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Portuguese for Travelers: 70+ Essential Portuguese Phrases for Tourists

Why Learn Portuguese for Travelers?

When we travel it is very important to know a little about the culture of the place that we are visiting, right? So learning the language is a big step and it will help you a lot. With that in mind, we are going to learn some Portuguese for Travelers vocabulary, so you can travel to Brazil knowing some stuff! Do you know how to say “Have a good trip” in Portuguese?

When you come to Brazil you must be prepared and know at least basic Portuguese for travel. We don’t want you to get uncomfortable because you can’t ask where the bathroom is in Portuguese! Don’t forget to check out our (Which you can learn here).
Once you’re here you’ll need to greet people and be polite, right? Here you can learn the greetings in Portuguese. Arrive at the airport already saying OLÁ, TUDO BEM? and feeling great that you can communicate!

So, prepare yourself and let’s learn a little vocabulary today so you can communicate during your trip to Brazil!

Go beyond the basics: get truly conversational before your flight! Sign up for our interactive Portuguese online lessons today!

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👋 Greetings and Small Talk

When you meet Brazilians, expect a smile and a friendly “Oi!”. Learn how to greet people, ask how they are, and say goodbye naturally. These expressions are perfect to start conversations anywhere in Brazil.

Portuguese Audio English
Oi! / Olá! Hi / Hello
Bom dia! Good morning
Boa tarde! Good afternoon
Boa noite! Good evening / Good night
Tudo bem? How are you?
Tudo ótimo! Everything’s great!
Prazer em conhecer você. Nice to meet you.
Como vai? How’s it going?
Até logo! See you soon!
Tchau! Bye!
Até amanhã! See you tomorrow
Bom fim de semana! Have a good weekend!

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🇵🇹 In Portugal you might hear “Olá, tudo bem?” too, but “Como estás?” is more common there.

Do you prefer to study in the marvelous city while sipping caipirinhas? Come learn in-person with us!

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🙏 Politeness Basics

Brazilians are warm and polite, and a few kind words go a long way! Master these simple expressions to show respect and kindness wherever you go.

Portuguese Audio English
Por favor. Please.
Obrigado / Obrigada. Thank you.
De nada. You’re welcome.
Com licença. Excuse me (to pass by).
Desculpa. Sorry.
Muito prazer! A pleasure to meet you!
Não tem problema. No problem.
Tudo bem! It’s okay!

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💡 Tip: In Brazil, men say obrigado, women say obrigada. Both are polite everywhere.

Brazilian vs. European Portuguese: what changes for travelers

A fast cheat sheet so you don’t overthink it on your trip.

  • Pronunciation & “you”: In Brazil, people mostly say você. In Portugal you’ll also hear tu (informal) and some different sounds.
  • Polite “please/thanks”: Por favor and obrigado/obrigada work in both places.
  • Vocabulary differences (useful examples):
    • Bus: ônibus (BR) / autocarro (PT)
    • Train: trem (BR) / comboio (PT)
    • Bathroom: banheiro (BR) / casa de banho (PT)
    • Line/queue: fila (BR) / fila or bicha (PT—avoid in BR)

If you’re going to Portugal, these phrases still help—you might just hear different replies. 😉

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🚕 Getting Around & Asking for Directions

Rio, São Paulo, Salvador, Recife — wherever you go, these expressions will help you find your way, ask for directions, and move around confidently.

Portuguese Audio English
Onde fica o metrô? Where is the subway?
Onde fica o banheiro? Where is the bathroom?
É longe? Is it far?
Vira à direita / esquerda. Turn right / left.
Quanto custa a passagem? How much is the ticket?
Pode me deixar aqui? Can you drop me here?
Eu quero ir para Copacabana. I want to go to Copacabana.
Pode ligar o taxímetro, por favor? Can you turn on the meter, please?

🇵🇹 In Portugal, “ônibus” is autocarro and “metrô” is metro (same spelling, shorter “e”).

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Now, how about some vocabulary so you can communicate during your trip to Brazil?

Travel Vocabulary List

Portuguese Audio English
Fazer as malas Pack the bags
A câmera The camera
O mapa da cidade City map
O passaporte The passport
As revistas turísticas The travel magazines
O guia turístico The guide book
O guia de turismo The tour guide
As passagens The flight tickets
O hotel The hotel
O albergue / O hostel The hostel
A casa de câmbio Currency exchange
Trocar dinheiro To exchange money
Pedir informações Ask for information
Pedir um táxi Call a cab / taxi
Pontos turísticos Touristic attractions / sights
Roteiro de viagem Travel itinerary
Dar a volta ao mundo Travel around the world
Tirar férias Take a vacation
Tirar fotos Take photos
Posar para foto Pose for photo
Visitar Visit
Desfazer as malas Unpack the bags
Turistas Tourists
Estrangeiro/a Foreigner
Gringo Foreigner
Tenha uma boa viagem Have a good trip

🙌 Brazilian Good Manners & Non-verbal Tips

  • Always greet with Oi or Tudo bem? before asking questions.
  • A friendly smile is your best tool.
  • Brazilians stand closer when talking — it’s natural.
  • Com licença to pass by, Desculpa if you bump someone.
  • Tipping: 10% is usually added to the bill; you can add more if service is great.
  • When in doubt: be kind, relaxed, and say Tudo bem!

 

The best places to try those politeness tips are when you go to restaurants, cafés or hotels. You’ll notice the warm treatment Brazilians have and will feel like giving your kindness back. Here are more phrases to help you.

In Restaurants and Cafés

Brazilian food is full of flavor — and knowing what to say at a restaurant will make every meal easier! Use these phrases to order, pay, and compliment the chef like a local.

