Welcome to your Portuguese language guide from Fincou! As you settle into your new life in Portugal, these essential phrases and vocabulary will help you navigate daily interactions with confidence.
Greetings & Basics
English
Portuguese
Pronunciation
Hello
Olá
oh-LA
Good morning
Bom dia
bom DEE-ah
Good afternoon
Boa tarde
BOH-ah TAR-deh
Good evening/night
Boa noite
BOH-ah NOY-teh
Goodbye
Adeus
ah-DEYSH
See you later
Até logo
ah-TEH LO-go
Please
Por favor
por fah-VOR
Thank you
Obrigado (male)/Obrigada (female)
oh-bree-GAH-doo/oh-bree-GAH-dah
You’re welcome
De nada
deh NAH-dah
Excuse me
Com licença
com lee-SEN-sah
Sorry
Desculpe
desh-KOOL-peh
Yes
Sim
seem
No
Não
now
Getting Around
English
Portuguese
Pronunciation
Where is…?
Onde está…?
ON-deh es-TA
How much is it?
Quanto custa?
KWAN-too KOOS-tah
I’d like to go to…
Gostaria de ir para…
gosh-tah-REE-ah deh eer PAH-rah
Train station
Estação de comboio
esh-tah-SOWN deh com-BOY-oh
Bus stop
Paragem de autocarro
PAH-rah-zhem deh ow-too-CAH-roh
Airport
Aeroporto
ah-eh-roh-POR-too
Beach
Praia
PRY-ah
Downtown
Centro da cidade
SEN-troh dah see-DAH-deh
Left
Esquerda
esh-KEHR-dah
Right
Direita
dee-RAY-tah
Straight ahead
Em frente
em FREN-teh
At Restaurants
English
Portuguese
Pronunciation
Menu, please
A ementa, por favor
ah eh-MEN-tah, por fah-VOR
I would like…
Eu gostaria de…
eh-oo gosh-tah-REE-ah deh
Water
Água
AH-gwah
Coffee
Café
kah-FEH
Wine
Vinho
VEE-nyoh
Beer
Cerveja
sir-VAY-zhah
The bill, please
A conta, por favor
ah CON-tah, por fah-VOR
It was delicious
Estava delicioso
esh-TAH-vah deh-lee-see-OH-zoo
Do you have vegetarian options?
Tem opções vegetarianas?
tem op-SOHNZ veh-jeh-tah-ree-AH-nas
Housing & Daily Life
English
Portuguese
Pronunciation
Apartment
Apartamento
ah-par-tah-MEN-too
House
Casa
KAH-zah
Rent
Aluguer
ah-loo-GAIR
Utilities
Serviços
ser-VEE-sohs
Electricity
Eletricidade
eh-leh-tree-see-DAH-deh
Water (service)
Água
AH-gwah
Internet
Internet
in-ter-NET
Supermarket
Supermercado
soo-per-mer-KAH-doo
Pharmacy
Farmácia
far-MAH-see-ah
Hospital
Hospital
osh-pee-TAL
Post office
Correios
koh-RAY-oosh
Bank
Banco
BAHN-koo
Numbers
English
Portuguese
Pronunciation
1
Um/Uma
oom/OO-mah
2
Dois/Duas
doish/DOO-ash
3
Três
tresh
4
Quatro
KWAH-troo
5
Cinco
SEEN-koo
10
Dez
desh
20
Vinte
VIN-teh
50
Cinquenta
sin-KWEN-tah
100
Cem
sem
1000
Mil
meel
Immigration & Bureaucracy
English
Portuguese
Pronunciation
Passport
Passaporte
pah-sah-POR-teh
Residence permit
Autorização de residência
ow-to-ree-zah-SOWN deh reh-zee-DEN-see-ah
Tax number (NIF)
Número de contribuinte
NOO-meh-roo deh con-tree-boo-IN-teh
Social security
Segurança social
seh-goo-RAN-sah so-see-AL
Health insurance
Seguro de saúde
seh-GOO-roo deh sah-OO-deh
Form
Formulário
for-moo-LAR-ee-oh
Application
Candidatura
kan-dee-dah-TOO-rah
Appointment
Marcação
mar-kah-SOWN
Useful Expressions
English
Portuguese
Pronunciation
I don’t understand
Não compreendo
now kom-pree-EN-doo
Do you speak English?
Fala inglês?
FAH-lah een-GLESH
I’m learning Portuguese
Estou a aprender português
esh-TOH ah ah-pren-DER por-too-GESH
Can you help me?
Pode ajudar-me?
POH-deh ah-zhoo-DAR-meh
How are you?
Como está?
KOH-moo esh-TA
I’m fine
Estou bem
esh-TOH bain
Nice to meet you
Prazer em conhecê-lo/la
prah-ZER em koh-nyeh-SEH-loh/lah
My name is…
O meu nome é…
oo meh-oo NO-meh eh
I am from…
Sou de…
so deh
I like it here
Gosto daqui
GOSH-too dah-KEE
Cultural Tips for Portuguese Interaction
Greetings: The Portuguese typically greet with a handshake, though friends often exchange kisses on both cheeks (starting with the right).
Personal Space: Portuguese culture values close personal space during conversations.
Timing: “Portuguese time” can be flexible. It’s common for social gatherings to start 15-30 minutes later than scheduled.
Meal Times: Lunch is typically between 12:30-2:30 PM, while dinner often starts after 8:00 PM.
Tipping: Service is usually included, but rounding up or leaving a small tip (5-10%) for good service is appreciated.
Formality: Use the formal “você” or “o senhor/a senhora” when addressing strangers, especially older people or those in positions of authority.
Language Learning Resources
Online Courses: Duolingo, Babbel, Memrise
Local Schools: Check with your municipality for affordable Portuguese classes
Language Exchange: Join local meetups or Facebook groups for language exchange opportunities
Practice Apps: Tandem, HelloTalk
Fincou Community: Connect with other expats learning Portuguese through our community forums
For more resources on settling into Portugal, visit Fincou.com
Moving to Portugal? We’re here to help you every step of the way.
