Learning Portuguese: a practical guide
This is a written companion to the free Portuguese course on LanguagePath: what the language is like, how it sounds, the phrases you will use first, how the course is structured, and what to watch out for. Everything here comes from the same lessons you can practise interactively above.
What Portuguese is like
Portuguese is a Romance language — if you know Italian, you already have a running start (água≈acqua, pão≈pane, cem≈cento). Nouns are masculine (o) or feminine (a), and adjectives and 'my/your' agree with them. Verbs conjugate; for travel, 'Queria…' (I'd like) and 'Tem…?' (do you have) get you a long way.
Words you may already know
Pronunciation notes
European Portuguese has nasal vowels and swallows some sounds — copy the audio. Much of it will feel familiar from Italian.
- ã / õ — nasal vowels — say them through the nose, as in pão (bread) = powng.
- ão — a nasal 'owng', as in não (no) = nowng.
- lh — like 'lli' in million, as in toalha (towel).
- nh — like 'ny' in canyon, as in banho (bath) = BAH-nyoo.
- ç / c(e,i) — a soft 's', as in praça (square).
- s (end) — at word-end sounds like 'sh' in EP, as in dois (two) = doysh.
- r / rr — a strong, throaty r (like French), as in carro (car).
- vowels — European Portuguese swallows unstressed vowels, as in telefone ≈ t'lefon.
First phrases
The pocket phrases below are the ones learners reach for most often. Say each one out loud a few times before moving on.
| Portuguese | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Onde é…? | ON-duh eh | where is…? |
| à direita | ah dee-RAY-tah | right |
| o aeroporto | oo ah-eh-roo-POR-too | airport |
| Não percebo | nowng per-SEH-boo | I don't understand |
| a polícia | ah poo-LEE-see-ah | police |
How the Portuguese course is structured
The course has 31 short lessons that build on each other. Each one introduces a few new pieces and then asks you to construct sentences you have never seen, before revealing the answer:
- Greetings — Olá · Obrigado · Bom dia
- I'd like" Queria — Queria · água · Quanto custa
- Numbers — um to dez
- Food — a ementa · a conta
- Getting around — Onde é · esquerda/direita
- I have / there is" — tenho · há · tem…?
- Talking about the past — fui · comi · vi
- Mine & yours — o meu · o seu
- Time & when — hoje · agora · Que horas são?
- The question words — o que · quem · porquê · como
- Where things are — em/no · aqui · perto
- Need & can — Preciso de · Posso · Pode
- Because, but & joining ideas — porque · mas · também
- Shopping & bargaining — comprar · muito caro · barato
- Help & emergencies — Socorro · médico · polícia
- Family & people — família · esposa · filhos
- Colours & describing — cor · vermelho · grande/pequeno
- At the restaurant — a ementa · a conta
- Days, dates & months — os dias · os meses
- Weather & small talk — o tempo · tudo bem?
- Transport & tickets — o comboio · o bilhete
- Money & prices — o dinheiro · o troco
- Hotel & booking — um quarto · a chave
- Phone, internet & staying in touch — o wi-fi · a palavra-passe
- How I feel — feliz · cansado
- Everyday verbs & routines — levanto-me · todos os dias
- Feeling ill / at the doctor — dói-me · o médico
- Countries, nationalities & languages — de onde é? · falo
- Making plans & suggestions — vamos…? · combinado
- Politeness & survival — desculpe · pode ajudar-me?
- Final scene — put it all together — a capstone scene: no new words, just everything you've built
Inside the lessons
Here is how a few of the lessons explain the language, with worked examples and the word-by-word breakdown the course uses.
I have / there is"
Key pieces: tenho · há · tem…?
'I have' is tenho; 'there is/are' is há; 'do you have…?' is Tem…?
To say “I have a reservation (reserva)” in Portuguese: Tenho uma reserva (TEH-nyoo OO-mah ruh-ZEHR-vuh). Built from tenho = I have; uma reserva = a reservation.
