🇵🇹
Greetings & Introductions in Portuguese
Learn to greet and introduce yourself in European Portuguese. These 25 essential phrases are perfect for formal and informal situations — with native audio.
Practice in the LingoSwipe App →Each phrase includes native audio, an English translation, and cultural notes where relevant. Tap any play button to listen.
👋 Saudações Básicas — Basic Greetings
1.
Olá!
Hello!
Works any time of day in both formal and informal situations.
explanation:
2.
Bom dia!
Good morning!
Used from morning until around noon. Very standard and polite.
explanation:
3.
Boa tarde!
Good afternoon!
'Boa' (fem.) + 'tarde' (fem.). Same pattern: 'boa noite', 'boa viagem'.
explanation:
4.
Boa noite.
Good night.
Used both as an evening greeting AND a farewell before bed.
explanation:
5.
Como está?
How are you? (formal)
Formal. Casual: 'Tudo bem?' or 'Como vai?' Common reply: 'Bem, obrigado — e você?'
explanation:
🙋 Apresentações — Introductions
6.
O meu nome é João.
My name is João.
European Portuguese: 'O meu nome é...' Brazilian Portuguese: 'Meu nome é...'
explanation:
7.
Como se chama?
What is your name?
Formal. Casual: 'Como te chamas?' (European) or 'Qual é o seu nome?' (Brazilian).
explanation:
8.
Prazer em conhecê-lo.
Nice to meet you.
Often shortened to 'Prazer!' A handshake is standard for first meetings in Portugal.
explanation:
9.
Sou de Portugal.
I'm from Portugal.
European and Brazilian Portuguese sound very different — like comparing British and American English.
explanation:
10.
Falo um pouco de português.
I speak a little Portuguese.
Portuguese speakers appreciate any effort to speak their language.
explanation:
👋 Despedidas — Farewells
11.
Adeus!
Goodbye!
Used for final or long goodbyes. For everyday: 'Até logo!'
explanation:
12.
Até logo!
See you later!
The most common everyday farewell in Portugal.
explanation:
13.
Até amanhã!
See you tomorrow!
'Até' is versatile: 'até já', 'até logo', 'até amanhã', 'até segunda' (until Monday).
explanation:
14.
Tenha um bom dia!
Have a good day!
Formal. Casual: 'Bom dia!' as a farewell wish works too.
explanation:
15.
Cuide-se!
Take care!
explanation:
🤝 Frases de Cortesia — Courtesy Phrases
16.
Por favor.
Please.
Usually placed at the end of a request in Portuguese.
explanation:
17.
Obrigado!
Thank you! (said by a man)
The speaker's gender determines the ending: men say 'obrigado', women say 'obrigada'.
explanation:
18.
De nada.
You're welcome.
Also common: 'Com prazer' (with pleasure).
explanation:
19.
Desculpe.
I'm sorry. / Excuse me.
Formal. Casual: 'Desculpa.' Also used to get attention.
explanation:
20.
Com licença.
Excuse me. (to pass)
Specifically for passing through or entering a space — 'with your permission.'
explanation:
💬 Ajuda com a Língua — Language Help
21.
Sim.
Yes.
'Pois' is a very Portuguese way to say yes/exactly/right — very common in conversation.
explanation:
22.
Não.
No.
The 'ão' nasal sound is distinctive in Portuguese — practice this sound!
explanation:
23.
Não entendo.
I don't understand.
explanation:
24.
Pode falar mais devagar, por favor?
Can you speak more slowly, please?
European Portuguese sounds faster than Brazilian — this phrase is very useful!
explanation:
25.
Fala inglês?
Do you speak English?
Many Portuguese, especially in cities, speak good English. Try Portuguese first — it's appreciated.
explanation:
Want to practice these phrases?
The LingoSwipe app lets you swipe through flashcards, hear native audio, and quiz yourself — across 11 languages.
Download LingoSwipe FreeAlso available in: