A1 Survival phrases and words in Portuguese
The essential phrases for surviving and thriving in Brazil as a tourist or newcomer. Brazilian Portuguese is warm, informal, and rhythmically distinct from European Portuguese — 'casa de banho' will get you funny looks; 'banheiro' is the word. Brazilians are famously welcoming and will cheer you on for every attempt. These phrases lean toward the way people actually talk in Brazil, including contractions like 'tô' (estou) and 'tá' (está) that are standard in everyday speech.
15 phrases · meanings & example sentences
“Fala mais devagar, por favor”
Speak more slowly, please. Essential from day one. Brazilian Portuguese is spoken quickly and with a lot of linked sounds — new learners often can't tell where one word ends and the next begins. Most Brazilians will immediately slow down and often start over from the beginning when you ask, which is incredibly helpful.
- The hotel receptionist in São Paulo is rattling through the check-in process — 'Fala mais devagar, por favor' and she repeats everything at half speed.
- Your Uber driver in Rio is giving you a commentary on the neighborhood and you're catching about one word in three — 'Fala mais devagar, por favor' and suddenly the conversation becomes followable.
- The waiter at a churrascaria is describing the different cuts of meat very quickly — 'Fala mais devagar, por favor' so you can actually decide what you want.
“Eu ainda não falo muito bem português”
I don't speak Portuguese very well yet. The 'ainda' (still/yet) signals that you're learning, which tends to bring out the best in Brazilians — they love teaching their language and will often become enthusiastic helpers. This is better than saying 'Não falo português' which closes the door.
- You arrive at a restaurant in Belo Horizonte and the waitress starts speaking at full speed — 'Eu ainda não falo muito bem português' before she goes further.
- At a government service counter in Fortaleza — say this first and the attendant will immediately simplify and take it step by step.
- Someone at a beach in Florianópolis tries to make conversation — 'Eu ainda não falo muito bem português' leads to a fun, patient exchange.
“Quanto custa?”
How much does it cost? The core transaction phrase. Used everywhere from street markets to boutiques. You can also say 'Quanto é?' (how much is it?) which means the same thing. Both are completely natural. At street fairs and open markets in Brazil, prices are sometimes negotiable — this phrase opens the conversation.
- At a feira livre (street market) in São Paulo where the prices aren't always posted — 'Quanto custa?' to the vendor.
- A street food stall in Salvador serving acarajé — 'Quanto custa?' before joining the queue.
- At a craft market in Paraty where the artisans price their own work — 'Quanto custa?' for the handpainted tile.
“Onde fica o banheiro?”
Where is the bathroom? 'Banheiro' is the Brazilian word — never use 'casa de banho' which is European Portuguese and will sound foreign. 'Onde fica' (where is/where can I find) is slightly more complete and natural than just 'onde está' in Brazilian speech. Bathrooms in many Brazilian restaurants and bars require a key from the staff, so asking is even more necessary.
- You arrive at a boteco (local bar) in Rio and need to find the bathroom — 'Onde fica o banheiro?' to the barman.
- At a shopping center in Recife where the layout is large and confusing — 'Onde fica o banheiro?' to a security guard.
- In a sit-down restaurant in Curitiba — 'Onde fica o banheiro?' to the waiter as he passes.
“Pode repetir?”
Can you repeat that? Short, natural, and polite. 'Pode' (can you) plus 'repetir' (repeat) is the standard way to ask for a repetition in Brazilian Portuguese. You might also hear people say 'Como?' (How? / What?) as a one-word 'pardon?' — that works too but 'pode repetir?' is more polite and complete.
- A cashier says the total amount quietly and you didn't catch it — 'Pode repetir?' before you hand over money.
- A guide at Iguaçu Falls says something about the water volume that you almost understand — 'Pode repetir mais devagar?' (repeat more slowly) gets the full explanation.
- Your host gives you the Wi-Fi password quickly — 'Pode repetir?' while you type.
“Tô só olhando”
I'm just looking / browsing. The casual Brazilian contraction: 'tô' is short for 'estou' (I am), and this shortened form is completely standard in everyday Brazilian speech. Using it marks you as someone engaged with real Brazilian Portuguese rather than just textbook phrases. It will often get a surprised smile and instant goodwill.
- You walk into a clothing boutique in Ipanema and the shop assistant immediately offers help — 'Tô só olhando, obrigado/a' and she gives you space.
- At an artisan market in Paraty where vendors are eager — 'Tô só olhando' with a friendly tone.
- In a souvenir shop near Corcovado — 'Tô só olhando' lets you look without feeling pressured.
“Pode trazer a conta?”
Can you bring the bill? In Brazil, waiters do not bring the bill until asked — it's considered rude to rush a table. You will sometimes wait a very long time if you don't ask. The phrasing 'pode trazer' (can you bring) is natural and polite. Some places have a service station where you go to pay — but in sit-down restaurants, always ask.
- After a full churrasco lunch in Porto Alegre — you catch the waiter's eye and ask 'Pode trazer a conta?'
- At a beach restaurant in Búzios after a long lazy lunch — 'Pode trazer a conta?' when the waiter walks by.
- At a boteco in Lapa after a few rounds — 'Pode trazer a conta?' to the barman when you're ready to move on.
“Tem alguma recomendação?”
Do you have a recommendation? Brazilians are proud of their food and regional cuisine varies dramatically by state — from Bahian acarajé and moqueca to Mineiro feijão tropeiro to Gaucho churrasco. Asking for a recommendation is always met with genuine enthusiasm and often leads to your best meal of the trip.
- You're in a Bahian restaurant in Salvador staring at a long menu of unfamiliar dishes — 'Tem alguma recomendação?' and the waiter points you to the moqueca.
- At a pé-sujo (rustic local bar) in Belo Horizonte — 'Tem alguma recomendação?' scores you the house special that's not on the menu.
- In a cachaça shop in Paraty where there are hundreds of bottles — 'Tem alguma recomendação?' gets you the one the owner is proud of.
“Sou alérgico/a a ___”
I'm allergic to ___. Use 'alérgico' if you're male, 'alérgica' if female. Common allergens in Brazilian cuisine to know: camarão (shrimp), amendoim (peanuts), glúten (gluten), leite/laticínios (milk/dairy), frutos do mar (seafood). Brazilian food can contain hidden ingredients — coconut milk, palm oil, and shellfish pastes are common in Northeastern cuisine especially.
- In a Bahian restaurant where nearly every dish contains dendê (palm oil) or camarão — 'Sou alérgica a frutos do mar' clearly before ordering.
- At a padaria (bakery) when you need to check for nuts — 'Sou alérgico a amendoim — tem amendoim nesse bolo?'
- At a high-end restaurant in São Paulo where sauces can be complex — 'Sou alérgica a glúten' before the waiter makes a recommendation.
“O que significa ___?”
What does ___ mean? Your vocabulary-building tool in real-world situations. Point at a word on a menu or sign, say the word, and ask this. Brazilians are generally warm and happy to explain — it also signals genuine interest in the culture, which is always appreciated.
- A menu item says 'pão de queijo' and you want to know exactly what it is — 'O que significa pão de queijo?' and the waiter happily explains.
- A sign at the beach says 'corrente perigosa' — 'O que significa isso?' and someone explains it means dangerous current.
- The waiter describes a dish as 'apimentado' — 'O que significa apimentado?' and you learn it means spicy before committing to it.
“Vou pensar”
I'm going to think about it. A polite, natural exit from a sales situation or any moment of pressure to decide. More gracious than an outright 'não obrigado' when someone has given you time and attention. Leaves things open without committing.
- A tour operator in Manaus is pitching you a multi-day jungle trip and the price is higher than you expected — 'Vou pensar' lets you compare elsewhere.
- A market vendor in Olinda has shown you several pieces of artisanware and is waiting hopefully — 'Vou pensar' is a kind way to pause.
- A phone shop assistant in a shopping mall has given you a full demo — 'Vou pensar' and you leave without pressure.
“Um segundo”
One second. Buy yourself a moment to think, find something, or check your phone. Colloquial and completely natural. You might also say 'Um momento' which is slightly more formal but equally common.
- The cashier at a supermarket in Rio asks if you have the loyalty card and you need to check — 'Um segundo' while you look through your wallet.
- A waiter is ready to take your order but you're still deciding — 'Um segundo, por favor' and he gives you a moment.
- You need to pull up the address on your phone before the taxi drives off — 'Um segundo!' while you find it.
“Pode escrever?”
Can you write it down? Incredibly useful when you can't quite hear or understand something spoken — a price, a name, a street, a phone number. Most people will happily write it for you on a piece of paper or on your phone. Especially valuable when understanding spoken numbers in a foreign language, which is always tricky.
- A vendor at a market tells you the price but you're not sure if you heard 'quinze' (15) or 'cinquenta' (50) reais — 'Pode escrever?' and she writes it down.
- Someone is giving you a phone number — 'Pode escrever?' while you hand them your phone.
- A pharmacist is telling you a medicine name that sounds unfamiliar — 'Pode escrever?' so you have it in writing.
“Aceita cartão?”
Do you accept card? In Brazil, Pix (the instant payment system) has become the dominant payment method alongside cards. Most places in cities accept cards, but street vendors, small bars, and market stalls often prefer cash or Pix. If you can set up a Brazilian bank account or use an app that supports Pix, it solves most payment situations instantly.
- A food truck at a street festival in São Paulo — 'Aceita cartão?' before you order the pastel.
- A taxi in smaller cities where the driver might not have a card machine — 'Aceita cartão?' before you get in.
- A small pousada (guesthouse) in a beach town — 'Aceita cartão?' at check-in before you need to find an ATM.
“Me dá uma água, por favor”
Give me a water, please. The construction 'me dá' (give me) is very standard and natural in Brazilian Portuguese for ordering things — it sounds direct to European ears but is completely polite and normal in Brazil. Learning this pattern ('me dá um café', 'me dá uma cerveja') unlocks a huge range of ordering situations.
- Sitting at a boteco in Rio de Janeiro and catching the barman's eye — 'Me dá uma água, por favor'
- At a lanchonete (snack bar) in São Paulo — 'Me dá um café com leite, por favor'
- On the beach in Ipanema from a vendor walking by — 'Me dá uma água de coco, por favor'
