Picture this: You've just landed at Guarulhos Airport in São Paulo, and the taxi driver greets you with a warm "Tudo bem?" Your mind goes blank. You fumble with your translation app while a line forms behind you, and someone's definitely recording this for their Instagram story.
Three years ago, that was me – a marketing guy from Chicago who thought two weeks of Duolingo would prepare him for moving to São Paulo. Spoiler alert: it didn't. But you know what? After accidentally ordering chicken hearts instead of chicken breast (coração vs. peito), asking where the "preservatives" were in my food (I'll explain later), and once telling my landlord his apartment was "delicious" instead of "great," I learned something important.
Brazilians will literally adopt you for trying to speak Portuguese. Even terrible Portuguese. Especially terrible Portuguese, actually.
So before you land in Brazil armed with nothing but "obrigado" and hope, let me share the phrases that actually matter. Not the textbook stuff – the real phrases that'll get you fed, housed, and maybe invited to someone's cousin's birthday party (this happens more than you'd think).
Okay, But Why Should You Even Bother?
Look, I get it. You're thinking, "Can't I just point at things and smile?" Sure. But here's what nobody tells you about Brazil: only about 5% of people here speak English fluently. Five percent!
In Madrid or Berlin, you can stumble through with English. In São Paulo? The Uber driver who takes you from the airport probably doesn't speak English. The lady at the padaria (bakery) where you'll get your morning coffee definitely doesn't. That gorgeous beach vendor in Rio selling açaí? Nope.
But – and this is the beautiful part – the moment you try even basic Portuguese, everything changes. I'm talking about getting invited to family churrascos, having neighbors bring you food because you're "that gringo who tries," and yes, occasionally getting the Brazilian price instead of the tourist price at the feira (street market).
Last week, my barber spent an extra 30 minutes teaching me São Paulo slang just because I asked him "Tudo bem?" instead of pointing at a haircut picture on my phone. That's Brazil for you.
The Basic Phrases That Actually Matter (Trust Me on This)
1. "Tudo bem?" / "Tudo bom?" - The Swiss Army Knife of Greetings
How to say it: TOO-doo baym / TOO-doo bohm You respond with: "Tudo bem!" (yes, the same phrase)
Forget everything your Portuguese textbook taught you. Nobody says "Como vai?" here. It's all "Tudo bem?" all the time. Morning? Tudo bem. Evening? Tudo bem. Someone cuts you off in São Paulo traffic? Surprisingly, also tudo bem (followed by some colorful expressions I won't teach you).
I once counted – I heard this phrase 31 times in a single day. It's greeting, question, answer, and philosophical statement about life rolled into one.
2. "Com licença" - Your Magic Door Opener
How to say it: kohm lee-SEN-sah
This phrase will literally part crowds for you. It works on packed metros, busy markets, and those impossible-to-navigate June festivals. But here's the thing they don't tell you – the delivery matters. Too soft and nobody hears you. Too loud and you're the rude foreigner. Hit that sweet spot of polite-but-firm, and watch Brazilians practically choreograph a path for you.
Quick story: I once got stuck in a Salvador market corridor during Carnival. One well-placed "com licença" and the crowd moved like the Red Sea. An older lady even patted my arm and said "muito bem!" (very good!).
3. "Quanto custa?" - The Money Question
How to say it: KWAN-toh KOOS-tah
Essential everywhere, but especially at markets where prices mysteriously aren't displayed. Here's what I learned the hard way: always ask this BEFORE you look too interested. Show too much enthusiasm for those havaianas (flip-flops) first, and suddenly the price doubles.
Also, fun fact: in touristy areas, asking this in Portuguese instead of English can sometimes get you a different (better) price. Not always, but often enough that it's worth trying.
4. "Não entendo" - Your Panic Button
How to say it: nowm en-TEN-doo
When someone launches into rapid-fire Portuguese about... something (could be directions, could be their life story, honestly hard to tell sometimes), this is your lifeline. But here's the beautiful thing about Brazilians – say this phrase and they don't get frustrated. Instead, they turn into charades champions.
I once had an entire restaurant staff act out how to eat a complicated seafood dish after I said "não entendo." The table next to me joined in. It was dinner theater at its finest.
Alternative power move: "Fala mais devagar, por favor" (speak more slowly, please). Though honestly, "slowly" for Brazilians is still pretty fast.
5. "Por favor" and "Obrigado/a" - The Basics That Aren't Basic
How to say it: por fah-VOR / oh-bree-GAH-doo (if you're a guy) / oh-bree-GAH-dah (if you're a woman)
Yeah, yeah, you know these. But here's what tripped me up for MONTHS – the gender thing. Men say obrigado, women say obrigada. It's about YOUR gender, not the person you're thanking.
