Do you need to speak Portuguese in Lisbon? Mostly no — English is widely spoken in tourist areas. But knowing a few essential Portuguese phrases for tourists dramatically improves the warmth of your interactions, opens doors at smaller tascas, and shows respect to the locals who built the city you’re enjoying.
This guide covers the essential phrases, pronunciation tips, and the small linguistic details that make a meaningful difference. Updated for 2026.
Quick Answer: What Portuguese Phrases Do Tourists Actually Need?
| Situation | Phrase | Pronunciation | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Any greeting | Bom dia / Boa tarde | bohm DEE-ah / BOH-ah TAR-deh | Opening with a greeting is expected; skipping it is slightly rude |
| Thank you | Obrigado / Obrigada | oh-bree-GAH-doo / -dah | Said 30–50× a day; use the right gender |
| Ordering food | Eu queria… / A conta | eh-oo keh-REE-ah / ah KON-tah | Smooth service, no pointing required |
| Getting around | Onde fica…? | OWN-deh FEE-kah | Maps won’t always load |
| Declining extras | Não, obrigado/a | nown oh-bree-GAH-doo | Essential for rejecting the couvert bread |
| Buying anything | Quanto é? / Aceita cartão? | KWAN-too eh / ah-SAY-tah kar-TOWN | Markets, small shops, tascas |
The short answer: learn the greeting + obrigado/a, and you’ve done 80% of the work. Everything else is a bonus that makes you more independent and better liked.
Quick Phrases You Need
| English | Portuguese | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | Olá | oh-LAH |
| Good morning | Bom dia | bohm DEE-ah |
| Good afternoon | Boa tarde | BOH-ah TAR-deh |
| Good evening / night | Boa noite | BOH-ah NOY-teh |
| Please | Por favor | poor fa-VOR |
| Thank you (m/f) | Obrigado / Obrigada | oh-bree-GAH-doo / -dah |
| You’re welcome | De nada | deh NAH-dah |
| Excuse me | Com licença | kohm lee-SEN-sah |
| Sorry | Desculpe | desh-KOOL-peh |
| Yes / No | Sim / Não | seem / nown (nasal) |
The single most important rule: Portuguese has masculine and feminine forms. A man says “obrigado” (thank you), a woman says “obrigada.” This applies to many words — match the speaker’s gender, not the listener’s.
Greetings: The Unbreakable Rule
Portuguese culture runs on greetings. Walk into a shop, a restaurant, a small hotel — you say “Bom dia” or “Boa tarde” first, before asking for anything. It costs nothing and completely changes the temperature of the interaction. Locals who deal with tourists all day long notice immediately when someone skips the greeting and goes straight to “Do you have a table for two?”
The time boundaries are loose but roughly:
- Bom dia — morning until about 12 or 1 PM
- Boa tarde — afternoon until sunset or about 7–8 PM
- Boa noite — evening greeting and farewell both; also how you say goodbye at night
When leaving any shop or restaurant, say “Obrigado/a” and optionally “Adeus” (formal goodbye) or “Até logo” (see you later, informal). You don’t need both — one is plenty.
Restaurant Phrases
- “Mesa para dois, por favor” — Table for two, please
- “A ementa, por favor” — The menu, please
- “Eu queria…” — I would like… (eh-oo keh-REE-ah)
- “Não, obrigado/a” — No, thank you (decline the couvert)
- “A conta, por favor” — The bill, please
- “Está tudo bem” — Everything is fine
- “Estava delicioso” — It was delicious
- “Sou vegetariano/a” — I am vegetarian
- “Tem opções vegetarianas?” — Do you have vegetarian options?
- “Sou alérgico/a a…” — I’m allergic to…
The Couvert Situation
In Portuguese restaurants, bread, olives, cheese, or cured meats often appear on the table unasked. They are not free — they’re charged per person as “couvert.” If you don’t want them, say “Não, obrigado/a” and wave them away before touching them. Once you eat from the plate, you pay. This trips up almost every first-time visitor.
Ordering Coffee Like a Local
Coffee order vocabulary is worth its own section:
- “Uma bica” — a small espresso (Lisbon term; elsewhere it’s just “café”)
- “Um abatanado” — an Americano (longer, weaker)
- “Um meia de leite” — a café au lait, roughly
- “Um galão” — a large latte in a tall glass
- “Com leite?” — with milk? (they may ask you this)
Order a “bica” in Lisbon — it signals you know where you are. Order a “coffee” and you’ll get it, but the bartender registers “tourist.”
Directions and Transit
- “Onde fica…?” — Where is… (OWN-deh FEE-kah)
- “Quanto custa?” — How much does it cost?
