A1 Brazilian Portuguese Vocabulary & Conversation Practice
Talkable Team·
Your first steps in Brazilian Portuguese start here. Every word and phrase includes native audio from a Brazilian speaker, a phonetic guide with stressed syllables marked, and a usage example showing how it works in a real sentence. At A1, the goal is simple: learn the building blocks you need to say your first words and understand basic interactions.
A1
What A1 Brazilian Portuguese Feels Like
You are at the very beginning. You can recognize a few words when someone speaks slowly, say hello and goodbye, and ask very basic questions. Most real conversations still move too fast, and you rely on gestures, pointing, and the goodwill of patient speakers to get through everyday situations.
At this level you can:
Say hello, goodbye, and introduce yourself by name
Ask and answer simple personal questions: name, age, nationality
Count to twenty and understand basic numbers
Order food or drinks using short phrases
Ask where something is and understand simple directions
You cannot yet hold a conversation beyond rehearsed phrases. Past tense, future plans, and expressing opinions are all out of reach. Your next step is A2, where you start combining these building blocks into short, real exchanges.
Greetings & Basic Introductions
Greetings are the first thing you need in any language. In Brazil, people greet each other warmly and often. These phrases will get you through your first hellos, goodbyes, and introductions.
Olá
Neutraloh-LAH•Hello / Hi
A general-purpose greeting that works in any situation. In casual speech, Brazilians often say "oi" instead, but "olá" is always safe.
Example
Olá! Tudo bem com você?
Hello! How are you doing?
Oi
Neutraloy•Hi
The most common casual greeting in Brazil. Short, friendly, and used everywhere — from shops to phone calls.
Example
Oi, meu nome é Ana.
Hi, my name is Ana.
Bom dia
Neutralbõ DJEE-ah•Good morning
Used from sunrise until around noon. One of the most common greetings in Brazil. Literally means "good day."
Example
Bom dia! Como você está?
Good morning! How are you?
Boa tarde
NeutralBOH-ah TAR-djee•Good afternoon
Used from noon until around 6 PM. In Brazil, people switch to "boa tarde" right at lunchtime.
Example
Boa tarde! Eu sou Pedro.
Good afternoon! I am Pedro.
Boa noite
NeutralBOH-ah NOY-tchee•Good evening / Good night
Used both as a greeting in the evening and as a way to say goodnight. Context makes the meaning clear.
Example
Boa noite! Até amanhã.
Good night! See you tomorrow.
Tudo bem?
NeutralTOO-doo bẽ•How are you? / Everything good?
The standard Brazilian greeting after hello. Literally "everything good?" The expected answer is "tudo bem" (everything's good) or just "tudo."
Example
Oi, tudo bem? Tudo bem!
Hi, how are you? I'm good!
Meu nome é ...
NeutralMEH-oo NOH-mee eh•My name is ...
The standard way to introduce yourself. You can also say "eu sou" (I am) followed by your name for a shorter version.
Example
Meu nome é Lucas. E você?
My name is Lucas. And you?
Eu sou de ...
NeutralEH-oo soh djee•I am from ...
Used to say where you are from. Follow it with your city or country name.
Example
Eu sou de Nova York.
I am from New York.
Prazer
Neutralprah-ZEHR•Nice to meet you
Short for "prazer em conhecê-lo." Brazilians use just "prazer" in most situations. Often said with a handshake.
Example
Prazer! Meu nome é Maria.
Nice to meet you! My name is Maria.
Tchau
Neutralchow•Bye / Goodbye
The most common way to say goodbye in Brazil. Borrowed from Italian "ciao." Works in every situation.
Example
Tchau! Até amanhã!
Bye! See you tomorrow!
Até logo
Neutralah-TEH LOH-goo•See you later
A slightly more formal goodbye. "Até" means "until" and appears in many farewell phrases like "até amanhã" (see you tomorrow).
Example
Até logo! Bom dia!
See you later! Good day!
Numbers, Days & Telling Time
Numbers are essential from day one — for prices, phone numbers, addresses, and telling time. Brazilian Portuguese numbers are straightforward, and days of the week follow a unique naming system based on ordinal numbers.
Um
Neutraloo•One
The number one. Also means "a" (indefinite article). Feminine form is "uma."
Example
Eu quero um café, por favor.
I want one coffee, please.
Dois
Neutraldoysh•Two
The number two. Feminine form is "duas" — used with feminine nouns like "duas pessoas" (two people).
Example
Duas águas, por favor.
Two waters, please.
Três
Neutraltrehsh•Three
The number three. The accent mark (^) shows the open vowel sound.
Example
Eu tenho três irmãos.
I have three brothers.