I said "obrigada" for one month straight. My Brazilian friends were too polite to correct me, but I wondered why I kept getting weird looks. Finally, my neighbor's kid asked why I talked "like a girl." Kids, man. They'll tell you the truth.
Also, Brazilians say these words constantly. Like, multiple times per sentence. It's not excessive here; it's just polite. Embrace it.
The Survival Phrases (Because Bathrooms and Food Are Non-Negotiable)
6. "Onde fica...?" - The Navigation Essential
How to say it: ON-djee FEE-kah
Your Google Maps will betray you in Brazil. It just will. Maybe it's the way streets are numbered, maybe it's the fact that half the businesses aren't on Google, or maybe it's just Brazilian magic. But you'll need this phrase.
Most urgent use: "Onde fica o banheiro?" Because after your third caipirinha, this becomes critical information.
Other life-saving variations:
- Onde fica a farmácia? (pharmacy - because that street food might fight back)
- Onde fica o caixa eletrônico? (ATM - you will encounter places that accept only PIX or cash, trust me)
- Onde fica a cerveja mais gelada? (where's the coldest beer - this will make you instant friends)
7. "Pode repetir?" - The Honesty Phrase
How to say it: PAW-djee heh-peh-CHEER
Brazilians talk fast. Like, really fast. Like, are-they-even-breathing fast. This phrase is your friend. Use it liberally. No shame.
Pro tip I wish I'd known earlier: Add "mais devagar" (more slowly) at the end. "Pode repetir mais devagar?" Though honestly, Brazilian "slow" is still most people's "fast."
8. "A conta, por favor" - The Check, Please
How to say it: ah KON-tah, por fah-VOR
In Brazil, asking for the check isn't rude – it's necessary. They'll let you sit there until the restaurant closes if you don't ask. It's actually considered polite; they're not rushing you.
I once sat in a restaurant for three hours waiting for the check before realizing I had to ask. The waiter seemed confused why I'd been sitting there so long with empty plates. Now I know.
The boteco (bar) is too loud for the waiter to hear you and you need to go? There's a magic gesture for asking for the bill too, but that's a topic for another time.
Bonus phrase: "Aceita cartão?" (do you accept cards?). Because plenty of places still don't, especially the good ones.
9. "Que delícia!" - The Food Compliment
How to say it: kee deh-LEE-see-ah
Want to make a Brazilian's day? Say this about their food. Any food. Street food, home cooking, that questionable looking dish at the boteco – "que delícia!" opens doors and hearts.
10. "Legal!" - The Everything Response
How to say it: leh-GAL (emphasis on GAL)
This isn't about law. It means "cool" and you can use it for literally everything. Someone shows you photos? Legal! They suggest a restaurant? Legal! You understand absolutely nothing they just said but need to respond? Legal!
It's like the Portuguese version of "nice" – universally applicable and always appropriate. When in doubt, just say "legal" and nod.
Your Burning Questions (I Had Them Too)
"What if I'm too embarrassed to try?"
Here's the secret: Brazilians LOVE when foreigners try to speak Portuguese. Love it. You could literally say "I like cheese" in Portuguese and someone will compliment your excellent Portuguese skills. The bar is so low it's underground. Use this to your advantage.
"Can I survive with just English in tourist areas?"
In Copacabana or tourist spots in São Paulo? Maybe. But you'll miss everything good. The best restaurants don't have English menus. The coolest bars are where English isn't spoken. And that life-changing feijoada? It's made by someone's grandmother who definitely doesn't speak English.
Time to Stop Reading and Start Talking
I've been in São Paulo for three years now. My Portuguese is still weird – I mix São Paulo formality with Rio slang and occasionally throw in expressions I learned from my 70-year-old neighbor that nobody under 50 uses. But you know what? It works.
Last month, I negotiated my rent in Portuguese (saved 200 reais!). Last week, I understood a joke at a boteco (and actually laughed at the right time). Yesterday, the guy at the corner bakery said my Portuguese was "getting better" instead of "interesting" – massive progress.
You don't need perfect Portuguese. You need brave Portuguese. Messy, mistake-filled, accidentally-hilarious Portuguese that makes Brazilians smile and want to help you.
Start with "Tudo bem?" tomorrow morning. Say it to your Uber driver, your hotel receptionist, that person at the coffee shop. Watch their face light up. Feel that connection. That's Brazil opening up to you.
Can you get by on just those 10 phrases? Kind of. But if you want to actually make friends here and experience the Brazilian culture for real, you'll need a bit more. Sign up for Falando and start learning. Or don't, you can do what you want - I'm not your dad!
Boa sorte, and remember: when in doubt, just say "Legal!" and smile. Works every time.