To say “Do you have water?” in Portuguese: Tem água? (teng AH-gwah). Built from Tem = do you have; água = water.
'Is there…?' also uses há: Há wi-fi?
To say “Is there wi-fi?” in Portuguese: Há wi-fi? (ah wee-fee). Built from há = is there.
To say “I don't have time (tempo)” in Portuguese: Não tenho tempo (nowng TEH-nyoo TEM-poo). Built from não tenho = I don't have; tempo = time.
Talking about the past
Key pieces: fui · comi · vi
The simple past (like Italian's passato remoto for these): fui = I went, comi = I ate, vi = I saw.
To say “I went” in Portuguese: Fui (fwee). Built from fui = I went.
To say “I ate” in Portuguese: Comi (koo-MEE). Built from comi = I ate. ≈ mangiai / ho mangiato.
To say “I saw” in Portuguese: Vi (vee). Built from vi = I saw.
Add a place with ao/à (to the).
To say “I went to the hotel” in Portuguese: Fui ao hotel (fwee ow oh-TEL). Built from fui = I went; ao = to the; hotel = hotel.
Mine & yours
Key pieces: o meu · o seu
'My' is o meu / a minha (matching the noun); 'your' (polite) is o seu / a sua.
To say “my name” in Portuguese: o meu nome (oo MEH-oo NOH-muh). Built from o meu = my; nome = name. ≈ il mio nome.
To say “This is my bag (mala)” in Portuguese: Esta é a minha mala (ESH-tah eh ah MEE-nyah MAH-lah). Built from esta é = this is; a minha = my (f); mala = bag.
To say “your passport (passaporte)” in Portuguese: o seu passaporte (oo SEH-oo pah-sah-POR-tuh). Built from o seu = your; passaporte = passport.
'My name is…' is also Chamo-me… (I call myself…).
To say “My name is Alex” in Portuguese: Chamo-me Alex (SHAH-moo-muh Alex). Built from chamo-me = I'm called.
Time & when
Key pieces: hoje · agora · Que horas são?
Time words (very Italian!): hoje hoje today, amanhã amanhã tomorrow, ontem ontem yesterday, agora agora now.
- hoje (OZH) — today
- amanhã (ah-mah-NYAH) — tomorrow
- agora (ah-GOH-rah) — now
To say “today” in Portuguese: hoje (OZH). Built from hoje = today.
To say “now” in Portuguese: agora (ah-GOH-rah). Built from agora = now. ≈ ora (Italian).
'What time is it?' is Que horas são?
To say “What time is it?” in Portuguese: Que horas são? (kuh OH-rahsh sowng). Built from que horas = what hours; são = are.
To say “tomorrow” in Portuguese: amanhã (ah-mah-NYAH). Built from amanhã = tomorrow.
Where things are
Key pieces: em/no · aqui · perto
'in/at the' is no/na. Estou no hotel = I'm at the hotel. aqui here, ali there, perto near.
To say “I'm at the hotel” in Portuguese: Estou no hotel (shtoh noo oh-TEL). Built from estou = I am; no = in the; hotel = hotel.
To say “here” in Portuguese: aqui (ah-KEE). Built from aqui = here.
To say “The toilet is here” in Portuguese: A casa de banho é aqui (ah KAH-zah duh BAH-nyoo eh ah-KEE). Built from casa de banho = toilet; é aqui = is here.
To say “Is there a bank nearby?” in Portuguese: Há um banco aqui perto? (ah oong BAN-koo ah-kee PER-too). Built from há = is there; banco = bank; aqui perto = nearby.
Need & can
Key pieces: Preciso de · Posso · Pode
'I need' is Preciso de…; 'can I…?' is Posso…?; 'can you…?' is Pode…?
To say “I need help (ajuda)” in Portuguese: Preciso de ajuda (pruh-SEE-zoo duh ah-ZHOO-dah). Built from preciso de = I need; ajuda = help.