Cinco
NeutralSEEN-koo•Five
The number five. Notice the nasal "in" sound, which is common in Portuguese.
Example
São cinco reais.
It is five reais.
Dez
Neutraldehz•Ten
The number ten. A useful round number for shopping and counting.
Example
Eu tenho dez reais.
I have ten reais.
Vinte
NeutralVEEN-tchee•Twenty
The number twenty. Notice the "tchee" ending — typical of how Brazilians pronounce the "te" at the end of words.
Example
Custa vinte reais.
It costs twenty reais.
Segunda-feira
Neutralseh-GOON-dah FAY-rah•Monday
Literally "second fair." Portuguese is the only Romance language that uses ordinal numbers for weekdays. In speech, people often drop "feira" and just say "segunda."
Example
A aula é na segunda-feira.
The class is on Monday.
Sábado
NeutralSAH-bah-doo•Saturday
Saturday — one of the two weekend days that does not follow the ordinal number pattern.
Example
No sábado eu não trabalho.
On Saturday I don't work.
Domingo
Neutraldoh-MEEN-goo•Sunday
Sunday — the other weekend day with a non-ordinal name. From Latin "dies dominicus" (the Lord's day).
Example
Domingo é dia de descanso.
Sunday is a rest day.
Que horas são?
Neutralkee OH-rahz sow̃•What time is it?
Literally "what hours are?" The most common way to ask the time. The answer uses "são" (are) for all hours except one o'clock, which uses "é" (is).
Example
Que horas são? São três horas.
What time is it? It's three o'clock.
São duas horas
Neutralsow̃ DOO-ahz OH-rahz•It's two o'clock
"Horas" (hours) is feminine, so "duas" is used instead of "dois." For one o'clock, say "é uma hora" (it is one hour).
Example
São duas horas. Vamos almoçar?
It's two o'clock. Shall we have lunch?
Family & People
Family is central to Brazilian culture. Brazilians talk about their families often and early in a conversation. These words let you describe your family and understand when others talk about theirs.
Mãe
Neutralmãy•Mother / Mom
The standard word for mother. In casual speech, Brazilians also say "mamãe" (mommy), even as adults.
Example
Minha mãe é brasileira.
My mother is Brazilian.
Pai
Neutralpie•Father / Dad
The standard word for father. "Papai" (daddy) is also common in casual speech.
Example
Meu pai é professor.
My father is a teacher.
Irmão
Neutraleer-MOW̃•Brother
The nasal "ão" ending is one of the most distinctive sounds in Portuguese. Practice it with this common word.
Example
Eu tenho um irmão.
I have one brother.
Irmã
Neutraleer-MÕSister
Feminine form of "irmão." The nasal "ã" sound is shorter than the "ão" in "irmão."
Example
Minha irmã mora em São Paulo.
My sister lives in São Paulo.
Filho
NeutralFEE-lyoo•Son
The "lh" in Portuguese makes a sound like the "lli" in "million." This sound appears in many common words.
Example
Meu filho tem cinco anos.
My son is five years old.
Filha
NeutralFEE-lyah•Daughter
Feminine form of "filho." "Filhos" (plural) can mean "children" (sons and daughters together).
Example
A filha dela é muito bonita.
Her daughter is very pretty.
Amigo
Neutralah-MEE-goo•Friend
Masculine form. Feminine is "amiga." Brazilians use "amigo/amiga" freely — friendships form quickly in Brazil.
Example
Ele é meu amigo do trabalho.
He is my friend from work.
Professor
Neutralproh-feh-SOR•Teacher
Used for teachers at all levels, from school to university. Feminine form is "professora." Also used as a respectful form of address.
Example
O professor é muito bom.
The teacher is very good.
Pessoa
Neutralpeh-SOH-ah•Person / People
Singular means "person." Plural "pessoas" means "people." A very common word in everyday speech.
Example
Ela é uma boa pessoa.
She is a good person.
Food, Drink & At the Restaurant
Food is a big part of Brazilian life. Whether you are at a restaurant, a padaria (bakery), or a street food stand, these words and phrases will help you order a meal, ask for the check, and navigate a menu.
Café
Neutralkah-FEH•Coffee
Brazil is the world's largest coffee producer. "Café" also means a coffee shop. Brazilian coffee is typically strong and served in small cups.
Example
Eu quero um café, por favor.
I want a coffee, please.
Água
NeutralAH-gwah•Water
In Brazil, you will often be asked "com gás ou sem gás?" (sparkling or still?). "Sem gás" is still water.
Example
Uma água, por favor.
A water, please.
Cerveja
Neutralsehr-VEH-zhah•Beer
Beer is very popular in Brazil. Brazilians drink it ice-cold — "estupidamente gelada" (stupidly cold) is a real selling point.