- “À direita / À esquerda” — Right / Left
- “Em frente” — Straight ahead
- “Não sei” — I don’t know
- “Não falo português” — I don’t speak Portuguese
- “Fala inglês?” — Do you speak English?
- “Pode falar mais devagar?” — Can you speak more slowly?
Transit-Specific Vocabulary
Useful for the metro, trams, and buses:
- “Onde é a próxima paragem?” — Where is the next stop?
- “Quero sair aqui” — I want to get off here
- “Bilhete, por favor” — Ticket, please
- “Validar” — to validate (you’ll see this on machines)
- “Navegante” — Lisbon’s rechargeable transit card
Tram 28 and the funiculars in particular can get crowded — knowing “Com licença” (excuse me) gets you through.
Shopping and Markets
- “Quanto é?” — How much is it?
- “É muito caro” — It’s too expensive
- “Pode fazer melhor preço?” — Can you give a better price? (for haggling at Feira da Ladra)
- “Vou pensar” — I’ll think about it (polite refusal)
- “Levo dois” — I’ll take two
- “Aceita cartão?” — Do you accept cards?
- “Só dinheiro” — Cash only (a vendor’s likely answer)
Pronunciation Tips
Portuguese pronunciation is the famously challenging part. Key rules:
1. The “ão” is nasal. Words like “não” (no), “pão” (bread), “obrigação” all end in a nasal “own” sound — like the “on” in French “bon” but more open. Don’t pronounce as “ow” or “an.”
2. The “lh” sounds like the Italian “gli” or Spanish “ll.” “Filho” (son) sounds like “FEEL-yoo.” Not “fil-ho.”
3. The “nh” sounds like the Spanish “ñ.” “Pinho” (pine) sounds like “PEEN-yoo.” “Vinho” (wine) sounds like “VEEN-yoo.”
4. “X” can be “sh” or “ks” or “z.” “Caixa” (box, cashier) is “KAI-shah.” “Taxi” is “TAK-see.” Variable, no clean rule.
5. The “rr” is rolled or guttural. Like a French “r” rather than a Spanish trilled R. “Carro” (car) is “KAH-roo” with a soft guttural R.
6. Final unstressed vowels are very weak. “Obrigado” sounds like “oh-bree-GAH-doo” with the final “doo” almost swallowed.
7. The “s” before another consonant or at end of word sounds like “sh.” “Lisboa” (Lisbon) is “leezh-BOH-ah,” not “lis-BOA.”
Vowel Reduction: The Hardest Part
European Portuguese swallows its unstressed vowels. The word “obrigado” technically has five syllables, but spoken quickly it collapses to “bree-GAH-doo” — the initial “oh” almost disappears. This is why European Portuguese sounds so different from Brazilian Portuguese and why learners trained on Brazilian apps struggle to understand Lisbon speakers at first.
A practical trick: slow down your own speech a little when asking something, and Lisbon locals will often unconsciously match your pace.
European vs Brazilian Portuguese
Important: Lisbon Portuguese is European Portuguese, not Brazilian. They’re the same language but the pronunciation differs significantly. Brazilian Portuguese is what you’ll hear in most movies, music, and language apps; European Portuguese sounds more closed, with reduced unstressed vowels.
If you’ve learned Brazilian Portuguese, you’ll be understood in Lisbon — but expect to be told “you sound Brazilian.” Locals appreciate the effort regardless.
The App Problem
Duolingo, Babbel, and most popular apps default to Brazilian Portuguese. When signing up, look for “European Portuguese” or “Portugal Portuguese” as a separate option — Duolingo has it as a non-default track, Pimsleur has an explicit EP course. If you only have a few hours, Pimsleur’s European Portuguese is the most practically focused for a Lisbon trip.
Words You’ll Hear and Use Daily
- “Obrigado/a” — said constantly; the universal pleasantry
- “Bom dia / Boa tarde / Boa noite” — greetings shift by time of day
- “Não há problema” — no problem
- “Tudo bem?” — everything OK? / how’s it going?
- “Bom apetite” — bon appétit
- “Saúde” — cheers / to your health
- “Sim sim” — yes yes (more emphatic than single “sim”)
- “Pois pois” — yeah yeah / true (very Portuguese)
The Untranslatable: Saudade
You’ll encounter “saudade” everywhere — on postcards, in fado lyrics, in conversation. It roughly means a nostalgic longing for something absent or lost. There’s no direct English equivalent. You don’t need to use it, but understanding it unlocks something about how Lisbon sees itself: a city that’s deeply proud of its past and slightly melancholic about the distance from it. It’s one reason fado — the city’s traditional music — sounds the way it does.
