Travelling to Brazil? Learn olá (hello), bom dia (good morning), obrigado / obrigada (thank you), por favor (please), com licença (excuse me) and quanto custa? (how much does it cost?). These Brazilian Portuguese phrases help visitors order food, ask directions, check prices and manage simple conversations in Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Salvador, Brasília, Florianópolis and beyond.
Portuguese is Brazil’s official language, but Brazilian Portuguese differs from the European Portuguese used in Portugal. Pronunciation, everyday words and conversational style can vary between regions within Brazil too. This guide uses Brazilian vocabulary, including ônibus for bus, trem for train and banheiro for restroom. These are not the usual everyday equivalents in Portugal.
Quick read: Learn greetings, thank-you phrases and the price question. Save your full destination address and use an authorised taxi or rideshare service. Confirm the fare, route and pickup point; ask what food contains if you have dietary needs; and check local beach, weather and security advice. Brazil is large and regional conditions vary, so plan for the actual city and itinerary.
22 useful Brazilian Portuguese travel phrases
| Portuguese (Brazil) | Meaning | Use |
|---|---|---|
| Olá | Hello | Friendly greeting |
| Bom dia | Good morning | Morning greeting |
| Boa tarde | Good afternoon | Afternoon greeting |
| Boa noite | Good evening / good night | Evening greeting |
| Por favor | Please | Polite request |
| Obrigado (man) / Obrigada (woman) | Thank you | Thank someone |
| De nada | You’re welcome | Respond to thanks |
| Com licença | Excuse me | Get attention or pass politely |
| Desculpe | Sorry | Apologise |
| Sim / Não | Yes / no | Confirm or decline |
| Onde fica…? | Where is…? | Ask for a place |
| Quanto custa? | How much does it cost? | Ask a price |
| Eu gostaria de… | I would like… | Make a polite request |
| Não entendi | I didn’t understand | Clarify confusion |
| Você fala inglês? | Do you speak English? | Ask whether English is possible |
| Pode falar mais devagar? | Can you speak more slowly? | Ask for slower speech |
| Banheiro | Restroom / bathroom | Find facilities |
| Ônibus | Bus | Public transport |
| Trem | Train | Rail transport |
| A conta, por favor | The bill, please | Pay at a restaurant |
| Água sem gás / com gás | Still / sparkling water | Order water |
| Ajuda! | Help! | Request help |
Brazilian Portuguese is not the same as European Portuguese
If you learned Portuguese for Portugal, some Brazilian words may look unfamiliar. In Brazil, a bus is usually ônibus, while in Portugal it is autocarro. A train is trem in Brazil and comboio in Portugal. A restroom is usually banheiro in Brazil and casa de banho in Portugal. The written language is closely related, but the everyday vocabulary and pronunciation can differ.
Brazil is large, and accents vary from one region to another. Someone in Rio may sound different from someone in Recife, Porto Alegre or Manaus. Keep the written phrase visible, listen carefully and do not assume that one regional pronunciation represents the entire country.
Getting around: ônibus, metrô, trem and aplicativo
Useful transport words include ônibus (bus), metrô (metro), trem (train), estação (station), ponto de ônibus (bus stop) and bilhete or passagem (ticket, according to context). Local systems differ between cities, so check the official transport operator for fares, routes, payment methods and service hours.
For a taxi or app-based ride, use onde fica…? or show the exact address. Confirm the car, driver, registration and pickup point through the official app or taxi service. Avoid accepting unsolicited rides from people approaching you at airports, bus terminals or attractions. Agree on the fare basis where relevant and check whether tolls or extra charges apply.
- Save the hotel’s full address and a map pin before leaving the airport.
- Confirm the correct terminal, station or bus terminal.
- Check the driver and vehicle details in the app before boarding.
- Keep your phone, documents and valuables secure in busy areas.
- Use official transport information for routes and fares.
At the restaurant: order, ingredients and the bill
Use eu gostaria de… to say ‘I would like…’. A conta, por favor asks for the bill. If you want still water, say água sem gás; sparkling water is água com gás. Ask what a dish contains if the menu description is unfamiliar. Regional Brazilian food is diverse, and the same dish name may be prepared differently from one place to another.
For allergies, name the exact ingredient and explain the seriousness of the restriction. Prepare a clear Portuguese-language card that includes cross-contact concerns where necessary. Do not assume that a dish is safe because its name or photograph looks suitable. Ask the restaurant to confirm with the kitchen; if they cannot, choose another option.
Beach and outdoor vocabulary
Brazil’s beaches, forests and outdoor destinations require attention to local conditions. Useful words include praia (beach), mar (sea), onda (wave), correnteza (current), salva-vidas (lifeguard) and perigo (danger). Follow local flags and lifeguard instructions. A beach that looks calm may still have strong currents or changing surf.
In natural areas, follow marked trails and local conservation rules. Do not approach wildlife or enter restricted areas for photographs. Weather, heat, rainfall and river conditions can change rapidly in different regions. Check the advice for the actual park or activity, and carry water and suitable protection.
Money, prices and everyday exchanges
Brazil’s currency is the real (plural: reais), written R$. Use quanto custa? to ask a price and confirm the amount, unit and total before paying. A price may be per person, item, portion or service. Check the payment terminal or receipt and understand any additional charges.
You may encounter Pix, Brazil’s instant payment system, in local transactions. Visitors should not assume that they can use it without an eligible account or provider. Ask which payment methods are accepted and have a practical alternative. Do not scan an unfamiliar payment QR code without confirming the merchant and amount.
A five-day Brazilian Portuguese practice plan
- Day 1: practise olá, bom dia, obrigado/obrigada and com licença.
- Day 2: learn ônibus, metrô, trem, estação and ponto de ônibus.
- Day 3: save your hotel address and practise onde fica…? and quanto custa?
- Day 4: rehearse ordering food, asking about ingredients and requesting a conta.
- Day 5: prepare a beach or outdoor visit by checking local warnings and learning the relevant safety words.
Frequently asked questions
Should I learn Portuguese for Brazil or Portugal?
Learn Brazilian Portuguese for Brazil. The languages are closely related, but some common words and pronunciation differ.
What is the Brazilian word for bus?
Ônibus. In Portugal, the common word is autocarro.
What is the Brazilian word for restroom?
Banheiro is a common everyday word.
What currency does Brazil use?
The Brazilian real, plural reais, with the symbol R$.
Can I use English throughout Brazil?
English may be available in some hotels and tourist services, but it is not guaranteed in every city or everyday interaction. A few Portuguese phrases and a written address are helpful.
Continue exploring Brazil
Read Brazil rubber-tapping heritage vocabulary for a specialist cultural topic and the world travel vocabulary city directory for place-based vocabulary. These pages complement this practical Brazilian Portuguese guide.
Official references
- Visit Brasil — official destination and travel information.
- Brazil Ministry of Tourism — official tourism information.
- Brazil government emergency information — public emergency-service information; check current local contacts.
Language note: This guide uses Brazilian Portuguese. Pronunciation and word choice differ by region. Check current entry requirements, transport, safety and health advice with the relevant official sources before travel. Editorial review: 3 November 2026.