You do not need fluent Portuguese to travel independently in Brazil, but a small set of precise phrases prevents more problems than a large vocabulary list. Save this page offline, add your accommodation address, and practice saying numbers and times clearly.
Polite basics
| Portuguese | English |
|---|---|
| Bom dia / Boa tarde / Boa noite | Good morning / afternoon / evening |
| Por favor | Please |
| Obrigado / Obrigada | Thank you |
| Com licença | Excuse me / may I pass? |
| Desculpe | Sorry |
| Eu não falo muito português | I do not speak much Portuguese |
| Pode falar mais devagar? | Can you speak more slowly? |
| Pode escrever, por favor? | Can you write it down, please? |
"Obrigado" is traditionally used by a man and "obrigada" by a woman referring to herself. A sincere greeting before the question matters.
Directions and transport
| Portuguese | English |
|---|---|
| Onde fica...? | Where is...? |
| É longe a pé? | Is it far on foot? |
| Este ônibus vai para...? | Does this bus go to...? |
| Onde eu desço? | Where do I get off? |
| Este ônibus é direto? | Is this bus direct? |
| De qual plataforma sai? | Which platform does it leave from? |
| Qual é o horário de volta? | What is the return time? |
| Pode confirmar o ponto de encontro? | Can you confirm the meeting point? |
| Quanto tempo demora? | How long does it take? |
Show the written destination because pronunciation and similar place names can cause confusion. For buses, also save the long-distance bus guide.
Hotel phrases
| Portuguese | English |
|---|---|
| Tenho uma reserva em nome de... | I have a reservation under... |
| O café da manhã está incluído? | Is breakfast included? |
| Qual é o horário do check-out? | What is checkout time? |
| Tem água quente? | Is there hot water? |
| O quarto tem degraus? | Does the room have steps? |
| Pode guardar a bagagem? | Can you store the luggage? |
| A recepção funciona à noite? | Is reception open at night? |
Restaurant phrases
| Portuguese | English |
|---|---|
| O que vai neste prato? | What is in this dish? |
| Esta porção serve quantas pessoas? | How many people does this portion serve? |
| Sem pimenta, por favor | No chili, please |
| O molho pode vir à parte? | Can the sauce come separately? |
| A conta, por favor | The bill, please |
| Aceita cartão? | Do you accept cards? |
| Tem taxa de serviço? | Is there a service charge? |
Food allergies require exact, condition-specific language, not this general list. Use the dedicated allergy guide.
Money and shopping
- Quanto custa?; How much does it cost?
- Tem troco?; Do you have change?
- Posso pagar por aproximação?; Can I pay contactless?
- Preciso de recibo.; I need a receipt.
- Não quero, obrigado/obrigada.; I do not want it, thank you.
PIX is a Brazilian bank transfer system, not automatically available to every foreign visitor. Ask for card or cash instead of transferring money through an unfamiliar person.
Getting help
| Portuguese | English |
|---|---|
| Preciso de ajuda | I need help |
| Estou perdido / perdida | I am lost |
| Chame a polícia, por favor | Call the police, please |
| Preciso de um médico | I need a doctor |
| Perdi meu passaporte | I lost my passport |
| Onde é a farmácia mais próxima? | Where is the nearest pharmacy? |
| Pode ligar para este número? | Can you call this number? |
For emergencies, use current official numbers and travel-insurance instructions. A phrase list is not a substitute for professional help.
Numbers and time traps
Ask people to type a price or departure time into your phone. Confirm whether "duas e meia" means 2:30 and whether a time is morning or afternoon. Brazil commonly uses the 24-hour clock in tickets and schedules.
Build a personal phrase card
Add your name, passport nationality, accommodation, emergency contact, allergies, mobility needs, and next destination in Portuguese. Keep a screenshot and a paper copy. Translation apps are useful, but downloaded language data and written addresses still work when signal does not.