Learn Portugese for your trip to Brazil
Why is it practical or even necessary to learn some Portuguese phrases? Brazil is the only country in South America that doesn’t speak Spanish. The main language of the country is Portuguese but there are other languages that are spoken, most of them are indigenous languages. There are some colonies where Dutch, Polish and German are spoken. It depends on where you will go but most Brazilians don’t speak English. There is a better chance with the younger generations but don’t expect a high level of English. That’s why it is very practical for you to learn as I have traveled a lot in Brazil and it’s quite rare to find hotel and pousada employees that speak in English.
Learning some basic phrases will definitely help you when you come and visit. If you have the chance, try to learn more than these sentences. My amazing friend Anna Carolina is offering a course of 20 modules and 40 lessons where you can learn about the language but also about Brazilian culture. With the discount code TRAVELINGONESTEPATATIME you receive a 10% discount.
Learn basic Portuguese now!
Greetings and goodbyes
Oi, tudo bem? Como vai? Tudo bem. Estou bem. Tudo joia. Hi, how are you? How are you? All good. I’m good. Everything is good.
Bom dia. Goodmorning.
Boa tarde. Good afternoon.
Boa noite. Good night.
Tchau. Goodbye
Até! Até mais. Até logo. Later! Until later. See you later.
Introducing yourself and getting to know people
Qual é seu nome? What is your name?
Meu nome é Lydia. My name is Lydia.
De onde você é? Where are you from?
Eu sou americano (a), inglês (a), holandês (a). I am American, English, Dutch. Females add an ‘a’ at the end instead of the ‘o’.
Prazer! Nice to meet you!
Muito prazer! Pleased to meet you!
Você tem família aqui? Do you have family here?
Sim. Não, sou sozinho (a). Yes. No, I’m alone. Females say ‘a’ at the end instead of ‘o’. Você tem um namorado/uma namorada? Do you have a boyfriend/ girlfriend?
Tenho. I have.
Sou solteiro. I am single.
Porque você é aqui, para trabalhar, estudar ou viajar? Why are you here, for work, study or travel?
Estou aqui para viajar. I am here to travel.
Tours and times
Que passeios você tem? What tours do you have?
A que horas começa o passeio? What time does the tour start?
A que horas termina o passeio?What time does the tour end?
Quanto custa o passeio? What does the tour cost?
O que está incluído? What is included?
O que preciso levar no passeio? What do I need to bring for the tour?
Você tem um guia que fala inglês? Do you have an English speaking guide?
Que horas são? What time is it?
São quatro horas. It is four o’clock
Um, dois, três, quatro, cinco, seis, sete, oito, nove, dez. One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten.
Vinte, trinta, quarenta, cinquenta, sessenta, setenta, oitenta, noventa, cem. Twenty, thirty, forty, fifty, sixty, seventy, eighty, ninety, hundred.
Asking for help
Como se diz… em português? How do you say… in Portuguese?
Entendi. I understood
Desculpe, eu não entendi. Sorry, I didn’t understand that.
Poderia repetir, por favor? Could you repeat that, please?
Poderia falar mais devagar, por favor? Could you please speak more slowly?
Desculpe, eu não falo português. Sorry, I don’t speak Portuguese.
Você fala inglês? Do you speak English?
Desculpe, meu português não é bom. Sorry, my Portuguese is not very good.
Eu preciso de ajuda. I need help.
Onde posso tomar um bom café? Where can I get a good coffee?
Desculpe/ com licença, onde é o supermercado/ o banco/ o centro? Sorry/ excuse me, where is the supermarket/ the bank/ the city center?
Direito, esquerda e direita. Straith, left and right.
Continue em frente, vire à esquerda na margem e à direita no semáforo. Continue straight, turn left at the bank and right at the traffic lights.
Eu preciso da polícia/ do médico/ do corpo de bombeiros. I need the police/ a doctor/ the fire department.
Ordering food
Por favor. Please
Obrigado/ obrigada. Thank you. Males say ‘obrigado’ and females say ‘obrigada’.
Eu quero um café, por favor. I want a coffee, please.
Posso comer um pão de queijo, por favor? Can I have cheese bread, please?
Eu quero uma coca. I want a Coca Cola.
Eu quero uma água com gás/ sem gás. I want sparkling/still water.
Sou alérgico a amêndoas, você come sem isso? I am allergic to almonds, do you have something without that?
Você tem opção vegetariana? Do you have a vegetarian option?
Posso receber a conta? Can I get the bill?
Quanto isso custa? How much is it?
Of course there is loads more to learn but these are the basics. As I mentioned before you can always learn more with apps like Babble and Duolingo. You can also use Google translate if you have internet access. Check out Airalo’s eSIMs for when you want to be able to access the internet.
Brazilians love it when you learn Portuguese and they will try to communicate with you even if you don’t understand much. And if you are interested in learning Portuguese from a native speaker I have got you. My friend Anna Carolina is offering a course of 20 modules and 40 lessons where you can learn about the language but also Brazilian culture. It’s $164 but you can get a 10% discount with the code: TRAVELINGONESTEPATATIME. Check out her website and start learning now!
If you’re have any questions or suggestions please let me know in the comments section below.
Is Brazil accessible for wheelchair users?
Museums*
Most bigger museums have ramps and elevators. But smaller museums or museums in smaller cities don’t. So of course you need to check before you go because it will be different museum to museum.
Café’s and restaurants
There are so many places where you can enter but a lot of places don’t have ramps. Bathrooms in smaller places usually are upstairs. You can always go to a shopping mall because they have food courts that are accessible.
Public transport
Bad in most cities. Some busses have a ramp but a lot of them have steps. The busstops are not alway even and you will need help for sure. For a hassle free trip it’s easier to use Uber or taxi.
Toilets
If you go inside malls or other public places you will have a designated toilet for wheelchair users.
*And other attractions
Items I love while traveling
Collapsible sunglasses case
My sunglasses are a great way to accessorize my outfit and I want it to stay without scratches. This case is great for you in your purse or backpack. When you don’t use it, it folds flat which is great.
Sennheiser noise canceling headphones
The sound of traveling can be overwhelming. These Sennheiser noise canceling headphones I have used for more than 4 years and I still love them. 25h of battery, great noise canceling and the sound is wonderful. They pack small and they are not too heavy.
Sun hat for ponytail or bun
On days where I want to look a bit more put together I use this great sun hat, also with a whole for my bun or pony tail. Love it!!!