So, you’ve landed in Portugal, feeling fabulous and ready to take on pastel de nata, beach sunsets and mysterious menus written entirely in Portuguese. You’ve smiled, nodded and said “obrigado” three times already and it’s going great — until someone responds with a full sentence and you stand there blinking like a confused pigeon.
Don’t worry, we’ve all been there. Portuguese can sound like a romantic blend of song and poetry, but to the untrained ear, it also sounds like someone casually swallowing half the alphabet. The good news? You don’t need to be fluent to survive. A few friendly phrases go a long way and might just earn you an extra smile, a better table or a larger scoop of gelado.
So grab your notebook, practise that nasal “ão” sound and let’s dive into ten useful Portuguese phrases every traveller should know (and how to say them without sounding like a malfunctioning GPS).
1. Olá! (oh-LAH)
👋 The classic “hello”. Use it anywhere, anytime, with anyone.
💡 Hack: Say it with a smile and confidence. Works better than Wi-Fi in most cafés.
2. Por favor (pohr fah-VOHR)
🙏 “Please” — your magic word for everything from coffee to kindness.
💡 Hack: It’s polite, it’s easy and it instantly makes you sound like a nice human.
3. Obrigado / Obrigada (oh-bree-GAH-doo / oh-bree-GAH-dah)
😊 “Thank you.” Men say obrigado, women say obrigada. Yes, they notice.
💡 Hack: If in doubt, smile while saying it. Gratitude in any accent still counts.
4. Com licença (kohm lee-SEN-sah)
🚶♂️ “Excuse me” — for when you need to pass, ask a question or gently escape a crowd.
💡 Hack: Use this instead of awkwardly whispering “sorry” in English while doing the sideways shuffle.
5. Desculpe (deh-SKOOL-peh)
😅 “Sorry.” Perfect for bumping into someone, interrupting or being generally polite.
💡 Hack: Use it often. The Portuguese are kind and forgiving, especially if you look apologetic and slightly lost.
6. Quanto custa? (KWAN-too KOOSH-tah)
💶 “How much does it cost?” — your essential market and souvenir question.
💡 Hack: Smile while asking and you might just get the “local price” rather than the “tourist price.”
7. Uma bica, por favor (OO-mah BEE-kah, pohr fah-VOHR)
☕ “An espresso, please.” You’ll need this phrase daily. Possibly hourly.
💡 Hack: In Lisbon, coffee is called bica, but elsewhere you can say um café. Either way, it’s liquid happiness in a cup.
8. Onde fica…? (ON-deh FEE-kah…?)
🗺️ “Where is…?” Fill in the blank with your hotel, beach or next pastel de nata shop.
💡 Hack: Add a casa de banho (the bathroom) when things get urgent.
9. A conta, por favor (ah KON-tah, pohr fah-VOHR)
💳 “The bill, please.” A phrase that magically appears right after your third glass of vinho verde.
💡 Hack: Don’t wait for them to bring it automatically. In Portugal, lingering is an art form.
10. Está tudo bem? (ehs-TAH TOO-doo beng?)
😊 “Is everything okay?” or “All good?” A friendly way to check in with people or start a chat.
💡 Hack: Say it with warmth and you’ll probably get a smile and a story in return.
✨ Final Phrasal Thoughts:
Portuguese might sound intimidating at first, but it’s one of those languages that rewards charm and effort. The locals genuinely appreciate it when you try — even if your pronunciation sounds like you’re ordering soup underwater.
So, go ahead and sprinkle these phrases into your adventures. Order confidently, smile generously and when in doubt, just say obrigado again. You’ll blend right in… or at least sound delightfully enthusiastic trying to.
