6 Basic Portuguese Phrases for Surviving Most Any Situation

With approximately 215 to 220 million native speakers and 50 million second-language speakers, Portuguese has approximately 270 million total speakers. It is a Romance language originating in the Iberian Peninsula of Europe. It is the sole official language of Portugal, Angola, Mozambique, Guinea-Bissau, Cape Verde, São Tomé and Príncipe, and Brazil, while having co-official language status in East Timor, Equatorial Guinea, and Macau. Portuguese is usually listed as the sixth-most spoken language and the third-most spoken European language in the world in terms of native speakers.

Good morning – Bom dia 

It is extremely pleasant to wish someone a good morning. It is also a great way of starting a new conversation early morning with someone. Use this to start a conversation in the morning hours with anyone. 

I’m pleased to meet you –  Muito prazer em conhecê-lo  

When you meet someone new, it’s always nice to let them know you enjoy their company. On the other hand, sometimes starting a conversation with new people can be rather tough. In any case, you can use this phrase to compliment someone and break the ice. 

Goodbye –  Adeus 

Let’s say you start a nice conversation with someone, you even complimented their company, but now it’s time for you to end the conversation. You obviously can’t just walk away. Instead, you’d politely say goodbye and continue on with your day. Use this to do so in Portuguese. 

Please – Por favor! 

Let’s say you need a tiny favour, or require someone’s urgent help. In any case, you simply cannot demand the same. You cannot expect someone to help you at any given moment. Therefore, you should be as polite and nice about it as possible. To do the same, you should always accompany your request with a ‘please’.  

I’m sorry – Desculpe  

Let’s all hope you never actually have to use this. To be honest, it is okay to make mistakes. As long as you understand them and own up to them. But do remember, politeness is the key. Therefore, if you make a mistake, apologize. Use this phrase to do the same. 

Excuse Me – Com licença! 

As mentioned previously, politeness is the key. You could possibly need help or simply require someones’ undivided attention over a pressing matter. Either way, you should acquire someone’s attention as politely as possible. Therefore, use this to catch someone’s attention. 

Being the most widely spoken language in South America and all of the Southern Hemisphere, it is also the second-most spoken language, after Spanish, in Latin America, one of the 10 most spoken languages in Africa, and is an official language of the European Union, Mercosur, the Organization of American States, the Economic Community of West African States, the African Union, and the Community of Portuguese Language Countries, an international organization made up of all of the world’s officially Lusophone nations.

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