To say “I need a doctor” in Portuguese: Preciso de um médico (pruh-SEE-zoo duh oong MEH-dee-koo). Built from preciso de = I need; médico = doctor.
To say “Can I sit here?” in Portuguese: Posso sentar-me aqui? (POH-soo sen-TAR-muh ah-kee). Built from posso = can I; sentar-me = sit; aqui = here.
To say “Can you help me?” in Portuguese: Pode ajudar-me? (POH-duh ah-zhoo-DAR-muh). Built from pode = can you; ajudar-me = help me.
Shopping & bargaining
Key pieces: comprar · muito caro · barato
'To buy' is comprar. 'Too expensive' is muito caro; 'cheaper' is mais barato.
To say “I'd like to buy this” in Portuguese: Queria comprar isto (kuh-REE-uh kong-PRAR EESH-too). Built from Queria = I'd like; comprar = to buy; isto = this.
To say “Too expensive” in Portuguese: Muito caro (MOOEE-too KAH-roo). Built from muito = very; caro = expensive.
To say “Is there a cheaper one?” in Portuguese: Há mais barato? (ah mah-eesh bah-RAH-too). Built from há = is there; mais barato = cheaper.
To say “I'll take this one” in Portuguese: Levo este (LEH-voo ESH-tuh). Built from levo = I take; este = this one.
Help & emergencies
Key pieces: Socorro · médico · polícia
Socorro! help!, médico doctor, hospital, polícia police.
To say “Help, please!” in Portuguese: Socorro, por favor! (soo-KOH-rroo poor fah-VOR). Built from Socorro = help; por favor = please.
To say “I'm sick” in Portuguese: Estou doente (shtoh doo-EN-tuh). Built from estou = I am; doente = sick.
To say “Call a doctor” in Portuguese: Chame um médico (SHAH-muh oong MEH-dee-koo). Built from chame = call; médico = doctor.
To say “Where is the hospital?” in Portuguese: Onde é o hospital? (ON-duh eh oo osh-pee-TAL). Built from onde é = where is; o hospital.
Colours & describing
Key pieces: cor · vermelho · grande/pequeno
cor colour. vermelho red, azul blue, branco white, preto black.
- vermelho (ver-MEH-lyoo) — red
- azul (ah-ZOOL) — blue
- branco (BRAN-koo) — white
To say “red” in Portuguese: vermelho (ver-MEH-lyoo). Built from vermelho = red.
To say “big” in Portuguese: grande (GRAN-duh). Built from grande = big. ≈ grande (Italian).
To say “small” in Portuguese: pequeno (puh-KAY-noo). Built from pequeno = small. ≈ piccolo.
To say “very beautiful” in Portuguese: muito bonito (MOOEE-too boo-NEE-too). Built from muito = very; bonito = beautiful.
To compare: maior = bigger, o maior = the biggest, que = than.
- maior (mah-YOR) — bigger
- o maior (oo mah-YOR) — the biggest
- que (keh) — than
Days, dates & months
Key pieces: os dias · os meses
Weekdays in Portuguese are counted: Monday is segunda-feira (second), Tuesday terça-feira, and so on.
- hoje (OH-zheh) — today Memory hook: ≈ oggi (Italian).
- amanhã (ah-mah-NYANG) — tomorrow Memory hook: ≈ mañana (Spanish).
- ontem (ON-teng) — yesterday
- o fim de semana (oo feeng deh seh-MAH-nah) — the weekend Memory hook: lit. 'end of week'.
- o mês (oo mesh) — the month Memory hook: ≈ mese (Italian).
- janeiro (zhah-NAY-roo) — January Memory hook: ≈ January (English).
- segunda-feira (seh-GOON-dah FAY-rah) — Monday Memory hook: lit. 'second weekday'.
- sábado (SAH-bah-doo) — Saturday Memory hook: ≈ sabato (Italian).
- domingo (doo-MEENG-goo) — Sunday Memory hook: ≈ domenica (Italian).
