European Portuguese is spoken in Portugal and across several Lusophone countries. From Lisbon to Porto, from Madeira to the Azores: with this kit, you have the bare minimum to get by in Portugal and to recognize the European variant, distinct from Brazilian Portuguese.
Portuguese is the official language of nine countries across four continents: Portugal, Brazil, Angola, Mozambique, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Sao Tome and Principe, East Timor and Macau. The European variant, spoken in Portugal and several Lusophone African countries, differs noticeably from Brazilian Portuguese in pronunciation and some vocabulary. A French speaker arriving in Lisbon or Porto encounters a language whose spelling resembles Spanish but whose rhythm is firmer: unstressed vowels fade, final consonants hiss, the word-final "s" becomes a soft "sh". This is the famous impression that Portuguese people "swallow vowels". In terms of vocabulary, a few words differ from Brazilian: "comboio" for train (instead of "trem"), "casa de banho" for toilet (instead of "banheiro"), "ementa" for menu (instead of "cardapio"). Portuguese culture is recognizable through its standing-counter coffee, its small family restaurants where the "couvert" is paid for what you eat, Lisbon's fado, the blue azulejo on facades, and that untranslatable word saudade. This kit gathers the bare essentials to handle an airport arrival, a taxi ride, a restaurant order, a medical emergency and a smooth departure. You will find indispensable greetings, survival phrases for orientation, key words for eating and sleeping, as well as cultural tips to avoid faux pas. Memorize these expressions before leaving and you will gain confidence from the very first hours on site.
Here is how these phrases play out in real life. Each scene sets the stage and gathers the useful expressions.
You land in Lisbon in the early evening. The arrivals hall is calm and you are looking for the taxi exit. An agent meets your gaze, you greet him and ask for directions.
The taxi driver loads your suitcase and asks for your destination. You give him the hotel address, you want to check the price before leaving, then you will ask him to stop right in front of the entrance.
You enter a typical tasca in the early evening. The waiter seats you and hands you the menu. You hesitate over the daily special and ask for advice before ordering water and the bill.
You feel sick after a meal and you need help quickly. You ask where the nearest hospital is and you mention that you are allergic to certain foods.
On the morning of departure, you want to confirm check-out time at the reception, then catch a taxi to the airport. Before leaving, you warmly say goodbye to the hotel staff.
What you need to know before travelling to a portuguese-speaking country.
In Portugal, formal address is more pronounced than in Brazil. Use "voce" carefully: with older strangers, prefer "o senhor" or "a senhora" to remain polite.
Meal times run later than in northern Europe: lunch around 1pm, dinner rarely before 8pm. Restaurants often close in the afternoon between services.
Coffee is a daily ritual. Asking for "uma bica" in Lisbon (or "um cimbalino" in Porto) gets you an espresso. Drinking coffee at the counter costs less than at a table.
Tipping is not mandatory but appreciated: rounding up or leaving five to ten percent at restaurants is enough. No tip at the cafe for a simple espresso.
Saudade is an untranslatable word expressing bittersweet nostalgia. This feeling permeates fado, Lisbon's traditional music, and much of Portuguese literature.
European Portuguese swallows many unstressed vowels: "telefone" sounds like "tlefon". This can surprise French speakers used to the more sing-song and open Brazilian Portuguese.
In restaurants, the "couvert" (bread, olives, cheese set on the table on arrival) is paid: if you don't touch it, you won't be charged. Always check the bill.
Portuguese people are punctual for business appointments but more relaxed for social occasions. Fifteen minutes late to a dinner with friends is generally tolerated.
Preview. The full glossary (30 words) and all the phrases are in the PDF.
Sim
seeng
Yes
Nao
naong
No
Obrigado/a
o-bri-GA-dou/da
Thank you
De nada
de NA-da
You're welcome
Desculpe
desh-KOOL-pe
Sorry
Agua
A-gwa
Water
Comida
ko-MEE-da
Food
Hotel
oh-TEL
Hotel
Aeroporto
a-eh-ro-POR-tou
Airport
Hospital
osh-pi-TAL
Hospital
A hundred words, thirty key phrases, as a printable PDF. Instant download, also sent by e-mail.
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Every translation is cross-checked against at least two concordant sources among the references below.
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