20 phrases you need to know to talk to a local in Brazil

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Knowing a few words in the local language goes a long way when you’re in a foreign country. Being able to say ‘please’ and ‘thank you’, as well as being able to greet in the native tongue is appreciated by the locals.

With this in mind, this is the first of a series of posts focusing on twenty words or phrases in the local language to help you get by in different countries around the world. For the World Cup kick-off, we're starting with Brazilian Portuguese…

  1. Hello – Olá
  2. Goodbye – Tchau
  3. Yes – Sim
  4. No – Não
  5. Please – Por favor
  6. Thank you – Obrigado (said by men) and Obrigada (said by women)
  7. My address is... – Meu endereço é...
  8. How much is... – Quanto que é...
  9. Can I please have... – Por favor, eu gostaria de uma...
  10. I would like a beer / water please – Eu gostaria de uma cerveja / água, por favor
  11. I really like your house – Eu adoro a sua casa
  12. Brazil is a very beautiful country! – O Brasil é um país muito lindo!
  13. I can only speak a small bit of Portuguese – Eu falo só um pouquinho de português
  14. What is the best part of the city for bars / restaurants? – Qual é a melhor parte da cidade para bares / restaurantes?
  15. One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten – Um, dois, três, quatro, cinco, seis, sete, oito, nove, dez
  16. Do you come here often? – Você vem sempre aqui?
  17. Is this seat taken? – Este assento está ocupado?
  18. Help... I’m lost! – Me ajuda... estou perdido!
  19. Where is the train station / bus station / toilet? – Onde é a estação de trem / a estação de ônibus / o banheiro?
  20. Have a nice day! – Tenha um bom dia!

And for those of you lucky enough to be going to the World Cup…

  1. Which way to the stadium? – Para onde é o estádio?
  2. Who do you think is going to win? – Quem você acha que vai ganhar?
  3. I don’t believe it! – Eu não acredito!
  4. Penalty! – Penalti!
  5. Gooooooooalll!!!! – Goooooooolll!

Check out our homestays in Brazil.


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