15 Useful Portuguese Phrases for Tourists You Can’t Travel Without

Planning a trip to Portugal? While many people in Lisbon, Porto, and other popular destinations speak English, knowing a few basic Portuguese phrases can make your visit much smoother, more enjoyable, and even more memorable.

Locals truly appreciate it when visitors make an effort to speak their language, even if it’s just a few simple words. Using common Portuguese phrases for tourists can help you handle everyday situations with ease.

To help you get started, I’ve put together 15 essential Portuguese phrases for tourists, complete with pronunciation tips and practical travel context. These are the must-know Portuguese expressions for visitors, perfect for sightseeing, dining, and interacting with locals.

These phrases cover everything from greetings and polite expressions to useful Portuguese phrases for shopping, ordering meals, and getting around Portugal like a local.

Whether you’re strolling through Lisbon’s historic neighborhoods, exploring Porto’s riverside streets, or venturing off the beaten path, these easy Portuguese phrases for beginners will make your trip more seamless, enjoyable, and authentic.

At the same time, you don’t have to stress about the language barrier in Portugal, especially in bigger cities. After living in Lisbon for years, the Portuguese can tell that I am not a local, so whenever I start a conversation in Portuguese, they usually switch to English.

💡 Keep reading because I have prepared a useful cheat sheet at the end! I am sure you will want to save it on your phone for your next trip to Portugal.

Essential Portuguese Greetings

1. Olá (“Hello”)
Pronunciation: oh-lah
This is the most common and friendly way to greet someone in Portugal. Use it any time of day, it’s simple and always well received.

2. Bom dia / Boa tarde / Boa noite (“Good morning / Good afternoon / Good evening”)
Pronunciation: bohm dee-ah / boh-ah tar-deh / boh-ah noy-teh
If you want to sound more polite, use the time-specific greetings. Locals will instantly notice the effort.

3. Tudo bem? (“How are you?”)
Pronunciation: too-doo bang
This casual phrase is widely used. The easiest reply? Just say “Tudo bem!” back with a smile.

Polite Words Every Traveler Needs

4. Obrigado / Obrigada (“Thank you”)
Pronunciation: oh-bree-gah-doo (male) / oh-bree-gah-dah (female)
One of the most important words you’ll use in Portugal. Add “muito” (very) if you want to say “thank you very much.”

5. Adeus / Tchau (“Goodbye / Bye”)
Pronunciation: ah-deh-oosh / chow
“Adeus” is the more formal goodbye, while “Tchau” is casual, like “see you later.”

6. Por favor (“Please”)
Pronunciation: poor fah-vor
Essential for being polite. Pair it with your order or request: “Um café, por favor.”

7. Desculpe / Com licença (“Excuse me / Sorry”)
Pronunciation: desh-cool-peh / kohm lee-sen-sah
Say “Desculpe” if you bump into someone or need to get attention. Use “Com licença” when you want to politely pass through a crowd.

Useful Portuguese Phrases for Travel

8. Fala inglês? (“Do you speak English?”)
Pronunciation: fah-lah ing-lesh
Helpful when you’re struggling with Portuguese. Locals usually appreciate being asked first.

9. Sim / Não (“Yes / No”)
Pronunciation: seem / nowng (with a nasal “n”)
You’ll use these constantly while shopping, ordering, or answering questions.

10. Eu quero / Eu gostaria (“I want / I would like”)
Pronunciation: eh-oo keh-roo / eh-oo gosh-tah-ree-ah
Perfect when ordering food or drinks. For example: “Eu gostaria de um pastel de nata.”

11. Onde fica…? (“Where is…?”)
Pronunciation: ohn-deh fee-kah
Just add the place you’re looking for: “o banheiro” (the bathroom), “a estação” (the station), or “o museu” (the museum).

Everyday Vocabulary to Recognize

12. A conta, por favor (“The check, please”)
Pronunciation: ah kon-tah, poor fah-vor
In Portugal, the bill isn’t automatically brought to your table, so you’ll need to ask for it.

13. Entrada / Saída (“Entrance / Exit”)
Pronunciation: en-trah-dah / sah-ee-dah
Look for these words in train stations, metro stops, museums, and shopping centers.

14. Pastelaria / Padaria / Mercearia (“Pastry shop / Bakery / Grocery store”)
Pronunciation: pah-stel-ah-ree-ah / pah-dah-ree-ah / mehr-seh-ah-ree-ah
These small neighborhood shops are everywhere in Portugal. Pop into a pastelaria for your daily pastel de nata.

15. Com cartão / Em dinheiro (“By card / In cash”)
Pronunciation: kohm kar-tong / eng deeng-yay-roo
Portugal is mostly card-friendly, but some cafés and taxis still prefer cash, so knowing this phrase is useful.

Cheat Sheet! Basic Portuguese phrases

Quick Portuguese Pronunciation Tips for Tourists

If you’ve never spoken Portuguese before, some sounds can feel a little tricky at first. Don’t worry, you don’t need to sound like a local to be understood. These basic Portuguese pronunciation tips will help you say the most important travel phrases with confidence.

Nasal sounds: Words like não (no) and pão (bread) have a slight nasal tone.
The “ão” sound: A mix between “ow” and “ung,” as in pão or não.
Soft “d” and “t”: Dia (day) sounds like “jee-ah,” tia (aunt) like “chee-ah.”
The “r” sound: At the start of words like restaurante, it’s guttural, similar to Spanish “j.”
Vowels: Short and clear. Bom (good) is a quick, closed “boo(n).”
Start with greetings: Olá, Obrigado, Por favor—easy and instantly useful.

👉 Travel Tip: Even if your pronunciation isn’t perfect, say it with a smile. Locals appreciate the effort and will often help you with the right pronunciation.

In conclusion…

That wraps up the essential Portuguese phrases every traveler should know when visiting Portugal. These expressions are sure to come in handy and might even impress a few locals along the way.

I would love to hear your thoughts, so if you have any feedback or additional tips, leave a comment below. Also, check out my Instagram for regular travel videos and travel inspiration. Or explore other destinations on this travel blog.