Portuguese Audio English
Um café, por favor. A coffee, please.
Um suco de laranja, por favor. An orange juice, please.
A conta, por favor. The bill, please.
Aceita cartão? Do you take card?
Está incluída a gorjeta? Is the tip included?
Posso ver o cardápio? Can I see the menu?
O que você recomenda? What do you recommend?
Está delicioso! It’s delicious!
Quero pagar em dinheiro. I want to pay in cash.
Pode embrulhar pra viagem? Can you pack it to go?

Brazilian food is amazing, you can learn here how to talk to the waiter and restaurant vocabulary in Portuguese. Not all restaurants have English speaking waiters… And to help you have a good trip, here are some Brazilian drinks and famous Brazilian foods. If you don’t know any of these, I highly recommend drinking mate and eating feijoada.

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Want to learn fast while exploring? Our Rio & Immersion course is the best way to combine travel and learning.

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🏨 At the Hotel

Checking in? Asking about Wi-Fi? These sentences will help you manage everything at your hotel, from your reservation to breakfast and checkout times.

Portuguese Audio English
Tenho uma reserva. I have a reservation.
Em que nome? Under what name?
O café da manhã está incluído? Is breakfast included?
Que horas é o check-out? What time is check-out?
Pode chamar um táxi? Can you call a taxi?
Onde fica o elevador? Where is the elevator?
Tem Wi-Fi aqui? Is there Wi-Fi here?
Qual é a senha do Wi-Fi? What’s the Wi-Fi password?

If you are planning to stay in a hotel in Brazil, check our Dica Hotel in Portuguese and learn how to make a reservation!

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Now, how about some vocabulary so you can communicate during your trip to Brazil?

Looking for a unique cultural dive? Discover our Immersion Course in Recife!

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Have a Good Trip While Learning Portuguese!

It’s important to say that in Portuguese the word gringo is not used as an offensive word, it’s pretty common actually. Brazilians use the the word gringo as a synonym to foreign. That is, we call everyone who’s not Brazilian: gringo.

Take a look at how we say excuse me in Portuguese so you can be polite and respectful when you travel in Portuguese.

How often do you travel? Come to our city and get know Rio de Janeiro. We’ll teach you basic Portuguese for tourists or if you’d like to stay longer we’ll teach you all the Portuguese you’ll ever need to know!

Hopefully you won’t need these, but it’s smart to know them. Learn how to ask for help, report a problem, or handle a medical situation in Portuguese.

Portuguese Audio English
Preciso de ajuda. I need help.
Chame a polícia! Call the police!
Perdi meu passaporte. I lost my passport.
Estou doente. I’m sick.
Preciso de um médico. I need a doctor.
Onde fica o hospital mais próximo? Where is the nearest hospital?
Socorro! Help!

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Ready to study Portuguese?

If you want to develop your Portuguese and come to Brazil for tourism, we have just the right courses for you. From online courses that you can take anywhere in the world, to in-person courses in Rio de Janeiro: you will for sure learn Portuguese whatever is your choice! Take a look below at the courses we have selected for you to really learn Portuguese for Travelers!

Want to arrive already knowing the language?

Obviously we can help you out with our online Portuguese classes! These are designed for you to learn from wherever you are, with native teachers while having fun! Don’t worry about having any difficulties with softwares and materials: logging into your class is super easy and all our material is online and intuitive. You will have a native teacher to guide your learning process, and also RioONLINE! activities to develop your Portuguese outside the classroom. You can ask your teacher to focus on Portuguese for Travelers content, to address all your needs!

Want to learn Portuguese while traveling in Rio?

Undoubtedly! Have a good trip while you learn Portuguese in-person, so you won’t feel like another regular tourist! First, you can select how many weeks you want to study with us, and second, choose from having a getting to know Rio de Janeiro with your own teacher, private classes or group classes! And we can also ever offer you accommodation options and free activities to get to know Rio de Janeiro and Brazilian culture! Your traveling will be so much easier with our help! And we are sure you will feel like home from the instant you arrive at the airport.

Want to learn Portuguese while discovering Recife?

Enjoy an unforgettable trip while you join our Portuguese Immersion Course in Recife, so you won’t feel like just another tourist on the beach! With your teacher, you’ll explore Recife Antigo, Olinda, local markets and amazing beaches, tasting typical food and talking to Brazilians in everyday situations. With our support, Recife will feel like home from the moment you arrive at the airport!

Want to stay for a longer period?

Indeed, don’t fret, dear! We can help you out with 6-month or 1-year student visa! This way, you can get to know Rio (and even Brazil itself!) while you really learn Portuguese for a longer period.

Check out our EXCLUSIVE Additional Programs

Surf Weeks

Surf Weeks is an amazing addition to the Rio sun! Come learn to surf in our incredible ocean, make friends and also learn Portuguese on one of the most famous beaches on Earth!

Samba Weeks

Samba Weeks is an amazing opportunity to learn samba while also learning Portuguese! Enjoy our exclusive class with native teachers who will give you a real taste of Brazil!

Climbing Weeks

Climbing Weeks is one of our exclusive programs for adrenaline junkies! Come with us and enjoy not only this incredible activity, but also the incomparable view of Rio!

Capoeira Weeks

Capoeira Weeks is one of our additional programs that allows you to immerse yourself in Brazilian culture. Come with us to learn this amazing fight that also resembles a dance!

 
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Forró Weeks

Forró Weeks is the perfect way to feel the Brazilian rhythm! Learn this vibrant dance with a private instructor and also learn Portuguese while experiencing the culture of Brazil!

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Funk Weeks

Funk Weeks brings you the true energy of Rio! Get ready to move your body, feel the beat and also learn Portuguese while dancing like a real Carioca!

 

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