Common Portuguese Phrases for Gringos Visiting Brazil
Greetings & Politeness (VERY important in Brazil)
Brazilians are warm and polite — greetings matter!
  • Olá — Hello
    oh-LAH
  • Oi — Hi
    oy
  • Bom dia — Good morning
    bohn JEE-ah
  • Boa tarde — Good afternoon
    BOH-ah TAR-jee
  • Boa noite — Good evening / Good night
    BOH-ah NOY-chee Used both when arriving at night and when saying goodnight
  • Tudo bem? — How are you? / All good?
    TOO-doo beng?
  • Tudo! — All good! (casual response)
    TOO-doo
  • Por favor — Please
    por fah-VOR
  • Obrigado (men) / Obrigada (women) — Thank you
    oh-bree-GAH-doo / oh-bree-GAH-dah
  • De nada — You’re welcome
    jee NAH-dah
  • Desculpa — Sorry
    dess-KOOL-pah
     
    Money & Ordering (VERY useful)
  • Débito — Debit
    DEH-bee-too
  • Crédito — Credit
    KREH-jee-too
    When paying, always say “débito” or “crédito” — don’t assume!
  • Dinheiro — Cash
    jee-NYAY-ro
  • Quanto custa? — How much does it cost?
    KWAN-too KOOS-tah

Restaurants & Bars
Brazilian food culture is serious business.
  • A conta, por favor — The check, please
    ah KON-tah por fah-VOR
  • Água — Water
    AH-gwah
  • Sem gelo — No ice
    seng ZHEH-loo
  • Uma cerveja, por favor — One beer, please
    OO-mah sair-VEH-jah por fah-VOR
  • Está delicioso! — It’s delicious!
    ees-TAH day-lee-SYOH-zoo