Numbers 1–10
| 1 | um (oom) |
| 2 | dois (DOYZH) |
| 3 | três (trayzh) |
| 4 | quatro (KWAH-troo) |
| 5 | cinco (SEEN-koo) |
| 6 | seis (saysh) |
| 7 | sete (SET-eh) |
| 8 | oito (OY-too) |
| 9 | nove (NOH-veh) |
| 10 | dez (desh) |
Numbers 11–100: The Ones You’ll Actually Use
You need 1–20 at restaurants (table size, number of beers, floor numbers in hotels). The tens up to 100 cover most price conversations.
| Number | Portuguese | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| 11 | onze | OWN-zeh |
| 12 | doze | DOH-zeh |
| 15 | quinze | KEEN-zeh |
| 20 | vinte | VEEN-teh |
| 30 | trinta | TREEN-tah |
| 50 | cinquenta | seen-KWEN-tah |
| 100 | cem | sehm |
Practical Phrases for Specific Lisbon Situations
At a Pastelaria
- “Um pastel de nata, por favor” — one custard tart, please
- “Dois, por favor” — two, please
- “Com açúcar e canela?” — with sugar and cinnamon? (they’ll ask)
- “Sim, por favor” — yes, please (always the right answer)
At the Ginjinha Bar
- “Uma ginjinha, por favor” — one ginjinha, please
- “Com elas ou sem elas?” — with cherries or without? (they’ll ask)
- “Com elas” — with cherries (the correct answer)
Tipping
Portugal doesn’t have a tipping culture the way the US or UK does. Rounding up or leaving €1–2 on a casual meal is appreciated; nothing is expected. See our full tipping guide for the full breakdown by situation.
Currency and Paying
- “Posso pagar com cartão?” — Can I pay by card?
- “Tem troco para…?” — Do you have change for…?
See our money and currency guide for ATM tips and exchange rates in Lisbon.
Useful Apps for European Portuguese
| App | Best for | EP available? | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pimsleur European Portuguese | Pronunciation + speaking | Yes (explicit EP track) | Subscription |
| Duolingo (Portugal Portuguese) | Vocabulary basics | Yes (non-default track) | Free / Premium |
| Babbel Portuguese | Grammar + conversation | European focus | Subscription |
| Memrise | Vocabulary memorisation | Community EP courses | Free / Premium |
| Google Translate (offline) | Real-time help on the go | N/A (translation) | Free |
Portuguese in Context: How the Language Fits the City
Portuguese is the seventh most spoken language in the world by native speakers — roughly 260 million people, mostly in Brazil, Portugal, Angola, Mozambique, and Cape Verde. The Lisbon you’re visiting is the origin point of all of it: the language spread globally from here during the Age of Discovery, when Portuguese traders and explorers were operating in Africa, India, Brazil, and Southeast Asia simultaneously.
That history is still present in the language. Portuguese contains words borrowed from Arabic (the Moors controlled most of the Iberian peninsula for centuries — “aldeia” (village), “alface” (lettuce), “almofada” (pillow) are all Arabic-derived), from Tupi (Brazilian indigenous language — “caju” (cashew), “ananás” (pineapple)), and from African languages. The food vocabulary in particular shows this layered history: “caju,” “malagueta,” “dendê” all came back with the ships.
Knowing this doesn’t help you order coffee, but it does change how you experience the language. When a Lisbon local says “obrigado,” they’re using a word that derives from the Latin “obligatus” — obliged, indebted. Thank you literally means “I am in your debt.” That’s a different cultural register than a simple pleasantry.
Common Mistakes Tourists Make (and How to Avoid Them)
Confusing European and Brazilian Portuguese Apps
Already covered above, but worth repeating because it trips up so many visitors: Duolingo defaults to Brazilian Portuguese unless you specifically select European Portuguese. If you practiced on the wrong track, you’ll have an odd accent but will still be understood. Just tell your waiter “aprendi o portugues do Brasil” (I learned Brazilian Portuguese) and they’ll usually find it charming rather than irritating.
Pronouncing Lisboa as Liz-BON
The correct pronunciation is leezh-BOH-ah. Three syllables, not two. The ‘s’ becomes ‘zh’ (like the ‘s’ in ‘measure’), and the final ‘a’ is weak but present. You’ll hear this mispronounced constantly by other tourists; you’ll hear locals wince almost as often.
Saying “Obrigado” When You’re a Woman
A woman saying “obrigado” (the masculine form) is a very common mistake and broadly forgiven, but it signals immediately that you haven’t studied. The gendered agreement isn’t optional — it’s core to the grammar. Women say “obrigada.” Men say “obrigado.” It’s a small detail that signals a lot of attention.
Jumping to English Without a Greeting
Covered under greetings above, but the cultural point is strong enough to repeat: the single biggest difference between a cold interaction and a warm one in Lisbon is whether you opened with “Bom dia” or not. English is fine after that. English without the greeting is jarring.
