So, you’re all set to have a vacation of a lifetime in Rio de Janeiro. And while sometimes getting lost and fumbling through a foreign city is part of the fun — it can often lead to all sorts of adventures you’ll remember for years to come — it’s always useful to know a few key phrases in Brazilian Portuguese when traveling to Rio. That’s where we come in!
Não, não entendo.
Translation: No, I don’t understand.
Perhaps the one you’ll use most often. You can use this one when the waiter starts rattling off the night’s dinner specials, or when someone cute at the club starts to chat you up.
Você fala inglês?
Translation: Do you speak English?
When you know zero Portuguese, then this is how you’ll be able to find people you can chat with, like when you’re trying to find someone who can give you directions to Parque de Catacumba.
Como vai?
Translation: How are you?
This is always a polite way to start a conversation whether you’re just at the bar about to order a drink or trying to make new friends at the soccer game.
Onde fica a melhor praia?
Translation: Where’s the best beach?
Your vacation won’t be complete without some quality beach time, and you’ll be able to find the top spots for sun and sand by asking the locals for their favourites.
Estou perdido/perdida.
Translation: I’m lost.
Even with your smartphone and your guidebook, you can’t figure out how to get where you want to go. It’s time to swallow your pride and tell someone you’re lost.
Vai para a festa?
Translation: Are you going to the party?
If hitting up some great parties on your Brazilian vacation is essential, then this is definitely one phrase you will need to master.
Gostaria de checar meu e-mail.
Translation: I’d like to check my email.
As much as you’d like to unplug from the world at home, sometimes it’s just necessary to check the inbox to check in with work or your family.
Vocês podem enviar parao exterior?
Translation: Can I have it sent overseas?
So, it turns out that you can’t live without the cachaça you’re drinking and want a case of it sent back home so you can make caipirinhas just like the ones you’re enjoying. Bust out this phrase and reap the benefits of cross-continental souvenirs.
Eu gostaria de fazer uma reserve, por favor.
Translation: I’d like to book a room, please.
If you want to make plans on the fly so your vacation plans can stay flexible, making knowing how to ask for accommodations a must.
Eu sou casado/casada.
Translation: I’m married.
Always a helpful phrase to know, whether it’s so you can make polite conversation with locals, or to let down hopefuls trying to chat you up.
O que tem neste prato?
Translation: What’s in that dish?
Almost everyone is going gluten-, meat-, or dairy-free these days. If you have a restricted diet (or simply like to know exactly what’s in the dishes you’re ordering), learn this phrase by heart.
Você quer beber alguma coisa?
Translation: Would you like a drink?
This is one of the easiest ways to make new friends at a bar, period.
Gostei muito de você.
Translation: I like you very much.
Have you found love in Rio de Janeiro? Then you’ll definitely want to be able to share how you feel with your new crush.
Vou experimentar.
Translation: I’ll try it.
You’re all for trying new things on vacation — whether it’s food, drink, or activities. Here’s how you can say that you want in.
Você podera tirar minha foto, por favor?
Translation: Could you take a picture of me?
There’s only so many selfies you can take. Get better photos of yourself at Ipanema Beach and Cristo Redentor by asking someone to snap a photo of you.
Qual é número do teu telephone?
Translation: What’s your phone number?
It’s always important to know how to ask for one’s digits, whether it’s for the restaurant you want to call to make a dinner reservation at, or you want to be able to connect with the cutie you met at the beach.
Está muito caro.
Translation: That’s too expensive.
Oh yeah, it’s time to get your haggle on. When it comes to bartering with the local vendors, no one is better than you. Ad now you can bring those skills in multiple languages.
Qual o seu endereco de e-mail?
Translation: What’s your e-mail address?
You’ve met some lovely locals you can’t bear to say goodbye to and you want to keep in touch and need their email addresses.
Me beija.
Translation: Kiss me.
You’ve been flirting all night and want to smooch. Here’s how to ask for that kiss. Nice moves, hot shot.
Eu não sabia que estava fazendo algo errado.
Translation: I didn’t realize I was doing anything wrong.
