Practicing a few basic Portuguese phrases can figuratively (and literally) open doors for you.
As someone living in Portugal, I’ve discovered that many people in popular tourist areas do speak English.
While many of the basics of Portuguese remain the same around the world, there are some key differences.
Two people enjoying Rio de Janeiro views.Credit:JohnnyGreig/Getty Images
“Brazilian and European Portuguese are mutually intelligible,” Wolf said.
A good comparison, Wolf pointed out, is much like the difference between American and British English.
“Vocabulary-wise, there are some major differences’bus' in Brazil isonibus, while in Portugal itsautocarro.
Two surfers on a beach in Brazil.Oscar Gutierrez Zozulia/Getty Images
Even common verbs can change.
‘To rent’ isalugarin Brazil but oftenarrendarin Portugal.”
So, what do you really need to know?
Visitor viewing Porto and the Dom Luis I bridge.Alexander Spatari/Getty Images
:Ola, tudo bem?
My name is/What is your name?
:Meu nome e/Qual e seu nome?
People walking around Belem Tower in Lisbon, Portugal.MesquitaFMS/Getty Images
Nice to meet you:Muito prazer
I dont speak much Portuguese.
:Eu nao falo muito bem portugues.
Can you speak more slowly?
People walking around a beach plaza in Ipanema, Brazil.Maremagnum/Getty Images
:Pode falar mais devagar, por favor?
:
- Do you speak English?
Voce fala ingles?
Visitors taking photos of Lisbon’s cityscape.Gautier Houba/Travel + Leisure
(Brazil)/Fala ingles?
(Portugal)
- Where is…?
Onde fica…?
I need help: Preciso de ajuda
May I have…:Posso ter…
Call the police/ambulance/firefighter: Chame a policia/ambulancia/bombeiro
- Can you repeat that, hey?
Pode repetir, por favor?
- I dont understand: Nao entendo.
Onde fica o banheiro?
(Brazil)/Onde fica a casa de banho?
:Onde fica a estacao?
Im really enjoying the trip!
:Estou a gostar muito da viagem!
How much does this cost?
:Quanto custa isto?
:Estava tudo delicioso!
The bill, kindly.
:A conta, por favor.
“Always be sure you know the emergency numbers of the country youre traveling in.
In Portugal, the 911 equivalent is 112.
Its important to learn some of the cultural customs as well as the words.
“Its considered rude to enter a store and not greet those working there,” Wolf said.
“Its also helpful to learn about the tipping culture whenever you travel.
In Portugal, it is customary to leave a small tiparound 10 percentfor restaurants and cafe workers.”
“Speak Portuguese as much as possible, even if you make mistakes,” she said.
“Locals appreciate the effort and will often help you improve, making conversations more natural and meaningful.
The more you practice, the more confident youll become.”
“Even if you only learn a handful of phrases, using them can transform your trip.”
