Essential Portuguese Phrases for Travel: 24 Phrases You'll Actually Use
Portuguese is spoken in Portugal, Brazil, Angola, Mozambique and more — over 250 million people. Whether you are in Lisbon or Rio, these phrases cover the moments that matter: greeting, eating, getting around and asking for help.
Updated October 2026
Basics and greetings
| English | Portuguese |
|---|---|
| Hello | Olá |
| Goodbye | Tchau / Adeus |
| Please | Por favor |
| Thank you | Obrigado / Obrigada |
| Yes | Sim |
| No | Não |
| Excuse me / Sorry | Desculpe / Com licença |
| I don't understand | Não entendo |
| Do you speak English? | Fala inglês? |
At the restaurant
| English | Portuguese |
|---|---|
| A table for two, please | Uma mesa para dois, por favor |
| The menu, please | O menu, por favor |
| Water, please | Água, por favor |
| The bill, please | A conta, por favor |
| It's delicious | Está delicioso |
Getting around and shopping
| English | Portuguese |
|---|---|
| Where is the toilet? | Onde fica o banheiro? (BR) · Onde fica a casa de banho? (PT) |
| Where is the station? | Onde fica a estação? |
| How much is it? | Quanto custa? |
| Can you write it down? | Pode escrever? |
Emergencies and health
| English | Portuguese |
|---|---|
| Help! | Socorro! |
| I need a doctor | Preciso de um médico |
| Where is the pharmacy? | Onde fica a farmácia? |
| Call the police! | Chame a polícia! |
| I'm lost | Estou perdido / perdida |
Practical tips
- "Thank you" depends on who speaks: men say "obrigado", women say "obrigada".
- Brazil and Portugal use different words: the toilet is "banheiro" in Brazil and "casa de banho" in Portugal.
- Portuguese from Portugal sounds faster and "swallows" vowels; Brazilian Portuguese is often easier for beginners to follow.
- Don't answer in Spanish: most people understand it, but Portuguese speakers prefer Portuguese — or English.
Too many phrases to remember?
With OIEM Translator you can simply talk. Choose English and Portuguese, tap the microphone once and speak normally: the translation appears in about half a second and is spoken out loud in Portuguese. When the other person answers, OIEM detects their language automatically and translates back — no need to tap again.
- Hands-free two-way conversation
- Text translation also works offline
- Photo translation for menus and signs
Free to download with free voice translations to try. The weekly plan includes a 3-day free trial.
Frequently asked questions
Is Brazilian Portuguese very different from European Portuguese?
They understand each other well. Pronunciation and some everyday words differ; the phrases here work in both, with the main differences noted.
Can my phone speak Portuguese for me?
Yes. With a voice translator like OIEM Translator you speak in English and your iPhone says it out loud in Portuguese, then translates the answer back. It is useful when a phrase list is not enough.
Do these phrases work offline?
This page works offline if you save it or take screenshots before your trip. In OIEM Translator, text translation works offline; voice translation needs an internet connection.