To say “What day is today?” in Portuguese: Que dia é hoje? (keh DEE-ah eh OH-zheh). Built from que dia = what day; é = is; hoje = today.
To say “Tomorrow is Monday.” in Portuguese: Amanhã é segunda-feira. (ah-mah-NYANG eh seh-GOON-dah FAY-rah). Built from amanhã = tomorrow; é = is; segunda-feira = Monday.
To say “I arrive on Saturday.” in Portuguese: Chego no sábado. (SHEH-goo noo SAH-bah-doo). Built from chego = I arrive; no = on the; sábado = Saturday.
To say “My birthday is in January.” in Portuguese: O meu aniversário é em janeiro. (oo meh-oo ah-nee-ver-SAH-ryoo eh eng zhah-NAY-roo). Built from o meu aniversário = my birthday; é em = is in; janeiro = January. aniversário ≈ anniversary (English).
Phone, internet & staying in touch
Key pieces: o wi-fi · a palavra-passe
A mobile phone is o telemóvel, and the wi-fi password a palavra-passe.
- o telemóvel (oo teh-leh-MOH-vel) — the mobile phone Memory hook: tele ≈ tele- (English).
- o wi-fi (oo WY-fy) — the wi-fi Memory hook: ≈ wi-fi (English).
- a palavra-passe (ah pah-LAH-vrah PAH-seh) — the password Memory hook: lit. 'pass word'.
- ligar (lee-GAR) — to call / connect Memory hook: ≈ ligare (Italian, to bind).
- a mensagem (ah men-SAH-zheng) — the message Memory hook: ≈ message (English).
To ask for the wi-fi code: qual é a palavra-passe do wi-fi?
To say “What is the wi-fi password?” in Portuguese: Qual é a palavra-passe do wi-fi? (kwahl eh ah pah-LAH-vrah PAH-seh doo WY-fy). Built from qual é = what is; a palavra-passe = the password; do wi-fi = of the wi-fi.
To say “Is there wi-fi here?” in Portuguese: Há wi-fi aqui? (ah WY-fy ah-KEE). Built from há = there is; wi-fi = wi-fi; aqui = here.
To say “Can I call you tomorrow?” in Portuguese: Posso ligar-lhe amanhã? (POH-soo lee-GAR lyeh ah-mah-NYANG). Built from posso = I can; ligar-lhe = to call you; amanhã = tomorrow.
To say “I will send you a message.” in Portuguese: Vou enviar-lhe uma mensagem. (voh en-vee-AR lyeh OO-mah men-SAH-zheng). Built from vou = I will; enviar-lhe = send you; uma mensagem = a message.
How I feel
Key pieces: feliz · cansado
For feelings use estou (I am) or estou com (I am with): estou cansado, estou com fome.
- feliz (feh-LEESH) — happy Memory hook: ≈ felice (Italian).
- cansado (kan-SAH-doo) — tired Memory hook: ≈ cansado (Spanish).
- com fome (kong FOH-meh) — hungry Memory hook: lit. 'with hunger'; fome ≈ fame (Italian).
- com sede (kong SEH-deh) — thirsty Memory hook: lit. 'with thirst'; sede ≈ sete (Italian).
- triste (TREESH-teh) — sad Memory hook: ≈ triste (Italian).
Ask someone how they feel with como se sente?
To say “How do you feel?” in Portuguese: Como se sente? (KOH-moo seh SEN-teh). Built from como = how; se sente = do you feel.
To say “I am very happy today.” in Portuguese: Estou muito feliz hoje. (shtoh MWEENG-too feh-LEESH OH-zheh). Built from estou = I am; muito = very; feliz = happy; hoje = today.
To say “I am tired and hungry.” in Portuguese: Estou cansado e com fome. (shtoh kan-SAH-doo ee kong FOH-meh). Built from estou = I am; cansado = tired; e = and; com fome = hungry.
To say “Are you thirsty?” in Portuguese: Está com sede? (shtah kong SEH-deh). Built from está = are you; com sede = thirsty.
