By Soren Rivero ✔ Reviewed by travel expert Ben Braude
Working on setting your itinerary for an upcoming trip to Portugal? Before you go, consider learning some useful Portuguese words to know to make your travels all the better. Not only will it help you understand what's going on (hello, tourist confusion), but locals always appreciate the effort visitors make to speak their language, and knowing a little Portuguese can really go a long way.
Ready to go? Here is a list of some helpful Portuguese phrases for travel to use during your stay, whether you want to order food or need help exploring each city's best attractions.
Start your adventures by exploring our vacation packages to Portugal.
Main Phrases and Greetings
These essential phrases will help you with everyday interactions, from greeting someone to asking if they speak English. They will also allow you to introduce yourself and respond politely in conversations.
Olá! (Oh-lah)
Hello! (General greeting)
Bom dia! (Bom dee-ah)
Good morning!
Boa tarde! (Boa tar-deh)
Good afternoon!
Boa noite! (Boa no-ee-teh)
Good evening/good night!
Como está? (Koh-moo es-tah?)
How are you? (Formal)
Meu nome é... (Meh-oo no-meh eh...)
My name is...
Você fala inglês? (Vo-seh fah-lah een-glez?)
Do you speak English?
Não entendo. (Now en-ten-doo)
I don't understand.
Desculpe. (Dehs-kool-peh)
Excuse me / Sorry.
Por favor. (Por fah-vor)
Please.
Obrigado/Obrigada. (Oh-bree-gah-doh / Oh-bree-gah-dah)
Thank you! (Male/Female speaker)
De nada (Deh nah-dah)
You're welcome.
Com licença (Kom lee-sen-sah)
Excuse me (Used specifically when pushing through a crowd or entering a room).
Dining Out in Portugal
Tasting Portuguese cuisine will definitely be one of the highlights of your visit. These phrases will help you navigate restaurants and cafés with ease.
O menu, por favor. (O meh-noo, por fah-vor)
Can I see the menu, please?
Eu sou alérgico/a a... (Ew soh ah-ler-zhee-coo/a ah...)
I'm allergic to...
Eu sou vegetariano/a. (Ew soh ve-ge-tah-ree-ah-noh/ah)
I am vegetarian.
A conta, por favor. (Ah kon-tah, por fah-vor)
The check, please.
Onde fica o banheiro? (On-deh fee-kah o ban-yei-ro?)
Where is the bathroom?
Água sem gás / com gás (Ah-gwah sayng gahsh / kohng gahsh)
Still water / Sparkling water.
Uma mesa para dois, por favor (Oo-mah meh-zah pah-rah doysh, por fah-vor)
A table for two, please.
Queria um café (Kuh-ree-ah oong kah-feh)
I would like a coffee (The colloquial way to order an espresso).
Asking for Directions
Looking for directions to a hotel, or can't find your way around a park? These phrases will be helpful.
Onde fica...? (On-deh fee-kah...?)
Where is...?
A estação de trem (Ah es-tah-sow de trem)
The train station
O aeroporto (O ah-eh-ro-por-to)
The airport
A paragem de autocarro (Ah pah-rah-zheng de ow-toh-kah-roo)
The bus stop.
Direita (Dee-ray-tah)
Right
Esquerda (Es-ker-dah)
Left
Sempre em frente. (Sem-preh eng fren-teh)
Straight ahead.
Quanto tempo leva para chegar a...? (Kwan-to temp-o leh-vah pah-rah she-gar ah...?)
How long does it take to get to...?
É perto ou é longe? (Eh per-too oh eh lon-zheh?)
Is it near or is it far?
Emergencies
It's always good to be prepared for unexpected situations. These phrases will help you get assistance if needed.
Ajuda! (Ah-zhoo-dah!)
Help!
Chame a polícia por favor (Sha-meh ah poh-lee-see-ah!)
Call the police please.
Não encontro meu passaporte. (Now en-kon-tro meh-oo pah-sah-por-chee)
I can't find my passport.
Estou perdido/a. (Ehs-toh per-dee-doo/ah)
I am lost.
Preciso de um médico (Preh-see-zoo de oong meh-dee-koo)
I need a doctor.
Sou turista e não falo bem português. (Soh too-reesh-tah ee naw fah-loo bayng poor-too-gezh)
I am a tourist and I don't speak Portuguese well.
Preciso de um tradutor ou alguém que fale inglês. (Preh-see-zoo deh oong trah-doo-tor oh al-gayng keh fah-leh een-glezh)
I need a translator or someone who speaks English.
Prefiro falar em inglês, se possível. (Preh-fee-roo fah-lar ayng een-glezh, seh poo-see-vel)
I prefer to speak in English, if possible.
It's important to note: Most police officers and medical staff in major Portuguese cities (Lisbon, Porto, Algarve) speak limited English. A good phrase to memorize is “Inglês, por favor?” (English, please) and one of the previously mentioned phrases. The PSP or GNR (Portuguese police and emergency staff) will usually get the right person to help you.
Shopping and Payments
Take home some of Portugal with you when you grab a souvenir for your friends and family!
Quanto custa? (Kwan-toh koos-tah?)
How much is it?
Eu gostaria de comprar... (Ew gohs-tah-ree-ah de kom-prar...)
I would like to buy...
Aceita cartão de crédito? (Ah-say-tah kar-tow de kre-dee-to?)
Do you accept credit cards?
Onde tem um caixa eletrônico? (On-deh tem oong kai-shah eh-leh-tro-nee-co?)
Where is an ATM?
É só para ver, obrigado/a (Eh soh pah-rah vehr, oh-bree-gah-doo/dah)
I'm just looking, thank you.
Queria um saco, por favor (Kuh-ree-ah oong sah-koo, por fah-vor)
I would like a bag, please.
