Portuguese for travelers: Essential phrases and situations

Traveling to Portugal and other Portuguese speaking countries is an adventure when you don’t speak any Portuguese . Basic Portuguese phrases can help you open doors to a deeper cultural immersion, and having more meaningful interactions with locals. In this guide, I’ll share with you essential Portuguese phrases, cultural insights, and resources to help you have a better travel experience. I’ll also recommend my favorite Portuguese phrase books if you want to carry one with you. 

I used AI to help write the phonetics part of my suggestions below. But there are plenty of apps to help you with pronunciation.  See my suggestions below. 

Portuguese for travelers – Situational vocabulary

Portuguese in restaurants

Greetings: Start your dining experience with a warm greeting: “Bom dia/Boa tarde/Boa noite” (/bohm dee-ah/ /boh-ah tahr-deh/ /boh-ah noy-tche/) (Good morning/afternoon/evening).

Requesting a table: Politely request a table for your party: “Uma mesa para duas pessoas, por favor” (/oo-mah meh-sah pah-rah doo-as peh-so-ahs, poor fah-vohr/) (A table for two, please).

Seeking recommendations: Ask for recommendations from the menu: “O que você recomenda?” (/oo keh voh-seh reh-koh-mehn-dah/) (What do you recommend?).

Placing your order: Express your order politely: “Eu gostaria de pedir…” (/eh-oo gohs-tahr-ee-ah deh peh-deer/) (I would like to order…). You can shorten this one and just say “Eu gostaria de…” (/eh-oo gohs-tahr-ee-ah deh/)

Requesting the bill: Wrap up your meal by asking for the check: “A conta, por favor” (/ah koh-ntah, poor fah-vohr/) (The check, please).

Portuguese in transportation

Navigating train stations: Inquire about train stations with: “Onde fica a estação de trem?” (/ohn-deh fee-kah ah eh-stah-sah-ow deh trehng/) (Where is the train station?).

Asking about departures: Learn about the next train departure with: “Qual é o próximo comboio para Lisboa?” (/kwahl eh oh proh-see-moh kohm-boh-yoo pah-rah leesh-boh-ah/)(What is the next train to Lisbon?). In Brazil we use the word trem (/trehng/) instead of comboio. – **Purchasing tickets:** Purchase your tickets with: “Eu gostaria de um bilhete para…” (/eh-oo gohs-tahr-ee-ah deh oong bee-lyeh-tche pah-rah/) (I would like a ticket to…). And, we seldom use ‘bilhete’. Most people use the word ‘passagem’/pah-sah-zheng dee trehng/

Locating bus stops: Find bus stops by asking: “Onde fica o ponto de autocarro?” is /ohn-deh fee-kah oo pohn-too deh ow-toh-kah-roo/. (Where is the bus stop?). In Brasil:  “Onde fica o ponto de ônibus?” is /ohn-deh fee-kah oo pohn-too deh oh-nee-boos/.

Confirming routes: Ensure you’re on the right bus with: “Qual é o ônibus para o centro da cidade?” (/kwahl eh oh oh-nee-boos pah-rah oo sehn-troo dah see-dah-deh/) (Which bus goes to the city center?).

Portuguese for directions

Seeking assistance: Humbly ask for help if you’re lost: “Desculpe, estou perdido(a). Pode me ajudar?” (/deh-skool-peh, eh-stoh pehr-dee-doo/ poh-deh meh ah-zhoo-dahr/) (Excuse me, I’m lost. Can you help me?).

Navigating landmarks: Learn how to reach landmarks with: “Como chego à Praça do Comércio?” (/koh-moo sheh-goo ah prah-sah doh koh-mehr-see-oo/) (How do I get to Praça do Comércio?).

Assessing distance: Ask about the distance with: “É longe daqui?” (/eh lohn-geh dah-kee/) (Is it far from here?).

Requesting map assistance: Get help with directions on a map: “Pode me mostrar no mapa?” (/poh-deh meh moh-strahr noo mah-pah/) (Can you show me on the map?).

Grateful acknowledgment: Thank the person for their help: “Obrigado(a) pela ajuda!” (/oh-bree-gah-doo/ (f) /oh-bree-gah-dah/ (m) peh-lah ah-zhoo-dah/) (Thank you for your help!).

Portuguese for emergencies

Calling for help: In case of emergency, call out: “Socorro!” (/soh-koh-roh/) (Help!).

Seeking medical aid: Request medical assistance with: “Eu preciso de um médico.” (/eh-oo preh-seh-soh deh oong meh-dee-koo/) (I need a doctor.).

Urgently requiring an ambulance: If urgent, ask for an ambulance: “Eu preciso de uma ambulância.” (/eh-oo preh-seh-soh deh oong-ah ahm-boo-lahn-syah/) (I need an ambulance.).

Reporting incidents: Report incidents with: “Eu fui assaltado(a).” (/eh-oo foo-ee ah-sahl-tah-doo/dah/) (I was robbed.).

Notifying about lost documents: Notify about lost documents: “Eu perdi meu passaporte.” (/eh-oo pehr-dee meh-oo pah-sah-pohr-chee/) (I lost my passport.).

Cultural Nuances

Expressing politeness in Portuguese

Customary greetings: Greet with a handshake or a kiss on both cheeks.

Formal and informal language: Use “você” for informal situations and “o senhor/a senhora” for formal ones.

Gratitude: Always say “por favor” (please) and “obrigado(a)” (thank you).

Forms of address

Embracing familiarity: Use diminutive forms when addressing someone by their first name.

Respecting identity: Avoid addressing someone by their last name only.

Breaking the Ice

Small talk Portuguese phrases

Establishing rapport: Start conversations with: “Como vai você?” (/koh-moo vah-ee voh-seh/) (How are you?).

Exchanging pleasantries: Respond with: “Tudo bem, obrigado(a).” (/too-doo beeng, oh-bree-gah-doo/dah/) (I’m fine, thank you.).

Discovering backgrounds: Ask: “De onde você é?” (/deh ohn-deh voh-seh eh/) (Where are you from?).

Exploring interests: Inquire: “O que você faz?” (/oo keh voh-seh fahz/) (What do you do?).

Sharing experiences: Mention: “Estou de férias.” (/eh-stoh gee fer-ee-ahs/) (I’m on vacation.).

Showing interests

Engaging in conversation: Ask questions about family, work, or hobbies.

Building connections: Share something about yourself and find common interests.

Appreciating language skills: Compliment the person on their Portuguese.

Resources to help you with learning the Portuguese language:

Useful apps

– Duolingo

– Memrise

– Babbel

Pronunciation guides

– Forvo

– Pronunciation Guide to Portuguese

Language websites

– PortuguesePod101

– Practice Portuguese

– Portuguese Lab

Learning just a little bit more Portuguese phrases opens up a world of communication during your trip.  Even if you suck, locals will appreciate your effort in trying to speak Portuguese and they’ll help you out or get someone else to help you get your message across, order your meals or arrive at your destination which all contribute to an unforgettable experience and stories to tell when you get home. Embrace learning Portuguese! Boa viagem! And I hope to see you on cobblestone street using your newly learned vocabulary!