Everyday verbs & routines
Key pieces: levanto-me · todos os dias
Reflexive verbs attach the pronoun: levanto-me (I get up), deito-me (I go to bed).
- levanto-me (leh-VAN-too meh) — I get up Memory hook: levantar ≈ to lift.
- deito-me (DAY-too meh) — I go to bed Memory hook: deitar = to lay down.
- trabalho (trah-BAH-lyoo) — I work Memory hook: ≈ trabajo (Spanish).
- todos os dias (TOH-doosh oosh DEE-ahsh) — every day Memory hook: lit. 'all the days'.
- tomo (TOH-moo) — I take / have Memory hook: ≈ tomo (Spanish).
Chain your day with e depois — and then.
To say “I get up at seven every day.” in Portuguese: Levanto-me às sete todos os dias. (leh-VAN-too meh ahsh SEH-teh TOH-doosh oosh DEE-ahsh). Built from levanto-me = I get up; às sete = at seven; todos os dias = every day.
To say “I have breakfast and then I work.” in Portuguese: Tomo o pequeno-almoço e depois trabalho. (TOH-moo oo puh-KAY-noo ahl-MOH-soo ee deh-POYSH trah-BAH-lyoo). Built from tomo = I have; o pequeno-almoço = breakfast; e depois = and then; trabalho = I work.
To say “I work every day.” in Portuguese: Trabalho todos os dias. (trah-BAH-lyoo TOH-doosh oosh DEE-ahsh). Built from trabalho = I work; todos os dias = every day.
To say “I go to bed late.” in Portuguese: Deito-me tarde. (DAY-too meh TAR-deh). Built from deito-me = I go to bed; tarde = late. tarde ≈ tarde (Spanish, late).
Feeling ill / at the doctor
Key pieces: dói-me · o médico
To say something hurts use dói-me + the body part: dói-me a cabeça (my head hurts).
- estou doente (shtoh doo-EN-teh) — I am ill Memory hook: ≈ dolente (Italian, aching).
- a cabeça (ah kah-BEH-sah) — the head Memory hook: ≈ cabeza (Spanish).
- a barriga (ah bah-REE-gah) — the belly / stomach Memory hook: ≈ barriga (Spanish).
- o médico (oo MEH-dee-koo) — the doctor Memory hook: ≈ medico (Italian).
- a farmácia (ah far-MAH-syah) — the pharmacy Memory hook: ≈ farmacia (Italian).
To ask for help: preciso de um médico — I need a doctor.
To say “I am ill.” in Portuguese: Estou doente. (shtoh doo-EN-teh). Built from estou = I am; doente = ill.
To say “My head hurts.” in Portuguese: Dói-me a cabeça. (DOY meh ah kah-BEH-sah). Built from dói-me = hurts me; a cabeça = the head.
To say “My stomach hurts.” in Portuguese: Dói-me a barriga. (DOY meh ah bah-REE-gah). Built from dói-me = hurts me; a barriga = the belly.
To say “I need a doctor.” in Portuguese: Preciso de um médico. (pruh-SEE-zoo deh oong MEH-dee-koo). Built from preciso de = I need; um médico = a doctor.
Making plans & suggestions
Key pieces: vamos…? · combinado
Suggest with vamos…? (shall we…?) or queres…? (do you want…?).
- queres (KEH-resh) — do you want (informal) Memory hook: ≈ quieres (Spanish).
- vamos (VAH-moosh) — let's / shall we Memory hook: ≈ andiamo (Italian).
- apetece-te? (ah-peh-TEH-seh teh) — do you feel like? Memory hook: apetite ≈ appetite.
- encontrar-se (en-kon-TRAR seh) — to meet up Memory hook: ≈ encontrar (Spanish).
- combinado (kom-bee-NAH-doo) — agreed / it's a deal Memory hook: ≈ combined (English).
Seal a plan with combinado! — deal!
