How Do You Say In Brazil

How Do You Say...? A Guide to Brazilian Portuguese for Beginners

Brazilian Portuguese, or português brasileiro, is a vibrant and melodic language spoken by over 200 million people in Brazil and around the globe. As a Romance language, it shares similarities with Portuguese spoken in Portugal, but it has evolved distinctly, influenced by indigenous languages, African languages, and other European languages. Learning a few basic phrases can significantly enhance your travel experience, help you connect with locals, and provide a deeper appreciation for Brazilian culture. This guide will equip you with essential phrases and vocabulary to navigate everyday situations in Brazil.

Introduction to Brazilian Portuguese

Before diving into specific phrases, it's essential to understand some fundamental aspects of Brazilian Portuguese pronunciation and grammar.

• Pronunciation: Brazilian Portuguese pronunciation differs considerably from European Portuguese. It often features more open vowels and nasal sounds. For example, the letter "r" at the end of a word is usually silent or pronounced as an "h" sound.
• Greetings: The most common greetings include "Olá" (Hello), "Bom dia" (Good morning), "Boa tarde" (Good afternoon), and "Boa noite" (Good evening/Good night).
• Politeness: Using polite language is highly valued in Brazil. Saying "Por favor" (Please) and "Obrigado/Obrigada" (Thank you) are essential. Men say "Obrigado," while women say "Obrigada." "De nada" (You're welcome) is the standard response.
• Formal vs. Informal: Brazilian Portuguese distinguishes between formal and informal ways of addressing people. "Você" is the standard pronoun for "you," while "o senhor/a senhora" are formal pronouns used to address older people or those in positions of authority.

Essential Greetings and Introductions

Knowing how to greet people is the first step in any language. Here are some essential greetings and introductory phrases in Brazilian Portuguese:

• Olá: Hello
• Oi: Hi (very informal)
• Bom dia: Good morning
• Boa tarde: Good afternoon
• Boa noite: Good evening/Good night
• Tudo bem?: How are you? (literally: "All good?")
• Tudo bom?: How are you? (more informal than "Tudo bem?")
• Como vai?: How are you? (more formal than "Tudo bem?")
• Eu estou bem, obrigado/obrigada: I'm fine, thank you.
• E você?: And you?
• Qual é o seu nome?: What is your name?
• Meu nome é...: My name is...
• Prazer em conhecê-lo/conhecê-la: Nice to meet you. (masculine/feminine)
• Muito prazer: Pleasure to meet you.
• De onde você é?: Where are you from?
• Eu sou de...: I am from...
• Seja bem-vindo/bem-vinda: Welcome. (masculine/feminine)

Basic Phrases for Everyday Situations

These phrases will help you navigate common situations you might encounter while in Brazil.

• Sim: Yes
• Não: No
• Por favor: Please
• Obrigado/Obrigada: Thank you (masculine/feminine)
• De nada: You're welcome
• Com licença: Excuse me
• Desculpe: Sorry
• Não falo português: I don't speak Portuguese
• Você fala inglês?: Do you speak English?
• Alguém fala inglês?: Does anyone speak English?
• Pode me ajudar?: Can you help me?
• Eu preciso de ajuda: I need help.
• Onde fica...?: Where is...?
• Quanto custa?: How much does it cost?
• Eu quero...: I want...
• Eu gostaria de...: I would like...
• Eu não quero...: I don't want...
• Eu não entendo: I don't understand.
• Pode repetir, por favor?: Can you repeat, please?
• Mais devagar, por favor: Slower, please.
• O que significa isso?: What does that mean?
• Como se diz...em português?: How do you say...in Portuguese?
• Eu estou perdido/perdida: I am lost. (masculine/feminine)
• Está tudo bem: Everything is fine.
• Não tem problema: No problem.

Phrases for Transportation

Getting around in Brazil requires knowing how to ask for directions or understand transportation options.

• Onde é a estação de ônibus/trem?: Where is the bus/train station?
• Eu preciso ir para...: I need to go to...
• Qual ônibus/trem vai para...?: Which bus/train goes to...?
• Uma passagem para..., por favor: One ticket to..., please.
• Quanto é a passagem?: How much is the ticket?
• Esta é a parada para...?: Is this the stop for...?
• Pode me avisar quando chegarmos em...?: Can you tell me when we arrive in...?
• Taxi!: Taxi!
• Leve-me para..., por favor: Take me to..., please.
• Quanto fica para ir até...?: How much to go to...?
• Você aceita cartão de crédito?: Do you accept credit cards?
• Pode me deixar aqui, por favor: Can you drop me off here, please?
• Eu quero alugar um carro: I want to rent a car.
• Onde posso encontrar um táxi?: Where can I find a taxi?
• O trânsito está ruim: The traffic is bad.
• Está longe daqui?: Is it far from here?
• Vire à direita: Turn right.
• Vire à esquerda: Turn left.
• Siga em frente: Go straight ahead.
• Na próxima esquina: At the next corner.

Phrases for Dining

Brazilian cuisine is diverse and delicious. These phrases will help you order food and interact with restaurant staff.

• Uma mesa para um/dois/três, por favor: A table for one/two/three, please.
• O cardápio, por favor: The menu, please.
• O que você recomenda?: What do you recommend?
• Eu gostaria de pedir...: I would like to order...
• Eu vou querer...: I will have...
• Para mim, ...: For me, ...
• O que é isso?: What is this?
• Você tem opções vegetarianas/veganas?: Do you have vegetarian/vegan options?
• Eu sou alérgico/alérgica a...: I am allergic to... (masculine/feminine)
• Sem pimenta, por favor: Without chili, please.
• A conta, por favor: The bill, please.
• Aceita cartão?: Do you accept cards?
• Posso pagar com cartão?: Can I pay with a card?
• Está delicioso/deliciosa: It's delicious. (masculine/feminine - use to describe food)
• Muito bom!: Very good!
• Eu estou satisfeito/satisfeita: I am satisfied. (masculine/feminine)
• Garçom/Garçonete!: Waiter/Waitress!
• Água, por favor: Water, please.
• Cerveja, por favor: Beer, please.
• Vinho, por favor: Wine, please.
• Suco de laranja, por favor: Orange juice, please.
• Café, por favor: Coffee, please.

