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If you are thinking of traveling to Brazil, you should be aware that the official language is Brazilian Portuguese.
Brazilian Portuguese is basically Portuguese that is spoken by those who were born or live in Brazil. It is actually the most common variant of Portuguese, after European Portuguese.
While European Portuguese and Brazilian Portuguese are similar, there are some phrases, expressions, and words that native Brazilian Portuguese speakers will use more often than those who speak European Portuguese. There are also slight differences in pronunciation.
Because of these slight differences, if you are planning to travel to Brazil for either work or pleasure, you should make sure you learn some basic Brazilian Portuguese phrases such as the ones we are going to list below.
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Bonus: Get a free PDF file with 57 Portuguese Greetings |
11 Brazilian Portuguese Phrases Of Greeting You Should Know
Of course, one of the first Brazilian Portuguese phrases that you need to know would be how to say “hello” and “goodbye”. Here are a few of the more common greetings used by Brazilian Portuguese speakers.
1. Oi!
Translation: Hi
Usage notes: It is pronounced “oee”
This is the most common way to say “hello” in Brazil. While “olá”, the Portuguese word for “hello” is understood by Brazilian Portuguese speakers, they are more likely to say “oi” as an initial greeting.
2. Bom dia!
Meaning: Good day/morning!
Usage notes: It is pronounced “bom GEE-a”
This is a Brazilian Portuguese phrase that is used to greet someone during the day. Basically, you will hear Brazilian Portuguese speakers use this from around sunrise till about noon or after lunch.
3. Boa tarde!
Meaning: Good afternoon!
Usage notes: It is pronounced “boa TAHR-g”
This is another Brazilian Portuguese phrase that is used to greet people. Basically, after around 1 PM, you can start using this greeting.
4. Boa noite!
Meaning: Good evening!
Usage notes: It is pronounced “boa NOOE-tsh”
There are two understood meanings for this Brazilian Portuguese phrase. First it is used to say phrase “hello, good evening”, so you use it when you want to greet someone after the sun has set.
Secondly, it is used as a way to say “goodbye” if it is night time.
5. Adeus
Meaning: Goodbye
Usage notes: It is pronounced “adeOOSH”
This is the most basic Portuguese word for “goodbye”.
6. Tchau
Meaning: Bye
Usage notes: It is pronounced “TSHAH-oo”
This is a more common way to say goodbye in Portuguese.
7. Até logo
Meaning: See you later
Usage notes: It is pronounced “a-the LOH-goo”
This one of the Brazilian Portuguese phrases that are used to take your leave from a group of friends. You use this if you are leaving the company of a group of people that you know you are going to see later in the day. Its literal meaning is “until later”.
8. Até amanhã
Meaning: See you tomorrow
Usage notes: It is pronounced “a-the a-MA-nya”
The literal translation of this phrase is “until tomorrow”. So you use this if you are leaving a group of people that you know you are going to be seeing the next day.
9. Tudo bem?
Meaning: How are you?
Usage notes: It is pronounced “toodoo BAYM”
You can use this phrase to ask “how are you?”. It is appropriate in both formal and informal situations.
10. Como está? / Como vai?
Meaning: How do you do?
Usage notes: The pronunciation is “komoo eeSHTAH/komoo VIGH”
These Brazilian Portuguese phrases are used to inquire about someone’s health or status. It is considered the formal version of “tudo bem”.
11. Como você está? / Como vai você?
Meaning: How are you/How are you doing?
Usage notes: It is pronounced “komoo VOH-she eesh-TAH/ komoo vigh VOH-she”
These two Brazilian Portuguese phrases are informal greetings.
Brazilian Portuguese Slang Phrases You Can Use As Greetings
Brazilian Portuguese speakers have their own slang words and expressions that might not be as commonly used by European Portuguese speakers. It would be smart to ask your Brazilian Portuguese speaking online tutor to help you familiarize yourself with slang phrases such as these.
1. E ai?
Meaning: What’s up?
Usage notes: It is pronounced “ee-eye-ee”
Brazilian Portuguese speakers, especially the younger ones, will use this informal phrase of greeting amongst themselves.
2. Tudo jóia?
Meaning: All good?
The literal translation of this phrase is “all jewelry”, but Brazilian Portuguese speakers use it as a slang term to greet someone. It’s basically the equivalent to the English slang, “all good?”.
44 Other Brazilian Portuguese Phrases You Should Know
Here are a few other Brazilian Portuguese phrases to understand and memorize. They will help you build up your inner library of words to better allow you to hold conversations with native speakers.
1. Por favor
Meaning: Please
Usage notes: It is pronounced “poorh pha-VOHR”.
2. Origado/a
Meaning: Thank you.