Example
Duas cervejas, por favor.
Two beers, please.
Arroz
Neutralah-HOHZ•Rice
Rice and beans ("arroz e feijão") is the staple of Brazilian meals. You will see it on nearly every lunch plate in the country.
Example
Arroz e feijão, por favor.
Rice and beans, please.
Feijão
Neutralfay-ZHOW̃•Beans
The other half of Brazil's national dish. Black beans are common in Rio; brown beans ("carioca") are more common in São Paulo and elsewhere.
Example
O feijão está muito bom.
The beans are very good.
Pão
Neutralpow̃•Bread
"Pão de queijo" (cheese bread) is a beloved Brazilian snack. "Pão francês" (French bread) is the everyday bread roll found in every bakery.
Example
Eu quero pão com manteiga.
I want bread with butter.
Cardápio
Neutralkar-DAH-pee-oo•Menu
Used in restaurants to ask for the menu. Some places also use "menu" (borrowed from French), but "cardápio" is standard Brazilian Portuguese.
Example
O cardápio, por favor.
The menu, please.
A conta
Neutralah KOHN-tah•The check / The bill
In Brazilian restaurants, the check usually does not come to your table automatically. You need to ask for it.
Example
A conta, por favor.
The check, please.
Por favor
Neutralpor fah-VOR•Please
Essential polite word. Used at the end of requests, just like in English. Brazilians appreciate when foreigners use it.
Example
Um café, por favor.
A coffee, please.
Obrigado
Neutraloh-bree-GAH-doo•Thank you
Male speakers say "obrigado." Female speakers say "obrigada." This gendered form is one of the first cultural details worth learning.
Example
Obrigado! Muito bom!
Thank you! Very good!
Eu quero ...
NeutralEH-oo KEH-roo•I want ...
The simplest way to ask for something. At A1, "eu quero" + a noun is your main tool for ordering food, drinks, and making basic requests.
Example
Eu quero uma cerveja.
I want a beer.
Practice Speaking Out Loud
Build your vocabulary and practice speaking with Talkable's AI tutor. Language lasts when it's personal.
Getting around a new city is one of the first challenges you face as a beginner. These words help you ask where things are, understand simple directions, and name the places you need to find.
Rua
NeutralHOO-ah•Street
The "r" at the start of a word in Brazilian Portuguese sounds like an English "h." This surprises many beginners.
Example
A rua é muito bonita.
The street is very pretty.
Casa
NeutralKAH-zah•House / Home
Means both "house" and "home." "Em casa" means "at home." A very high-frequency word.
Example
Eu estou em casa.
I am at home.
Mercado
Neutralmehr-KAH-doo•Supermarket / Grocery store
Short for "supermercado." In everyday speech, Brazilians just say "mercado." Some neighborhoods have small ones called "mercearias."
Example
Eu vou ao mercado.
I am going to the supermarket.
Banco
NeutralBAHN-koo•Bank
Also means "bench" — context makes it clear. Brazilian banks have specific hours, usually 10 AM to 4 PM.
Example
Onde fica o banco?
Where is the bank?
Hospital
Neutralohsh-pee-TAL•Hospital
Same word as in English, but with Portuguese pronunciation. The "h" is silent and the stress falls on the last syllable.
Example
O hospital é perto daqui.
The hospital is near here.
Aqui
Neutralah-KEE•Here
One of the most useful location words. "Aqui" points to where you are right now.
Example
Eu moro aqui em São Paulo.
I live here in São Paulo.
Ali
Neutralah-LEE•There
Points to a place nearby that you can see. For something farther away, use "lá" (over there).
Example
O banco é ali na esquina.
The bank is there on the corner.
Perto
NeutralPEHR-too•Near / Close
Used with "de" (of) to say something is near a place. "Perto daqui" means "near here."
Example
O mercado é perto da casa.
The supermarket is near the house.
Longe
NeutralLOHN-zhee•Far
The opposite of "perto." Used the same way: "longe daqui" (far from here).
Example
O hospital é longe daqui?
Is the hospital far from here?
Onde fica ...?
NeutralOHN-djee FEE-kah•Where is ...?
The key phrase for finding places. "Fica" literally means "stays" but is used for fixed locations. Follow it with the place name.
Example
Onde fica o mercado?
Where is the supermarket?
Meeting someone new at a language class
A Portuguese language class in São Paulo. Two students meet for the first time during a break.
Neutral
Lucas
Oi! Tudo bem? Meu nome é Lucas.
Hi! How are you? My name is Lucas.
Standard A1 opening: greeting + "tudo bem?" + self-introduction using "meu nome é."