Uh, oh. Somehow, you’ve gotten into a little bit of trouble and need to be able to explain that you’re not from around here, and you didn’t know you were misbehaving. Way to go, hot shot.
Não, não entendo.
Translation: No, I don’t understand.
Perhaps the one you’ll use most often. You can use this one when the waiter starts rattling off the night’s dinner specials, or when someone cute at the club starts to chat you up.
Você fala inglês?
Translation: Do you speak English?
When you know zero Portuguese, then this is how you’ll be able to find people you can chat with, like when you’re trying to find someone who can give you directions to Parque de Catacumba.
Como vai?
Translation: How are you?
This is always a polite way to start a conversation whether you’re just at the bar about to order a drink or trying to make new friends at the soccer game.
Onde fica a melhor praia?
Translation: Where’s the best beach?
Your vacation won’t be complete without some quality beach time, and you’ll be able to find the top spots for sun and sand by asking the locals for their favourites.
Estou perdido/perdida.
Translation: I’m lost.
Even with your smartphone and your guidebook, you can’t figure out how to get where you want to go. It’s time to swallow your pride and tell someone you’re lost.
Vai para a festa?
Translation: Are you going to the party?
If hitting up some great parties on your Brazilian vacation is essential, then this is definitely one phrase you will need to master.
Gostaria de checar meu e-mail.
Translation: I’d like to check my email.
As much as you’d like to unplug from the world at home, sometimes it’s just necessary to check the inbox to check in with work or your family.
Vocês podem enviar parao exterior?
Translation: Can I have it sent overseas?
So, it turns out that you can’t live without the cachaça you’re drinking and want a case of it sent back home so you can make caipirinhas just like the ones you’re enjoying. Bust out this phrase and reap the benefits of cross-continental souvenirs.
Eu gostaria de fazer uma reserve, por favor.
Translation: I’d like to book a room, please.
If you want to make plans on the fly so your vacation plans can stay flexible, making knowing how to ask for accommodations a must.
Eu sou casado/casada.
Translation: I’m married.
Always a helpful phrase to know, whether it’s so you can make polite conversation with locals, or to let down hopefuls trying to chat you up.
O que tem neste prato?
Translation: What’s in that dish?
Almost everyone is going gluten-, meat-, or dairy-free these days. If you have a restricted diet (or simply like to know exactly what’s in the dishes you’re ordering), learn this phrase by heart.
Você quer beber alguma coisa?
Translation: Would you like a drink?
This is one of the easiest ways to make new friends at a bar, period.
Gostei muito de você.
Translation: I like you very much.
Have you found love in Rio de Janeiro? Then you’ll definitely want to be able to share how you feel with your new crush.
Vou experimentar.
Translation: I’ll try it.
You’re all for trying new things on vacation — whether it’s food, drink, or activities. Here’s how you can say that you want in.
Você podera tirar minha foto, por favor?
Translation: Could you take a picture of me?
There’s only so many selfies you can take. Get better photos of yourself at Ipanema Beach and Cristo Redentor by asking someone to snap a photo of you.
Qual é número do teu telephone?
Translation: What’s your phone number?
It’s always important to know how to ask for one’s digits, whether it’s for the restaurant you want to call to make a dinner reservation at, or you want to be able to connect with the cutie you met at the beach.
Está muito caro.
Translation: That’s too expensive.
Oh yeah, it’s time to get your haggle on. When it comes to bartering with the local vendors, no one is better than you. Ad now you can bring those skills in multiple languages.
Qual o seu endereco de e-mail?
Translation: What’s your e-mail address?
You’ve met some lovely locals you can’t bear to say goodbye to and you want to keep in touch and need their email addresses.
Me beija.
Translation: Kiss me.
You’ve been flirting all night and want to smooch. Here’s how to ask for that kiss. Nice moves, hot shot.
Eu não sabia que estava fazendo algo errado.
Translation: I didn’t realize I was doing anything wrong.
Uh, oh. Somehow, you’ve gotten into a little bit of trouble and need to be able to explain that you’re not from around here, and you didn’t know you were misbehaving. Way to go, hot shot.