Usage Notes: If speaking to a male person, it is “origado”. If speaking to a female, it is “origada”. It is pronounced either “oobree-GA-doo” or “oobree-GA-dah”.
3. Como licenca
Meaning: Excuse me
Usage notes: It is pronounced” co-lee-SEN-sah”
4. Perdão
Meaning: Pardon me
5. Desculpa
Meaning: I’m sorry.
Usage notes: Pronounced as “des-COOL-peh More formal alternative is “desculpe”.
6. De nada
Meaning: You’re welcome
Usage notes: It is pronounced “djee NAG-da”.
7. Meu nome é
Meaning: My name is
Usage notes: It is pronounced “meyoo nomay ey”
8. Eu sou
Meaning: I am
9. Como é seu nome?
Meaning: What is your name?
Usage notes: It is pronounced “kwal ey oo tey-oo nome”.
10. É um prazer conhecê-lo.
Meaning: I am pleased to meet you.
11. Falaram-me muito de voc.
Meaning: I have heard so much about you.
12. Foi um prazer conhecê-lo.
Meaning: It was nice meeting you.
13. Tá bom?/ Tá bom.
Meaning: Do you agree?/Agree
The meaning of this phrase will depend on how it is used. It can be used as a question or an answer.
If you hear “Tá bom?”, it means that you are being asked if you agree. If, however, what is used is “Tá bom.” or “Tá.” it expresses agreement so it is the equivalent of saying “okay” or “all right” in English.
14. Fala inglês?
Meaning: Do you speak English?
Usage guide: It is pronounced “FAH-la een-GLAYSH”.
15. Há alguém aqui que fala inglês?
Meaning: Does anyone here speak English?
16. Você fala inglês?
Meaning: Do you speak English?
17. Onde posso encontrar alguém que fale inglês?
Meaning: Where can I find someone who speaks English?
18. Compreende?
Meaning: Do you understand?
19. Não entendo.
Meaning: I don't understand
Usage notes: It is pronounced “naoo en-TEN-doo
20. Compreendo perfeitamente.
Meaning: I understand perfectly.
21. Compreendo-o se falar devagar.
Meaning: I understand if you speak slowly.
22. Pode repitir?
Meaning: Could you repeat it?
Usage notes: It is pronounced “pod ray-peh-TEER”.
23. Por favor repete, mais devagar
Meaning: Please repeat more slowly
24. Só falo um pouco de português.
Meaning: I only speak a little Portuguese.
25. Desculpe-me por falar tão mal o português.
Meaning: Excuse my poor Portuguese.
26. Que disse?
Meaning: What did you say?
27. Pode me ajudar?
Meaning: Can you help me?
28. O que aconteceu?
Meaning: What is happening?
29. O que é isto?
Meaning: What is that?
30. Quero a conta, por favor
Meaning: I want the bill please.
Usage notes: “Queria a conta, por favor” is the more formal version.
31. Onde é a o banheiro?
Meaning: Where is the bathroom?
Usage notes: It is pronounced “onjay ey oo ban-eyroo”
32. É longe?
Meaning: Is it far?
33. É perto?
Meaning: Is it near?
34. Estou cansado
Meaning: I’m tired
35. Estou doente
Meaning: I’m sick
36. Estou com fome
Meaning: I’m hungry
37. Eatou com sêde
Meaning: I’m thirsty
38. Aceita cartão?
Meaning: Do you take credit card?
39. Pois não?
Meaning: Can I help you?
Usage notes: It is pronounced “poh-eez nah-ooh”
40. Fala sério!
Meaning: You’re joking,
Usage notes: It is pronounced “fah-lah she-dee-oh”
41. Lindo maravilhos!
Meaning: Marvelous.
Usage notes: It is pronounced “leen-doh mah-dah-veel-yoh-zoo”
42. É mesmo?
Meaning: Really?
Usage notes: It is pronounced “eh mehz-moh”
43. Eu preciso de
Meaning: I need
44. Qanto é?
Meaning: How much?
Usage notes: It is pronounced “kwantoo ey”
Conclusion
When it comes to rules of grammar and even vocabulary, Brazilian Portuguese and European Portuguese are actually quite similar. Most of the common words and phrases are alike and memorizing them will help you develop the ability to hold daily conversations with Brazilian Portuguese speakers.
To help you develop fluency, we have a downloadable PDF file of these basic Brazilian Portuguese phrases. You can download the file and study it at your leisure.
It is also highly recommended that you start taking online language lessons with a native Brazilian Portuguese speaking tutor.
Working with a native language tutor will help you pick up the language faster as they will ensure that you are immersed in the language and get some practice holding daily conversations in Brazilian Portuguese.
You can also go over the list of Brazilian Portuguese phrases that we provided here with your tutor. They will help explain how and when to use these phrases and provide you with helpful tips on how to pronounce the words and improve your accent.