Maria
Tudo bem! Eu sou Maria. Prazer!
I'm good! I am Maria. Nice to meet you!
Responds to "tudo bem?" with the expected "tudo bem," then introduces herself.
Lucas
Prazer, Maria! Você é de São Paulo?
Nice to meet you, Maria! Are you from São Paulo?
Uses "você é de" to ask about origin — a basic A1 question pattern.
Uses two farewell phrases together — very natural in Portuguese.
This dialogue practices the core A1 introduction pattern: greeting, name exchange, asking about origin, and saying goodbye. Every sentence is short and uses vocabulary from the Greetings section. No past tense, no complex structures.
Ordering at a café
A small padaria (bakery/café) in Belo Horizonte during the morning. A customer orders breakfast.
Neutral
Carlos
Bom dia! O que você quer?
Good morning! What do you want?
The server greets with "bom dia" and asks a direct question. This is normal and polite in a bakery setting.
Ana
Bom dia! Eu quero um café, por favor.
Good morning! I want a coffee, please.
Uses the "eu quero" + noun + "por favor" pattern — the basic A1 ordering structure.
Carlos
Mais alguma coisa?
Anything else?
A set phrase you will hear in every bakery and restaurant. Learn to recognize it.
Ana
Sim, um pão com manteiga.
Yes, a bread with butter.
Adds to the order with "sim" (yes) + the item. Short and clear.
Carlos
São cinco reais.
It's five reais.
States the price using "são" (are) + number + "reais" — the standard pattern for prices.
Ana
Aqui. Obrigada!
Here. Thank you!
"Aqui" (here) while handing over payment. Uses "obrigada" because the speaker is female.
This dialogue practices ordering food at A1 level: using "eu quero" with "por favor," understanding "mais alguma coisa?," saying numbers for prices, and using "obrigado/obrigada." All sentences are under eight words.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Brazilian Portuguese hard to pronounce for English speakers?
Brazilian Portuguese has some sounds that do not exist in English, but it is considered easier to pronounce than European Portuguese. The main challenges are nasal vowels (like the "ão" in "não"), the "lh" sound (like in "filho"), and the "r" at the start of words (which sounds like an English "h"). The good news is that Brazilian Portuguese keeps its vowel sounds clear — unlike European Portuguese, which reduces unstressed vowels. Start with the phonetic guides on this page and practice one sound at a time.
Should I learn Brazilian Portuguese or European Portuguese?
It depends on your goals. If you plan to travel to or work in Brazil, learn Brazilian Portuguese. If your focus is Portugal or Portuguese-speaking African countries, European Portuguese may be more useful. Brazilian Portuguese is spoken by over 200 million people and has a larger body of media, music, and online content. The two varieties are mutually intelligible, so learning one gives you a foundation for understanding the other.
What is the fastest way to start speaking at A1 level?
Focus on memorizing complete phrases rather than individual words. Phrases like "tudo bem?," "eu quero," and "onde fica" are immediately useful in real situations. Practice saying them out loud with the native audio on this page until they feel automatic. At A1, your goal is not to build sentences from scratch — it is to have a small set of ready-made phrases you can use without thinking.
Do I need to worry about verb conjugation at A1?
Not much. At A1, you mostly use verbs in fixed phrases: "eu quero" (I want), "eu tenho" (I have), "eu sou" (I am), "eu estou" (I am). You do not need to learn full conjugation tables yet. Focus on the "eu" (I) and "você" (you) forms of the most common verbs. Broader conjugation becomes important at A2 and B1.
Why do some words have two gender forms, like obrigado and obrigada?
Portuguese is a gendered language — most nouns and adjectives have a masculine and a feminine form. Words ending in "-o" are usually masculine, and words ending in "-a" are usually feminine. "Obrigado" (masculine) and "obrigada" (feminine) agree with the gender of the person speaking, not the person being thanked. At A1, the most important thing is to remember your own form and use it consistently.
How many words do I need to know at A1 level?
Around 500 word families is a reasonable A1 target. That sounds like a lot, but many of those words are things you already recognize — "café," "hospital," "professor," "banana." The 60+ phrases on this page cover the most essential building blocks for greetings, numbers, food, family, and getting around. Master these first, and you will have a solid foundation for everyday survival situations.
Ready for A2?
At A2, you move beyond memorized phrases and start combining words into your own simple sentences. You will learn to talk about your daily routine, describe what happened yesterday, make plans for tomorrow, and handle short social conversations without freezing up.
Practice These A1 Phrases with Native Brazilian Audio
Every phrase on this page comes with native audio recorded by a Brazilian speaker. Tap any phrase to hear the pronunciation, then repeat until it feels natural. Start building your Portuguese one phrase at a time.
