O cardápio, por favor – The menu, please
34. Sem glúten / lactose – Gluten-free / dairy-free
35. Posso ver a carta de vinhos? – May I see the wine list?
36. Está tudo incluso? – Is everything included?
37. A conta, por favor – The bill, please
38. Saúde! – Cheers!
39. Estava delicioso – It was delicious
40. Pode embrulhar para viagem? – Can you wrap it to go?

Portuguese Phrases for Shopping & Bargaining

From Lisbon’s LX Factory boutiques to Rio’s street markets, savvy shoppers use these common Portuguese phrases to snag deals—and souvenirs that aren’t overpriced magnets. Pro tip: prices in Brazil’s open markets can be negotiable. Smile, ask “Faz desconto?” and enjoy the dance.

41. Quanto custa? – How much does it cost?
42. Aceita cartão? – Do you take card?
43. Em dinheiro – In cash
44. Desconto – Discount
45. Faz desconto? – Can you give a discount?
46. Muito caro – Too expensive
47. Posso experimentar? – Can I try it on?
48. Tem em outro tamanho / cor? – Do you have another size / color?
49. Estou só olhando – I’m just looking
50. Vou levar – I’ll take it

Social & Slangy Extras

Real talk: textbooks rarely prepare you for the playful rhythms locals use after that second caipirinha. While full slang deserves its own article (hello, Portuguese slang!), the sample below keeps you sounding fresh without veering into NSFW territory.

51. Legal! – Cool!
52. Beleza? – All good? (informal greeting)
53. Tranquilo – No worries / Chill
54. Tá bom – Alright / Okay
55. Bora lá! – Let’s go!
56. Poxa! – Darn! / Wow!
57. E aí? – What’s up?
58. Valeu! – Thanks! (Brazilian, casual)
59. Cara / Gata – Dude / Girl (casual address)
60. Partiu? – Ready to roll?

Portuguese Phrases for Emergencies & Health

No one plans for mishaps, but a few lifesaving Portuguese phrases can calm chaos. Learn them now; hope you never need them.

61. Ajuda! – Help!
62. Chame a polícia! – Call the police!
63. Estou perdido(a) – I’m lost
64. Preciso de um médico – I need a doctor
65. É uma emergência – It’s an emergency
66. Tenho alergia a… – I’m allergic to…
67. Onde fica o hospital? – Where is the hospital?
68. Perdi minha carteira – I lost my wallet
69. Chamem uma ambulância! – Call an ambulance!
70. Está tudo bem? – Is everything okay?

Practice Common Portuguese Phrases Today

You’ve just powered through 70 basic Portuguese phrases—enough to navigate metros, markets, and midnight snack runs with confidence. Remember, though, language isn’t only vocab; it’s rhythm, culture, and the subtle dance of formality across Lusophone countries. If you’re curious why Brazilians soften “de” into “dji” while Lisbon locals swallow vowels, our breakdown of European and Brazilian Portuguese pronunciation has your back.

But the real magic happens when you practice with humans, not word lists. So fire up Tandem, match with native speakers, and swap stories—maybe you’ll teach them some slang from your hometown in return. Boa sorte e até logo!