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Portuguese Basics: 8 Tips for Mastering the Essentials

Updated: Mar 14

Learning the basics of Portuguese is the first step toward becoming proficient in this rich and vibrant language. Whether you’re visiting Portugal, living there, connecting with your Portuguese family, or simply exploring your curiosity, mastering the essentials is key to your success.


In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to get started, from common greetings to essential verbs, helping you lay a solid foundation for your Portuguese learning journey.




1. Common Greetings and Phrases


Can you imagine having a conversation without greeting the person you’re talking to? Probably not! Greetings are a great place to start your studies, and they fit into every conversation. Learning these Portuguese basics will allow you to start conversations and be polite in everyday situations:


  • Olá – Hello

  • Bom dia – Good morning

  • Boa tarde – Good afternoon

  • Boa noite – Good evening




2. Common Questions and How to Answer Them


After saying “Olá” or “Bom dia,” for example, you’ll probably want to ask how the other person is doing. But how can you do it? Here, mrPortuguese is glad to present some of the questions you may hear while in Portugal:


  • Tudo bem? – All good?

  • Como estás? / Como (é que) estás? – How are you?


You only have one chance to make a good first impression, so knowing these questions and possible answers will allow you to impress your audience when meeting someone. Some basic answers you need to know are:


  • Tudo bem. – All good.

  • Eu estou ______. – I am ________.

    • bem (good)

    • feliz (happy)

    • ótimo/ótima (great)

    • animado/animada (excited)


Remember, it’s not about having everything scripted; it’s about understanding what’s being said and being capable of communicating naturally.




3. Asking for the price


Understanding and knowing numbers is another essential part of the basics of Portuguese. You’ll need this skill in various situations, like shopping, ordering food, navigating public transportation, and more.


You can use: Quanto custa isto? (How much is this?)

Quanto (é que) custa isto? (How much is this?)

Quanto (é que) custa um café? How much does a coffee cost? (masc)

uma água a water cost (fem)


The person should answer:

Custa ______ euros.

Um - 1

Dois - 2

Três - 3

Quatro - 4

Cinco - 5


You’ll likely find items that cost other amounts (ex.:1 euro and 50 cents). If you want to learn the numbers in Portuguese, check out the blog post “Numbers in Portuguese”.




4. Difference between SER e ESTAR / “Ser vs Estar - Understand the Difference” 

 

In Portuguese, both "ser" and "estar" mean "to be," but they are used in different contexts. Understanding when to use each verb is essential for conveying the correct meaning.


"Estar," is used to describe temporary states, conditions, or locations. It refers to how someone or something is at the moment.

  • Eu estou bem. (I am good)

  • Tu estás cansado. (You are tired)


On the other hand, "ser" is used to talk about things that are permanent or defining. Examples of when using “ser”:


  1. Identity: To describe who someone is or what something is.

    • Eu sou estudante. (I am a student.)


  2. Characteristics: To talk about traits or qualities that don’t change easily.

    • Tu és teimoso/teimosa. (You are stubborn.) - This describes a typical trait of the person we’re referring to.


  3. Time and Dates: To tell the time or date.

    • Hoje é segunda-feira. (Today is Monday.)


  4. Origin: To say where someone or something is from.

    • Eu sou italiano/italiana. (I am Italian.)




5. Portuguese Basics: Key Verbs /  Portuguese Basics: Essential Verbs / :


When it comes to Portuguese basics, verbs are the backbone of communication. Some of the most important verbs frequently used in a conversation and that you also must-know are:


  • Ser/ Estar

  • Ter - to have

  • Fazer - to do/ to make

  • Ir - to go

  • Querer - to want


Learning the present tense conjugation of these verbs will allow you to express a wide variety of actions. You’ll need these as building blocks to form more complex sentences as your language skills grow.




6. Nouns are gendered. 


O Mário é o meu professor. (Mário is my teacher.)

A Maria é a minha professora. (Maria is my teacher.)


Mário is masculine, while Maria is feminine, so, as you can see names agree in gender, but they also agree in number:


O livro. - singular, masculine (the book)

Os livros. - plural, masculine (the books)


A caneta - singular, feminine (the pen)

As canetas - plural, feminine (the pens)


These basic grammar Portuguese rules  will make it easier for you to create sentences on your own.




7. Making and Understanding Questions


To engage in basic conversations, knowing how to ask questions is crucial. As part of the basics of Portuguese, we also have WH words (or WH questions). These include words like "who," "what," "where," "when," "why," "how," "how much," and "how many."


Quem - "who”

O que - "what"

Onde - "where"

Quando - "when"

Porquê - "why"

Como - "how"

Quanto custa - “how much”

Quantos/Quantas - “how many” 


These words will be helpful whether you’re shopping, asking for directions, or simply trying to communicate in a new environment. Learn how they work in our guide: “Making Questions in Portuguese” (CTA).




8. Pronunciation Tips for Portuguese Learners


One of the trickier parts of learning the basics of Portuguese is getting the pronunciation right. Here are a few tips to help:


  • Listening to native speakers through podcasts or videos will help you get a feel for the sounds of the language and improve your pronunciation.

  • Nasal Sounds: Words ending in "ão," like pão (bread), require nasalization, which can be challenging for beginners.

  • Practice with Native Speakers


The best way to solidify your Portuguese basics is by practicing with native speakers. You can find language exchange partners or join online communities where Portuguese is spoken (like Tandem).


Additionally, self-paced personalized lessons with a native speaker can accelerate your learning process and ensure you're mastering not only the basics of Portuguese but also more advanced aspects of the language. You can start learning or improve your knowledge and pronunciation by taking classes with native speakers. If that’s the case: BOOK A CLASS.




Looking Ahead


Learning the basics of Portuguese is the first and most important step in mastering the language, as the hardest part is getting started.


From greetings and essential words to basic grammar and pronunciation, these foundational elements will set you up for success. By consistently practicing and immersing yourself in Portuguese, you’ll soon find yourself communicating confidently.


For a more tailored learning experience, consider taking online Portuguese lessons where you can receive personalized feedback and guidance. This will help you achieve your language goals more quickly and effectively.


Now that you know the Portuguese basics, it's time to take the next steps toward becoming fluent!


 
 
 

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