Are you planning a trip to Portugal soon, and want to familiarize yourself with the language? Discover our selection of phrases and expressions for speaking Portuguese!
It’s always nice (for you as much as for the locals) to know a few words in the language of the country you’re visiting… But in addition to the indispensable phrases of politeness, we’d like you to learn a few key, typical expressions, an indispensable addition to any vocabulary. You won’t find them in books, but you’ll hear them everywhere in the streets!
1. Basic expressions
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– Bom dia / Boa noite »: Good morning / Good evening
– Olà »: Hello
– Bem-vindo »: Welcome
– Prazer em conhecê-lo- » : How do you do?
– Como vai voce »: How are you?
– Muito bem, obrigado, e você? »: Very well, thank you, and you?
– Cual o seu nome »: What is your name?
– Me chamo… »: My name is…
– Eu sou francês(a) »: I am French.
– Sim / Não »: Yes / No
– Por favor »: Please.
– Obrigado/a »: Thank you
– De nada / E um prazer »: You’re welcome / I beg you
– Com licença / Desculpe »: Excuse me
– Você fala francês/inglês »: Do you speak French/English?
– Eu compreendo / Eu não compreendo »: I understand / I don’t understand
– Onde fica…? / Como ir para/até…? »: Where is / How do I get there?
– Esquerda / Direita »: Left / Right
– Quanto custa? »: How much does it cost?
2. Tirar o cavalinho da chuva
This popular Portuguese expression means to give up something, abandon one’s pretensions, lose one’s illusions. Literally, it means « to take the little horse out of the rain ». When someone uses this phrase, it means they don’t have to wait for something to happen.
Example:
« Se está pensando que eu vou arrumar o seu quarto, pode tirar o cavalinho da chuva! »
If you think I’m going to clean your room, you can get the horse out of the rain!
3. Boa como o milho
If you’re a girl and someone says that to you on the street, it’s a pretty blunt and not very classy way of telling you that you’re pretty… Originally, this phrase was used to draw an analogy between corn and something (or someone) very good, good or beautiful.
Example:
« Essa piscina é boa como milho »: « This pool is as good as corn. »
« Você viu aquela garota? Ela é boa como milho »: Have you seen this girl? She’s as good as corn… charming!
4. Com um pé nas costas
In Brazil, this expression is used to mean that you’re going to do or succeed at something very easily, or to designate a very easy task, which might be hindered by putting your foot in your back, and even then, the task would be done easily. Basically, it’s our own « fingers in the nose ». Example:
« Vou ganhar este jogo com um pé nas costas »: I’m going to win this match with one foot behind my back.
5. Dar água pela barba
This expression is used when a person has a lot of work to do and is struggling to get by. In France, we use « avoir du pain sur la planche » or the closest we come to it, « je suis sous l’eau ». The Portuguese have water up to their beards.
Example:
– « Você quer vir conosco hoje? »: Do you want to come with us today?
– « Não, desculpe, eu tenho água até a barba! » No, sorry, I’ve got water up to my beard!
6. Vai pentear macacos
Combing monkeys is a popular expression in the Portuguese language, used in Brazil. The phrase « Go comb monkeys » is used to chase away someone who is annoying or disruptive. Basically, it’s their way of saying « go to hell ».
Example:
« O que é que você ainda está fazendo aqui? Vai pentear macaco! »: What are you still doing here? Go comb the monkey! »
7. Agora é que a porca torce o rabo
Literally, this phrase means « Now the sow is wringing her tail ». It’s an expression used to designate a difficult situation, usually the time to make an important decision. It’s also used as a statement of fact, meaning that things are about to get tough.
Example:
« Está na hora de fechar o negócio, agora é que a porca torce o rabo. » It’s time to close the deal, now the sow is wringing her tail.
8. Ter o cú virado prá lua
For our Brazilian friends, it’s like us when we say « to have the ass bordered of noodles ». Here, it’s not about pasta, it’s about the moon!
Example:
« Ele ganhou de novo, sua o cú virado prá lua »: He’s won again, his ass is turned towards the moon.
How can I learn other expressions and vocabulary in Portuguese?
Before you set off on your trip to Portugal or Brazil (again, Brazilian Portuguese differs from Portuguese), it might be useful for you to assimilate a few regularly recurring expressions and phrases. To do so, we suggest you take a look at the list of phrase books below:
– 1001 Phrases to Speak Portuguese Well
– Larousse pocket dictionary plus Portuguese
– French-Portuguese conversation guide
– E canja! It’s chicken broth! A Thousand and One Expressions and Ways of Saying to Learn Portuguese