First Words

Being able to understand and use common Portuguese words and phrases is the first step in mastering the language. In this lesson, we'll start with the most essential words in Portuguese.

Watch the video to learn about the activity’s topic.

Olá - Hi, hello

Start your day on the right foot by greeting people with a warm ‘olá’ (hi or hello).

Greetings for Every Time of Day

Greetings in Portuguese vary according to the moment of the day.

🌞 Bom dia - Good morning‘Bom dia’ literally means ’Good day,’ but we use it to say ‘Good morning’ when we arrive and also to say farewell as in ‘Have a good day.’ To greet back, we simply repeat the expression.

🌇 Boa tarde - Good afternoonWe can use it from 12 pm until around 7 pm. It's not only a greeting but also a way to wish someone a pleasant afternoon. Use it whether you're saying hello or goodbye. To greet back, simply repeat the expression ‘Boa tarde.’

🌜 Boa noite - Good evening, GoodnightIn Portuguese, the expression ‘Boa noite’ serves a dual purpose.

If it's late afternoon or evening, saying ‘Boa noite’ is like wishing someone a ‘Good evening.’ When it's time to sleep or to say goodbye to someone, ‘Boa noite’ means ‘Good night.’

😉 Pronunciation hack: Don't get tricked by the letter 'm' at the end of Portuguese words. When it's the last letter, it tells you to make the previous vowel sound a bit nasal.

For example, in the word 'bom,' there's no 'm' sound at the end. To say it right, think of saying 'bongo,' but stop right before the 'g:' Bongo.

Give it a try!

Time to leave

Tchau - Bye

‘Tchau’ is a casual and friendly way to say goodbye to someone in Portuguese. It's equivalent to ‘bye’ in English.

Adeus - Goodbye

’Adeus’ is a more formal and heartfelt way to say goodbye. It's similar to saying "farewell" in English and is often used in more serious or emotional situations.

Obrigada / Obrigado - Thank you

The way to say ‘thank you’ in Portuguese changes depending on your gender. This is because the word literally means ‘obliged’ and adjectives need to match the gender of the things or people they describe. Many masculine words end in -o while feminine words often end in -a.

• If you're a female, say ‘obrigada.’
• If you're a male, say ‘obrigado.’

Desculpe / Desculpa - Excuse me, I’m sorry

In Portuguese, ‘Desculpe’ and ‘Desculpa’ both express the idea of ‘excuse me’ or ‘I'm sorry.’ However, they differ in formality and context:

• ‘Desculpe’ is the more formal way to apologise. You would use it in situations that require respect and seriousness, such as professional settings or addressing someone you don't know very well. You can also use it to approach someone to ask something, the same way ‘excuse me’ is used in English.
• ‘Desculpa’ is the informal and friendly version of the same word. It's perfect for interactions with friends, family, or people you have a close relationship with.

Por favor - Please

Literally meaning ‘by favour’ or ‘for favour,’ the expression ‘por favor’ serves as a polite request or an act of politeness when asking for something, making a request, or seeking assistance. It's used in a variety of contexts, whether it's asking for a favour, ordering in a restaurant, requesting information, or seeking help.

Sim - Yes / Não - No

In Portuguese, the words ‘sim’ and ‘não’ are simple yet powerful expressions.

‘Sim’ means ‘yes.’ Whether you're confirming a question or expressing approval, ‘sim’ is your go-to word.

‘Não’ means ‘no.’ It is a straightforward way to express your dissent or decline.