Portuguese is always a language that has intrigued me because I grew up in town with a huge Brazilian population. So many people spoke Portuguese and I never understood any of it! I quickly learned that Portuguese is fairly simple to say and remember, however, the worlds slightly change if you are speaking to a male or a female. Talk about a lot to remember!
The Basics
Hi, I’m Krysta. (Informal) – Oi, meu nome é Krysta.
It’s pleasure to meet you (informal)–
1. To a male: Prazer em conhecê-lo
2. To a female: Prazer em conhecê-la
3. To everyone: Prazer
Please – For favor
Thank you – Obrigado (if you are male) or Obrigada (if you are female)
Thank you very much – Muito Obrigado
No problem – De nada
You’re Welcome – Disponha (not used as often as De nada)
Hello– oi or óla
Hi, is everything fine? (Very common) – Oi, Tudo bem?
Everything is fine. And you? – Tudo bem. E você
Bye – Tchau
See you soon – Até Mais
Yes – sim
No– Não
Excuse me, Do you speak English? licença, você fala inglês?
I am sorry, I don’t speak Portuguese very well – Desculpa, Nao falo Portugues muito bem
Where is the Bathroom? – One fica o banheirio
Portuguese Idioms
My favorite part of learning so many new languages this month, are learning the funny sayings that get tossed around so easily. Of course they don’t typically translate as one would expect them to, making it hard to understand if you don’t know what you are looking for! These are the best Portuguese Idioms that I found:
- É muita areia para o meu caminhão
- Literal Translation: This is too much sand for my truck
- Actual Translation: I’m in over my head. Or This is more than I can handle
- Maria vai com as outras
- Literal Translation: Maria goes with the others
- Actual Translation: Maria just follows the pack
- Ir para o olho da rua
- Literal Translation: to go to the eye of the street
- Actual Translation: to be fired from a job
- De noite todos os gatos são pardos
- Literal Translation: tAt night, all cats are grey
- Actual Translation: It’s easy to make mistakes
Ok this last one might actually be my favorite new saying!
Be sure to checkout this awesome YouTube video that taught me all about the Portuguese basics!
xoxo
Krysta
