Whether you're learning Portuguese for travel, work, family, or just for fun, these 10 phrases are the perfect starting point. They're practical, commonly used in everyday Brazilian Portuguese, and will earn you instant respect from native speakers.
1. Tudo bem? / Tudo bom?
This is the Brazilian equivalent of "How are you?" — but it literally means "Everything good?" You'll hear it constantly. The typical response is "Tudo bem!" or "Tudo bom!" (Everything's good!).
2. Obrigado / Obrigada
"Thank you." Men say "obrigado" and women say "obrigada." This is one of the first words you should learn and use often.
3. Por favor
"Please." Simple, polite, and goes a long way in any interaction.
4. Com licença
"Excuse me." Use this when you need to get someone's attention, pass through a crowd, or politely interrupt. It's more formal than "desculpa" (sorry).
5. Quanto custa?
"How much does it cost?" Essential for shopping, restaurants, and services. Drop this at a market in Brazil and you'll navigate like a local.
6. Eu não entendo
"I don't understand." Don't be embarrassed to say this — it's much better than pretending you understood and ending up confused.
7. Pode me ajudar?
"Can you help me?" Brazilians are famously friendly and will almost always jump at the chance to help you out.
8. Muito prazer
"Nice to meet you." Use this when meeting someone for the first time. It literally means "much pleasure" and sets a warm, friendly tone.
9. Eu gostaria de...
"I would like..." Perfect for ordering food, making requests, or asking for something politely. "Eu gostaria de um café, por favor" = "I would like a coffee, please."
10. Tchau!
"Bye!" Short, sweet, and universally understood. Brazilians also say "Até logo" (see you later) or "Até mais" (see you soon).
Want to Learn More?
These 10 phrases are just the beginning. If you want to build real fluency — for work, travel, or connecting with Portuguese-speaking family — personalized coaching sessions can take you from beginner to confident speaker. Language coaching sessions start at $50 per session and are available in-person in Orlando or via Zoom. Book at staelfogarty.com.