Assuming Spanish Works
It will work, in the sense that Portuguese speakers can understand Spanish. But culturally it’s tone-deaf — Portugal and Spain have a complicated relationship, and the assumption that the languages are interchangeable is a sore point. If you can’t manage Portuguese, say so explicitly and switch to English. “Nao falo portugues, falo ingles?” works perfectly.
Learning More: Resources Beyond the Basics
If you want to go beyond phrasebook Portuguese before your trip:
- Podcasts: “Coffee Break Portuguese” (from PodBean) has a European Portuguese track and covers conversational situations. Good for commutes.
- YouTube: “European Portuguese with Carla” is a free channel focused on natural European Portuguese speech — much more useful than most Brazilian-focused channels for Lisbon-bound travelers.
- Books: Lonely Planet’s Portuguese Phrasebook covers European Portuguese specifically and fits in a pocket. The Assimil series (if you read French or other European languages) has an excellent European Portuguese course.
- Language exchanges: Tandem and HelloTalk both have Portuguese speakers willing to do language exchanges — useful if you have two or three weeks before your trip and want live practice.
The practical return on time invested drops sharply after the basics. For a one-week Lisbon trip, the phrase tables in this guide plus two hours on Pimsleur covers 95% of what you’ll actually use. Beyond that, the time is better spent learning about the city itself.
How Much Portuguese Should I Learn?
Minimum: The 10 quick phrases above (greetings, please, thank you, yes/no). 30 minutes to memorize.
Comfortable: The above + restaurant phrases + numbers 1–20. 2–3 hours of practice.
Useful: Everything above + simple conversation phrases (“nice to meet you”, “how are you”). 5–10 hours of preparation.
Apps to use: Duolingo, Babbel, Pimsleur, Memrise. All offer European Portuguese (specify; default is often Brazilian).
What If I Make Mistakes?
Portuguese-speakers in Lisbon are famously patient with foreigners attempting their language. Mistakes are welcomed, not corrected harshly. The simple act of starting with “Bom dia” or “Obrigado/a” before switching to English is universally appreciated.
The one cultural mistake to avoid: don’t speak Spanish. While Portuguese-speakers can usually understand Spanish, many find it slightly insulting (or culturally tone-deaf). English is preferred over Spanish if you can’t speak Portuguese.
And one practical tip: if you’re uncertain whether a word ends in -o or -a (masculine/feminine), pause for half a second. Lisbon locals will often supply the right ending for you rather than let you finish incorrectly. It’s one of the quieter forms of Portuguese hospitality.
Getting Connected: SIM Cards and WiFi
Knowing phrases is useful; having working mobile data to back you up is essential. See our Lisbon SIM card and WiFi guide for the best options in 2026 — Google Translate’s offline mode plus a local SIM covers most gaps.
FAQ: Portuguese for Tourists
Do I need to speak Portuguese in Lisbon?
No — English is widely spoken in tourist areas, restaurants, and on transit. But learning a few phrases is appreciated and improves interactions.
Is Portuguese hard to learn?
Pronunciation is challenging for English speakers, especially nasal vowels and reduced unstressed syllables. Vocabulary and grammar are similar to Spanish/French, so reading is easier than speaking.
Should I learn Brazilian or European Portuguese?
For Lisbon, European Portuguese. Brazilian Portuguese will be understood but sounds different — locals will identify you as Brazilian-trained. Most apps default to Brazilian; specifically choose European Portuguese when signing up.
What’s the most important phrase?
“Obrigado/a” (thank you). You’ll say it 50+ times a day, and the gendered form (-o for men, -a for women) shows you’ve put in effort.
Can I just speak English?
Yes in tourist areas. Some smaller tascas and outer-neighbourhood shops have limited English; phrasebooks help. Younger Portuguese (under 40) generally speak good English.
What’s the difference between bom dia and boa tarde?
Time of day. “Bom dia” (good morning) until early afternoon; “boa tarde” (good afternoon) from roughly 1 PM until sunset; “boa noite” (good evening/night) after dark. When in doubt, “olá” works any time.
How do I order a coffee in Portuguese?
Say “Uma bica, por favor” — that’s a small espresso, the standard Lisbon order. For something longer, ask for “um abatanado.” Saying “coffee” will get you an espresso anyway, but “bica” gets a smile.
Bottom Line
Learn 10 essential phrases (greetings, please, thank you, yes/no) before your trip — 30 minutes of effort. Add restaurant phrases and numbers if you’re going for a longer stay. Use European Portuguese pronunciation, accept that mistakes are welcomed, and start every interaction with “Bom dia / Boa tarde” before switching to English. The warmth of Portuguese hospitality multiplies for travellers who try.
Continue with our Practical Information pillar, our tipping guide, our money guide, and our SIM card guide.
