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Essential Portuguese Phrases for Solo Travelers

Essential Portuguese Phrases for Solo Travelers
Photo by Nick Karvounis / Unsplash

Portuguese is a vital language for travelers exploring Brazil, Portugal, and parts of Africa. This guide provides essential phrases to help solo travelers navigate transportation, accommodation, dining, and more. Learn key expressions, pronunciation, and cultural insights to make your trip unforgettable.

Basics: Greetings and Pleasantries

  • Hello: Olá (oh-LAH)
  • Goodbye: Tchau (chow) / Adeus (ah-DEH-oos)
  • Please: Por favor (pohr fah-VOHR)
  • Thank you: Obrigado/a (oh-bree-GAH-doo / oh-bree-GAH-dah)
  • You're welcome: De nada (deh NAH-dah)
  • Excuse me: Com licença (kohm lee-SEHN-sah)
  • Yes / No: Sim / Não (seen / nowng)

Transportation: Directions, Taxis, Buses, etc.

  • Where is the bus station?: Onde fica a rodoviária? (OHN-deh FEE-kah ah hoh-doh-vee-AH-ree-ah?)
  • How much is a taxi to [location]?: Quanto custa um táxi para [destination]? (KWAN-too KOOS-tah oong TAH-ksee PAH-rah [destination]?)
  • I want to go to the airport: Eu quero ir ao aeroporto (eh-ooh KEH-roo eer ow ah-eh-roh-POHR-too).
  • What time does the train leave?: A que horas sai o trem? (ah keh OH-ras sigh oo trayng?)
  • Is this the right bus to [location]?: Este é o ônibus para [location]? (ES-chee eh ooh OH-nee-boos PAH-rah [location]?)

Accommodation: Hotel Check-in/Check-out, Room Service

  • I have a reservation: Eu tenho uma reserva (eh-ooh TAY-nyoo OO-mah heh-ZAIR-vah).
  • Do you have a room available?: Você tem um quarto disponível? (voh-SEH tay oong KWAHR-too jees-poh-nee-VELL?)
  • What is the Wi-Fi password?: Qual é a senha do Wi-Fi? (kwahl eh ah SEHN-yah doo WEE-FEE?)
  • I need extra towels: Preciso de toalhas extras (preh-SEE-zoo deh toh-AHL-yas EHS-trahs).
  • Can I check out late?: Posso fazer o check-out mais tarde? (POH-soo fah-ZAIR ooh chek-owt myz TAHR-dee?)

Dining: Ordering Food, Allergies, Compliments

  • Can I see the menu, please?: Posso ver o cardápio, por favor? (POH-soo veh ooh kar-DAH-pee-oh, pohr fah-VOHR?)
  • I am allergic to [item]: Sou alérgico/a a [item] (soh ah-LEHR-zhee-koh/kah ah [item]).
  • Can I have [dish] without [ingredient]?: Posso pedir [dish] sem [ingredient]? (POH-soo peh-DEER [dish] sehng [ingredient]?)
  • The food is delicious: A comida está deliciosa (ah koh-MEE-dah eh-STAH deh-lee-SEE-oh-zah).
  • Can I have the bill, please?: A conta, por favor (ah KON-tah, pohr fah-VOHR).

Emergencies: Medical Help, Lost Belongings

  • Help!: Socorro! (soh-KOH-hoo!)
  • I need a doctor: Eu preciso de um médico (eh-ooh preh-SEE-zoo deh oong MEH-jee-coo).
  • Call the police: Chame a polícia (SHAH-mee ah poh-LEE-syah).
  • I’ve lost my passport: Perdi meu passaporte (pehr-DEE meh-ooh pah-sah-POHR-chee).
  • Where is the nearest hospital?: Onde fica o hospital mais próximo? (OHN-deh FEE-kah ooh oh-spee-TAHL myz PROH-see-moh?)

Shopping: Prices, Bargaining

  • How much does this cost?: Quanto custa? (KWAN-too KOOS-tah?)
  • Can you lower the price?: Pode fazer um desconto? (POH-jee fah-ZAIR oong dehs-KOHN-too?)
  • Do you accept credit cards?: Aceita cartão de crédito? (ah-SAY-tah kar-TOWN jeh KREH-jee-too?)
  • I’m just looking: Estou só olhando (eh-STOH soh oh-LYAHN-doo).
  • Where can I buy [item]?: Onde posso comprar [item]? (OHN-deh POH-soo kohm-PRAHR [item]?)

Social Interactions: Small Talk, Making Friends

  • What is your name?: Qual é o seu nome? (kwahl eh ooh SEH-ooh NOH-mee?)
  • My name is [Name]: Meu nome é [Name] (meh-ooh NOH-mee eh [Name]).
  • Where are you from?: De onde você é? (deh OHN-jee voh-SEH eh?)
  • I’m from [country]: Sou de [country] (soh jee [country]).
  • Nice to meet you: Prazer (prah-ZAIR).

Extra: Technology and Internet

  • Do you have Wi-Fi?: Vocês têm Wi-Fi? (voh-SEHS tayng WEE-FEE?)
  • What’s the Wi-Fi password?: Qual é a senha do Wi-Fi? (kwahl eh ah SEHN-yah doo WEE-FEE?)
  • Can I charge my phone here?: Posso carregar meu celular aqui? (POH-soo kah-hey-GAR meh-ooh seh-loo-LAHR ah-KEE?)

Extra: Local Customs

  • How do I say [word] in Portuguese?: Como se diz [word] em português? (KOH-moo seh jeez [word] eng poh-too-GAYS?)
  • Can you write that down?: Pode escrever isso? (POH-jee es-kreh-VEHR EE-soo?)
  • I don’t understand: Não entendo (nowng ehn-TEN-doo).
  • Can you speak more slowly?: Pode falar mais devagar? (POH-jee fah-LAHR myz deh-vah-GAR?)