HOW TO COMMUNICATE IN RIO DE JANEIRO

Communicating in Rio de Janeiro can be an exciting experience, and knowing a few basic phrases in Portuguese can enhance your interactions with locals. While many people in tourist areas and service industries may speak English, especially in hotels and restaurants, attempting to speak Portuguese is appreciated and often leads to a more positive experience.

Here are some essential phrases to help you communicate in Rio de Janeiro:

Basic Phrases:

Hello / Hi:

English: Hello

Portuguese: Olá (oh-lah)

Good morning:

English: Good morning

Portuguese: Bom dia (bohn dee-ah)

Good afternoon:

English: Good afternoon

Portuguese: Boa tarde (boh-ah tahr-dee)

Good evening / Good night:

English: Good evening / Good night

Portuguese: Boa noite (boh-ah noy-chee)

Thank you:

English: Thank you

Portuguese: Obrigado (oh-bree-gah-doo) – for males

Portuguese: Obrigada (oh-bree-gah-dah) – for females

You’re welcome:

English: You’re welcome

Portuguese: De nada (djee nah-dah)

Excuse me / Sorry:

English: Excuse me / Sorry

Portuguese: Desculpe (dehs-kool-peh)

Yes:

English: Yes

Portuguese: Sim (seem)

No:

English: No

Portuguese: Não (now)

Please:

English: Please

Portuguese: Por favor (por fah-vor)

Goodbye:

English: Goodbye

Portuguese: Adeus (ah-deh-oos) – more formal, or Tchau (chow) – informal

Basic Questions:

  • Where is…?:
    • English: Where is…?
    • Portuguese: Onde fica…? (on-jee fee-kah)
  • How much does this cost?:
    • English: How much does this cost?
    • Portuguese: Quanto custa isso? (kwan-toh koo-stah ee-so)
  • Can you help me?:
    • English: Can you help me?
    • Portuguese: Você pode me ajudar? (voh-seh poh-de meh ah-zhoo-dar)
  • I don’t understand:
    • English: I don’t understand
    • Portuguese: Eu não entendo (eh-oo now en-ten-doo)
  • Do you speak English?:
    • English: Do you speak English?
    • Portuguese: Você fala inglês? (voh-seh fah-lah een-gleh-s)

Getting Around:

  • Where is the bathroom?:
  • English: Where is the bathroom?
  • Portuguese: Onde fica o banheiro? (on-jee fee-kah oo bahn-yay-ro)
  • I need a taxi:
  • English: I need a taxi
  • Portuguese: Eu preciso de um táxi (eh-oo preh-see-zoh djee oong tahk-see)
  • How do I get to…?:
  • English: How do I get to…?
  • Portuguese: Como eu vou para…? (koh-moh eh-oo voh pah-rah)
  • Can you recommend a good restaurant?:
  • English: Can you recommend a good restaurant?
  • Portuguese: Você pode recomendar um bom restaurante? (voh-seh poh-dey hey-koh-mehn-dahr oong boh-reh-stah-ran-ti)