A Short Portuguese Language Course for Tourists
A trip to Portugal offers many attractions: beautiful beaches, delicious cuisine, and rich history. However, to fully enjoy your stay, it’s worth learning at least the basics of the Portuguese language. Even a few phrases and expressions can make communication with locals easier and make your trip more rewarding. In this short Portuguese language course for tourists, we’ll cover essential phrases to help you during your visit to Portugal.
Table of Contents
- Basic Courtesy Phrases
- Useful Phrases for Shops and Restaurants
- Numbers
- Questions
- Tips for Learning Portuguese
Basic Courtesy Phrases
Learning a few basic courtesy phrases is a great way to start a conversation with the Portuguese. Here are some useful expressions:
- Bom dia: Good morning
- Boa tarde: Good afternoon
- Boa noite: Good evening
- Olá: Hello
- Adeus: Goodbye
- Obrigado/Obrigada: Thank you (man/woman)
- Por favor: Please
- Desculpe: Sorry
- Com licença: Excuse me (when you want to pass by)
- De nada: You’re welcome
Useful Phrases for Shops and Restaurants
When shopping or dining at restaurants, knowing a few key phrases can be very helpful. Here are some phrases to use:
- Quanto custa isto?: How much does this cost?
- Gostaria de…: I would like… (e.g., Gostaria de um café, por favor – I would like a coffee, please)
- Tem…?: Do you have…? (e.g., Tem Wi-Fi aqui? – Do you have Wi-Fi here?)
- Posso pagar com cartão?: Can I pay by card?
- A conta, por favor: The bill, please
Numbers
Knowing basic numbers is useful in many situations, such as shopping or bargaining. Here are some key numbers in Portuguese:
- Um: One
- Dois: Two
- Três: Three
- Quatro: Four
- Cinco: Five
- Seis: Six
- Sete: Seven
- Oito: Eight
- Nove: Nine
- Dez: Ten
Questions
Learning a few basic questions can help you communicate better with locals. Here are some useful questions:
- Onde fica…?: Where is…? (e.g., Onde fica o banheiro? – Where is the bathroom?)
- Como se chama?: What is your name?
- Como se diz…?: How do you say…? (e.g., Como se diz “obrigado” em português? – How do you say “thank you” in Portuguese?)
- Fala inglês?: Do you speak English?
- Não entendo: I don’t understand
Tips for Learning Portuguese
Learning a new language might seem challenging, but there are many ways to make it easier. Here are a few tips:
- Start with basic phrases and expressions.
- Practice regularly, even for just a few minutes a day.
- Listen to Portuguese music and watch Portuguese films and TV shows.
- Find a language partner to practice speaking.
- Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Everyone makes mistakes when learning a new language.
Learning Portuguese can be a lot of fun and will definitely enrich your travel experience in Portugal.
Even knowing a few basic phrases and expressions in Portuguese can make communication with locals much easier and make your trip more enjoyable.
Remember that the Portuguese are usually very friendly and eager to help tourists. Don’t hesitate to start a conversation and try speaking Portuguese. Even if you make mistakes, you’ll certainly be welcomed warmly.
Additional Tips:
- There are many free online resources that can help you learn Portuguese, such as Duolingo, Memrise, and Babbel.
- You can also buy a Portuguese language textbook or enroll in a language course.
- Many Portuguese cities have language schools offering courses for tourists.
Learning Portuguese is a great way to get to know the culture and history of Portugal. The effort you put into learning the language will definitely be rewarded during your travels.
