Useful Portuguese Phrases

By: Cheryl Bowman

These useful Portuguese phrases can come in handy, as Portugal and Brazil are popular vacation destinations. This list of phrases covers several different categories so you can feel more comfortable in a range of situations.
When in a hotel, these phrases may be useful:

Where is the lounge? Onde e a sala de estar do hotel?
Where is the restaurant? Onde e o restaurante?
Where is the news stand? Onde e a banca de jornal?
Where is the nearest drugstore? Onde e a farmacia mais proxima?
Are there any messages for me? Ha algum recado para mim?
Are there any telephone calls for me? Ha algum telefonema para mim?

If you are speaking on the phone or want to make a phone call, these phrases may be useful:

Where is the telephone? Onde e o telefone?
May I use your phone? Posso usar seu telefone?
Please call this number for me. Quer ligar para este numero para mim, por favor?
Who's speaking? Quem esta falando?
I'll call again later. Eu telefono mais tarde.

Words and phrases that might be useful in a restaurant:

Restaurant: Restaurante
Snack bar: Lanchonete ou confeitaria
Hotel dining room: Restaurante do hotel
Maitre de: Maitre
Head waiter: Chefe dos garcons
Hostess: Recepcionista
Waiter: Garcon
Waitress: Garconete
Napkin: Guardanapo
Knife, fork, spoon: Faca, garfo, colher
Glasses: Copos
Plates: Pratos
Cup and saucer: Xicara e pires
Salt shaker: Saleiro
Pepper shaker: Pimenta
Water pitcher: Jarro d'agua
Sugar bowl: Acucareiro
Bread basket: Cesta de pao
Vinegar: Vinagre
Oil: Oleo
Ketchup: Ketchup
Mustard: Mostarda
Worcestershire sauce: Molho ingles
Ashtray: Cinzeiro
Tooth picks: Paliteiro
Good morning, I'd like a table for __: Bom dia, eu queria uma mesa para ___, por favor.
Do you serve breakfast? Os senhores servem cafe da manha?
Do you serve lunch? Os senhores servem café da almoco?
Do you serve dinner? Os senhores servem café da jantar?

If you want to learn a foreign language, the best way to go about it is to speak it. Once you memorize and practice speaking these phrases, you may want to try them out with a Portuguese-speaking friend. Or, join a study group so you can make sure you have the most common phrases down pat before you go.