What is one of the main things that a foreign visitor can do to make the local people feel touched and happy? Of course, talk to them in their native language. As a tourist, you don’t not need to know the language fluently, but several phrases and ability to maintain some basic communication would beyond doubt cause admiration and respect towards you. Be sure that the Portuguese people will truly appreciate all your efforts.
The human nature tends not to do anything if there is no interest, and in case of Portuguese there are numerous benefits. Firstly, it is the 6th most widely spoken language in the world, and is the official language of 8 countries, including Brazil and Mozambique. By learning some Portuguese you will be able to deal with people living on four continents. Over 220 million people speak Portuguese, so you don’t need this Neo-Latin Language just for stunning Portugal.
The features of Portuguese language:
- Portuguese has 26 letters.
- Portuguese is a Romance Language and is among the top five romance languages. On this score, it is one of the best languages to express love and propose, of course if you are traveling with your beloved one or having found your sweetheart in romantic Lisbon.
- Portuguese includes many words of Arabic origin. This has to do with the history of Portugal.
- The Portuguese of Brazil and the Portuguese of Portugal have the same basis but they also differ. The difference between these two languages is the same as the difference between the American English and the British English.
- Portuguese has a complicated phonetic structure. It has 9 oral vowels, 5 nasal vowels and 2 semi-vowels (j and w). It also includes many diphthongs and even tripthongs.
- Portuguese “lh” corresponds to Spanish ll; “nh” corresponds to Spanish ñ, “rr” corresponds to English h, “ch” corresponds to English sh, “ç” corresponds to English ss.
Below are several Portuguese phrases that might be helpful when visiting Lisbon restaurants, amazing attractions and large and spectacular parks.
- Bom Dia! Hello/Good morning.
- Bom Tarde! Good afternoon.
- Boa Noite! Good evening/Good night.
- Adeus. Goodbye
- Por favor. Please.
- (Muito) Obrigado. Thank you (very much).
- Bem-vindo. Welcome.
- Sim/Não. Yes/No.
- Prazer em conhecê-lo. Nice to meet you.
- Como o senhor se chama? What is your name? (formal)
- Qual é seu nome? What is your name? (informal)
- Me chamo… My name is…
- Como o senhor se chama? What is your name? (formal)
- De onde você é? Where are you from? (informal)
- Eu sou de… I’m from…
- Fala inglês? Do you speak English?
- Desculpe, não falo português. I’m sorry, I don’t speak Portuguese.
- Preciso de ajuda. I need help.
- Onde é o lavabo, faz favor? Where is the toilet, please?
- Que horas são? What time is it?
- É uma hora. It’s one.
- Como está o tempo hoje? How is the weather today?
- Está bonito / feio / frio / quente / ensolarado / ventando / chovendo / nevando / nublado. It’s nice / bad / cold / hot/ sunny / windy / raining / snowing / cloudy.
Learn these simple phrases and feel more confident not only in picture-perfect Lisbon and the rest of Portuguese cities, but also in many other tourist famous and friendly countries in the world.
