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You won't learn Portuguese in full, but this language guide contains
enough of the most common travel phrases to help you get by.
Download here
» Portuguese Language Lesson (MP3 | Size: 212.4 MB)
Portuguese Language Guide Script
For those of you keen to have a written version on the podcast, here is the script below:
Scott: Um, com liceca (mispronounced badly) what is the parade for?
Ana: You mean com licenca – for excuse me - It is the Festa de Santo Antonio
Scott: Festival of….?
Ana: St Anthony – he is the Patron Saint of Padua and Portugal
Scott: Wow! It seems like a pretty big deal
Ana: Yes, each June all the local clubs and groups march through the Aveenida da Liberdade with their banners and flags to celebrate - it is a great party!
Scott: I’m Scott, looks like we might be wedged here together for a while – I don’t suppose you could help me with a few Portuguese phrases?
Ana: Sure, I’m Ana – what would you like to know?
Scott: Well, how about we start with the basics – hello – that is ola – right?
Ana: That’s right – ola – and good morning is bom dia
Scott: Bom dia
Ana: Good Afternoon is boa tarde and Good Night is boa noite
Scott: Boa tarde, boa noite. Goodbye is adeus – right
Ana: Yes, that’s right – and you might here ‘ate logo’ – which is ‘see you later’
Scott: Ate logo!
Ana: You know, your accent is pretty good.
Scott: (Smiling) Ah, obrigado… that is thank you isn’t it?
Ana: Very good – you hardly need me at all!
Scott: (laughing) let’s not get too excited! Now back to basics – what is yes & no?
Ana: This is sim and nao
Scott: Sim, nao. Please is per favor?
Ana: Sim! Portuguese people are very formal and polite, so make sure you use ‘per favor’ whenever you can.
Scott: ok, that is good to know. What about “I don’t understand”
Ana: This is nao compreendo
Scott: Nao compreendo. Now, I know we’ve already introduced ourselves, but how do I ask a persons name?
Ana: You say Como se chama?
Scott: Como se chama? What about my name is?
Ana: You say “Chamo me Scott”. You should also know that Portuguese people are quite formal and will generally use Senhor or Sehora until a person invites them to be informal, for instance my name is Ana Almeida so you should call me Senhora Almeida until I invite you to call me Ana – which of course you can use!
Scott: Ok, that is good to know. Chamo me Scott. Those flags and costumes are incredible – look at that one!
Ana: They are amazing, yes – but Scott, you should not point with your finger – it is considered rude. Also, if you want to beckon someone do it this way – with your palm facing down and your hand and fingers waving.
Scott: (laughing) Ok –but it’s kinda hard not to point at a parade though!
Ana: (Smiling) Try using your thumb!
Scott: (smiling) Ah, of course! How do I say ‘how much is it?’
Ana: Quanto custa?
Scott: Quanto custa? What about ‘too expensive’
Ana: E caro
Scott: E caro. What about ‘where is’ and ‘which way to’
Ana: You say ‘Onde é’ or ‘onde está’ and ‘Qual é o caminho para’
Scott: ‘Onde é’ or ‘onde está’ and ‘qual é o caminho para’. I know a little French and Spanish and I’m finding that the written form of Portuguese is similar.
Ana: Yes, the written forms are not dissimilar but the spoken are quite different.
Scott: Ok, well I know how to say this in Spanish and French – so how do I say ‘have you a room’ and ‘may I see it’ in Portuguese?
Ana: you say ‘tem algum quarto’ and ‘posso ver?’
Scott: ‘tem algum quarto’ and ‘posso ver?’ What about some transport – how do I say bus, train, boat and taxi?
Ana: Bus is autocarro, train is comboio
Scott: autocarro and comboio
Ana Boat is barco and taxi is taxi also ticket is bilhete
Scott: barco, taxi and bilhete
Ana: Very good!
Scott: Obrigado Senhora Almeida! Hey, what is that girl selling – they smell amazing!
Ana: ah, they are pasteis da nata which are very small, rich custard tarts – a Portuguese delicacy!
Scott: Portuguese Tarts… the real deal…fantastic… I’ll get a few for us!! How do I say four?
Ana: Quatro!
Scott: Quatro per favor! Obrigado. Here you go, two for you…
Ana: You mean dois
Scott: Dois, ok.. how do I count to ten?
Ana: um dois tres quatro cinco seis sete oito nove dez
Scott: oh, hang on… slow down… how do I say ‘please say that slowly’
Scott: You say ‘por favor diga isso devagar’. Now, numbers are - um dois tres quatro
Scott: Um dois tres quatro
Ana: cinco seis sete
Scott: cinco seis sete
Ana: oito nove dez
Scott: oito nove dez
Ana: Very good!
Scott: Ana, you have been very patient with me – can I trouble you for just a few more phrases?
Ana: I’m enjoying the parade, the pasteis and the company so you may indeed trouble me for a few more!
Scott: Ok, how do I say police, hospital and doctor
Ana: Hopefully you will not need to use these but police is polícia
Scott: polícia
Ana: Hospital is hospital and doctor is médico
Scott: hospital and médico. Now, finally can you tell me how to say ‘I like this’ as in “I like this pasteis!”
Ana: You say ‘eu gosto disto’
Scott eu gosto disto and what about ‘I don’t like this’
Ana: this is ‘eu não gosto disto’.
Scott: Ana, you have been very kind, thank you so much for your help – how about I get us a few more of those pasteis!
Ana: Obrigado Scott!
Photo Credit: Fred_Davignon
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