Phrases for Shopping

Whether you're buying souvenirs or groceries, these phrases will be useful for shopping in Brazil.

• Quanto custa?: How much does it cost?
• É muito caro: It's too expensive.
• Você tem um desconto?: Do you have a discount?
• Posso experimentar?: Can I try it on?
• Onde posso encontrar...?: Where can I find...?
• Você tem...? Do you have...?
• Eu estou só olhando, obrigado/obrigada: I'm just looking, thank you. (masculine/feminine)
• Eu quero comprar...: I want to buy...
• Você aceita dólares?: Do you accept dollars?
• Pode embrulhar para presente, por favor?: Can you wrap it as a gift, please?
• Eu preciso de uma sacola, por favor: I need a bag, please.
• Onde fica o caixa?: Where is the cashier?
• Você tem troco?: Do you have change?
• Nota fiscal, por favor: Receipt, please.
• Está em promoção: It is on sale.
• Feito à mão: Handmade.
• Artesanato local: Local crafts.
• Lembrancinha: Souvenir.

Phrases for Accommodation

If you're staying in a hotel or pousada (guesthouse), these phrases will help you communicate with the staff.

• Eu tenho uma reserva: I have a reservation.
• Meu nome é...: My name is...
• Qual é o número do meu quarto?: What is my room number?
• A que horas é o café da manhã?: What time is breakfast?
• Onde fica a piscina/academia?: Where is the pool/gym?
• Pode me trazer mais toalhas?: Can you bring me more towels?
• O ar condicionado não está funcionando: The air conditioning is not working.
• A televisão não está funcionando: The television is not working.
• Pode me ajudar com a minha bagagem?: Can you help me with my luggage?
• Eu gostaria de fazer o check-out: I would like to check out.
• Pode chamar um táxi, por favor?: Can you call a taxi, please?
• A chave do quarto, por favor: The room key, please.
• Quarto individual/duplo: Single/double room.
• Com vista para o mar: With a sea view.
• Wi-fi gratuito: Free Wi-Fi.

Emergency Phrases

Hopefully, you won't need these, but it's always good to be prepared.

• Socorro!: Help!
• Emergência!: Emergency!
• Fogo!: Fire!
• Polícia!: Police!
• Eu preciso de um médico: I need a doctor.
• Eu preciso de um hospital: I need a hospital.
• Onde fica o hospital mais próximo?: Where is the nearest hospital?
• Eu me machuquei: I am injured.
• Eu estou doente: I am sick.
• Eu preciso da minha embaixada/consulado: I need my embassy/consulate.
• Perdi meu passaporte: I lost my passport.
• Fui roubado/roubada: I have been robbed. (masculine/feminine)
• Deixe-me em paz!: Leave me alone!
• Cuidado!: Be careful!
• Estou perdido/perdida: I am lost. (masculine/feminine)

Common Brazilian Slang

Incorporating slang into your vocabulary can help you connect with locals on a more personal level. However, be mindful of the context and audience when using slang.

• Legal: Cool, awesome.
• Beleza: Alright, okay, cool. Can also be used as a greeting similar to "Tudo bem?"
• Falou: See you, bye (very informal).
• Valeu: Thanks (informal).
• Massa: Cool, great (especially common in certain regions).
• Show: Great, excellent.
• Cara/Mano: Dude, guy (informal).
• Gata/Gato: Attractive girl/guy (use with caution).
• Rolê: Outing, hang out (informal).
• Bolado: Upset, annoyed.
• Zoeira: Joke, prank.
• De boa: Relaxed, no worries.
• Dar um jeito: To find a way, to fix something.
• Bater um papo: To have a chat.
• Fazer um favor: To do a favor.

Tips for Learning and Practicing

• Use Language Learning Apps: Apps like Duolingo, Babbel, and Memrise offer Brazilian Portuguese courses.
• Watch Brazilian Movies and TV Shows: This can help you improve your listening comprehension and learn about Brazilian culture.
• Listen to Brazilian Music: Music is a great way to immerse yourself in the language and learn new vocabulary.
• Find a Language Partner: Exchange language lessons with a native speaker.
• Take a Portuguese Class: Consider enrolling in a formal Portuguese class, either online or in person.
• Don't Be Afraid to Make Mistakes: Everyone makes mistakes when learning a new language. The key is to learn from them and keep practicing.
• Immerse Yourself in the Culture: If possible, spend time in Brazil to fully immerse yourself in the language and culture.
• Focus on Practical Phrases: Prioritize learning phrases that you will actually use in everyday situations.
• Practice Regularly: Consistent practice is essential for language learning. Even a few minutes of practice each day can make a big difference.
• Be Patient: Learning a new language takes time and effort. Don't get discouraged if you don't see results immediately. Celebrate your progress along the way.

Conclusion

Learning even a few basic phrases in Brazilian Portuguese can significantly enhance your experience in Brazil. It shows respect for the local culture and opens doors to more meaningful interactions with Brazilians. While this guide provides a starting point, remember that language learning is a journey. Keep practicing, be patient, and don't be afraid to make mistakes. Boa sorte (Good luck) with your Portuguese studies, and enjoy your adventures in Brazil! Mastering how to say essential phrases is just the beginning; embracing the culture and connecting with the people will undoubtedly enrich your journey.