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Top 50 Phrases in Portuguese
These 50 essential European Portuguese phrases will prepare you for conversations in Lisbon and beyond — with native audio for every phrase.
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 — Greetings & Goodbyes
1.
Olá.
Hello. / Hi.
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2.
Bom dia.
Good morning.
Always say bom dia when entering a shop — it is a sign of good manners in Portugal.
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3.
Boa tarde.
Good afternoon.
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4.
Boa noite.
Good evening. / Good night.
Boa noite works as both an evening greeting and a goodnight farewell.
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5.
Como está?
How are you? (Formal)
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6.
Tudo bem?
All good? / How's everything?
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7.
Prazer em conhecê-lo.
Pleased to meet you.
Friends greet with two kisses on the cheek — left first. Handshakes are for formal first meetings.
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8.
Até logo.
See you later. / Goodbye.
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9.
Adeus.
Goodbye. (Final farewell)
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10.
Bem-vindo!
Welcome!
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🙏 Cortesia — Essential Politeness
11.
Obrigado.
Thank you. (Male speaker)
Men say obrigado, women say obrigada — the gender of the speaker, not the listener, determines the form.
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12.
Obrigada.
Thank you. (Female speaker)
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13.
De nada.
You're welcome. / It's nothing.
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14.
Por favor.
Please.
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15.
Com licença.
Excuse me. / Pardon me.
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16.
Desculpe.
Sorry. / Excuse me.
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17.
Sim.
Yes.
Pois is a uniquely Portuguese word meaning yes, I see, of course, or I understand — used constantly.
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18.
Não.
No.
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19.
Não percebo.
I don't understand.
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20.
Está bem.
OK. / All right. / Fine.
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🗺️ Orientação — Getting Around
21.
Fala inglês?
Do you speak English?
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22.
Onde fica...?
Where is...?
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23.
Quanto custa?
How much does it cost?
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24.
A conta, por favor.
The bill, please.
Waiters wait to be asked for the bill — requesting it is not considered rude.
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25.
Queria...
I would like...
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26.
Estou perdido.
I am lost.
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27.
Falo um pouco de português.
I speak a little Portuguese.
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28.
Pode falar mais devagar?
Can you speak more slowly?
European Portuguese swallows many vowels and sounds very different from Brazilian Portuguese — be patient with yourself.
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29.
Socorro!
Help! (Emergency)
One number for all emergencies in Portugal: 112 — police, ambulance, and fire.
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30.
Preciso de ajuda.
I need help.
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🥧 Comida e Bebida — Food & Drink
31.
Um café, por favor.
A coffee, please.
In Lisbon, espresso is called a bica. Standing at the bar is cheaper than sitting at a table.
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32.
Um pastel de nata, por favor.
A custard tart, please.
The original pastéis de Belém recipe from the Jerónimos monastery has been a secret since 1837.
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33.
Saúde!
Cheers! / To your health!
Portugal produces exceptional wine — Vinho Verde and Port are must-tries.
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34.
Bom apetite!
Enjoy your meal!
Sunday lunch — almoço de domingo — is a sacred family tradition in Portugal, often lasting 2–3 hours.
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35.
Está delicioso!
It is delicious!
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36.
Sou vegetariano.
I am vegetarian.
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37.
Água, por favor.
Water, please.
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38.
Qual é a especialidade da casa?
What is the house speciality?
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39.
Mais um, por favor.
Another one, please.
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40.
Sem açúcar, por favor.
Without sugar, please.
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🏙️ Vida Quotidiana — Everyday Life
41.
Onde é a casa de banho?
Where is the bathroom?
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42.
Estou a aprender português.
I am learning Portuguese.
European Portuguese uses estar a + infinitive while Brazilian Portuguese uses estar + gerund — a key difference.
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43.
Aceita cartão?
Do you accept card?
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44.
É muito caro.
It is very expensive.
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45.
Que saudade!
I miss it so much! / What nostalgia!
Saudade is considered untranslatable — a deep longing for something beloved. It is the emotional heart of Portuguese culture.
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46.
Que lindo!
How beautiful! / How lovely!
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47.
Não sei.
I don't know.
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48.
Pode ajudar-me?
Can you help me?
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49.
Onde posso encontrar...?
Where can I find...?
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50.
Portugal é maravilhoso!
Portugal is wonderful!
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