To say “Shall we have dinner tonight?” in Portuguese: Vamos jantar hoje à noite? (VAH-moosh zhan-TAR OH-zheh ah NOY-teh). Built from vamos = shall we; jantar = have dinner; hoje à noite = tonight.
To say “Do you want to go to the beach?” in Portuguese: Queres ir à praia? (KEH-resh eer ah PRY-ah). Built from queres = do you want; ir = to go; à praia = to the beach.
To say “Do you feel like a coffee?” in Portuguese: Apetece-te um café? (ah-peh-TEH-seh teh oong kah-FEH). Built from apetece-te = do you feel like; um café = a coffee.
To say “Where shall we meet?” in Portuguese: Onde nos encontramos? (ON-deh noosh en-kon-TRAH-moosh). Built from onde = where; nos encontramos = shall we meet.
Two more things that unlock real conversation: saying what you think, and putting plans in order. Acho que = I think that. Primeiro… depois… a seguir = first… then… next.
- acho que (AH-shoo keh) — I think that
- concordo (kon-KOR-doo) — I agree
- a sério? (ah SEH-ryoo) — really?
- eu também (EH-oo tam-BENG) — me too
- primeiro / depois / a seguir (pree-MAY-roo / deh-POYSH / ah seh-GEER) — first / then / next
Final scene — put it all together
Key pieces: a capstone scene: no new words, just everything you've built
This is where the method pays off. Every line below uses only words and patterns you've already met — build each one yourself before revealing.
To say “Hello! What's the weather like today?” in Portuguese: Olá! Que tempo faz hoje? (oh-LAH keh TEM-poo fahsh OH-zheh). Built from olá = hello; que tempo faz = what's the weather like; hoje = today.
To say “It's very hot. Shall we go to the restaurant?” in Portuguese: Está muito calor. Vamos ao restaurante? (shtah MOO-ee-too kah-LOR VAH-moosh ow resh-tow-RAHN-teh). Built from está muito calor = it's very hot; vamos ao restaurante = shall we go to the restaurant.
To say “I'd like a coffee and a tea, please.” in Portuguese: Queria um café e um chá, por favor. (kuh-REE-uh oong kah-FEH ee oong shah poor fah-VOR). Built from queria = I'd like; um café e um chá = a coffee and a tea; por favor = please.
To say “This is very good!” in Portuguese: Está muito bom! (shtah MOO-ee-too bohng). Built from está = it is; muito bom = very good.
Common mistakes and things to watch out for
- Obrigado (oh-bree-GAH-doo): said by a man.
- queres (KEH-resh): informal.
- com licença (kong lee-SEN-sah): to pass.
- lamento (lah-MEN-too): regret.
Culture and etiquette
Obrigado vs obrigada
Say thanks according to your own gender: a man says obrigado, a woman obrigada — regardless of who you're thanking.
Coffee culture
Ask for um café and you'll get an espresso ('uma bica' in Lisbon). A 'meia de leite' is a milky coffee. Have it standing at the balcão (counter).
Saudade & fado
'Saudade' — a wistful longing — is central to Portuguese culture, expressed in fado music. Catching a fado night in Lisbon or Porto is unforgettable.
Example dialogues
Taking a taxi
You: Boa tarde, queria ir ao aeroporto. (boh-ah TAR-duh, kuh-REE-uh eer ow ah-eh-roo-POR-too) — Good afternoon, I'd like to go to the airport.
Driver: Com certeza. (kong ser-TEH-zah) — Of course.
You: Quanto tempo demora? (KWAN-too TEM-poo duh-MOH-ruh) — How long does it take?
Driver: Vinte minutos. (VEEN-tuh mee-NOO-toosh) — Twenty minutes.
You: Pare aqui, por favor. Obrigado. (PAH-ruh ah-KEE poor fah-VOR, oh-bree-GAH-doo) — Stop here, please. Thanks.
Written by the LanguagePath editorial team from our own course material. Pronunciation guides are approximate English respellings; tap any phrase in the app above to hear it. Native-speaker review of every course is ongoing — tell us if you spot an error.