My Portuguese

Unit 01 The Most Common Portuguese Phrases

Do you know what to say at a Graduation? Congratulations!

Have you ever been speechless at a Funeral Service? Im Sorry...

According to where, when or whom you are with, some phrases are likely to be said or
heard. Have you ever heard the following?
Will you marry me?

One moment, please.

Have you got change for a 50?

How do you spell your last name?

Is there a bathroom around here?

Do you want to leave a message?

What time does the next bus leave?

Now you may kiss the bride!

I still remember the first and only time I heard this last sentence. What an
unforgettable evening!
Whether you are dating a Portuguese speaker, learning the language for business
purposes, or planning to spend your next vacation in Brazil, these sentences will surely
help you improve your communication skills.

Greetings
Useful Expressions
Language Help
Directions
Introductions
Meeting People
Money
Going Shopping
Taxi

Airport
Bus Station
Hotel
Restaurant
On The Phone
Special Occasions
Goodbye
Question Words
Time Expressions

A. Greetings / Cumprimentos

01
02
03
04
05
06
07
08
09
10

English
Good morning. How are you today?
How are you?
What time is it?
What day is it today?
Where are you going?
Where do you live?
Where do you work?
Whats your phone number?
How many siblings do you have?
Is everything all right?

Portugus
Bom dia. Como ests hoje?
Como ests?
Que horas so?
Que dia hoje?
Onde vais?
Onde moras?
Onde trabalhas?
Qual o teu telefone?
Quantos irmos tens?
Tudo bem contigo?

B. Useful Expressions / Expresses teis

11
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13
14
15
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17
17
18
19
20

English
I think so.
I dont think so.
I believe so.
I still dont know. / I dont know yet.
Thank you very much.
Youre welcome.
Any time.
Excuse me?
Im sorry.
One moment, please.
No problem.

Portugus
Acho que sim.
Acho que no.
Acredito que sim.
Ainda no sei.
Muito obrigado.
De nada.
Sempre s ordens.
Com licena?
Desculpe.
Um momento, por favor.
No h problema.

C. Language Help / Ajuda na Linguagem

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24
25
26
27

English
Can you repeat that, please?
Sorry. I didnt understand...
Can you speak slower, please?
How do you say pen in Portuguese?
What does lever mean?
Can you say it again, please?
Say it one more time, please.

Portugus
Pode repetir, por favor?
Desculpe, no entendi...
Pode falar mais devagar, por favor?
Como se diz pen em portugus?
O que quer dizer lever?
Pode repetir, por favor?
Repita mais uma vez, por favor.

D. Directions / Informaes

32

English
Can you tell me where the nearest post
office is?
Excuse me. Is there a drugstore
nearby?
How can I get to the bus station?
Where is the bus stop? Is it far from
here?
Turn left. / Turn right. Go straight ahead.

33
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35
36

Its right on the corner.

May I use the bathroom?
Sure. Its upstairs.
Where can I exchange some dollars?

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29
30
31

Portugus
Pode-me dizer onde fica o correio mais
prximo?
Com licena. H alguma farmcia aqui
perto?
Como que eu chego estao?
Onde fica a paragem de autocarro?
longe daqui?
Vire esquerda. / Vire direita. Siga
em frente.
Fica j na esquina.
Posso usar a casa de banho?
Claro. no andar de cima.
Onde posso trocar alguns dlares?

E. Introductions / Apresentaes

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43
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45
46
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48
49

English
Whats your name?
My name is Antnio.
Let me introduce you to some friends...
This is my boyfriend / husband.
This is my girlfriend / wife.
Nice to meet you.
Nice to meet you, too.
Do you speak English / Portuguese?
Just / Only a little bit.
Where are you from?
I am American.
Are you Portuguese?
I am from Canada.

Portugus
Como te chamas?
Chamo-me Antnio.
Deixa-me apresentar-te uns amigos...
Este o meu namorado / marido.
Esta a minha namorada / esposa.
Prazer em conhec-lo (a).
O prazer todo meu.
Falas ingls / portugus?
S um bocadinho.
De onde s?
Sou americano (a).
s portugus (a)?
Sou do Canad.

F. Meeting People / Conhecendo Pessoas

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52
53

English
What do you do?
How old are you?
How are you gonna pay?
Where do you work?

Portugus
O que fazes?
Quantos anos tens?
Como vais pagar?
Onde trabalhas?

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56
57
58
59
60
61
62

How long have you been in Brazil?

Where do you live?
When is your birthday?
How old is he?
Would you like to go out with me?
Do you wanna dance?
Lets go to the movies?
Are you married?
Do you have a boyfriend?

H quanto tempo ests no Brasil?

Onde moras?
Quando o teu aniversrio?
Qual a idade dele?
Queres sair comigo?
Vamos danar?
Vamos ao cinema?
s casada?
Tens namorado?

G. Money / Dinheiro

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64
65
66

English

Portugus

Where can I exchange some money?

Do you have change for a 50? (fifty)
Whats the exchange rate today?
Can you cash a check for me?

Onde posso trocar dinheiro?

Tem troco para 50? (cinquenta)
Qual a taxa de converso para hoje?
Podes depositar um cheque para mim?

H. Going Shopping / Fazendo Compras

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69
70
71
73
74
75
76
77

English
Can I help you?
Thank you. I am just looking...
How much is that wallet?
Id like to see some cellphones...
How much is that one?
Its expensive!
How much is the discount?
Have you got a cheaper one?
I want to pay in cash.
Do you know where I can find one?

Will you pay with a credit card or in

cash?
79 Can I pay with a credit card?
80 I will take that one.
81 Do you want the receipt?
78

Portugus
Posso ajud-lo?
Obrigado (a), s estou a olhar...
Quanto custa esta carteira?
Gostava de ver telemveis...
Quanto custa aquele ali?
caro!
De quanto o desconto?
Tem algum mais barato?
Quero pagar em dinheiro.
Sabe onde posso encontrar um?
Vai pagar com carto ou em dinheiro?
Posso pagar com carto?
Vou levar este aqui.
Vai querer recibo?

I. Taxi / Txi

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83
84
85
86

89
90
91
92
93

English
Where is the check-in stand?
Can I have a roundtrip ticket to Miami,
please?
What is the departure time?
Which platform? Whats the platform #?
Whats the gate number?
How do you spell your name?
All passengers for flight RJ104 please
proceed to gate 13.

Portugus
Onde fica o balco de check-in?
Um bilhete de ida e volta para Miami,
por favor.
Qual o horrio de partida do vo?
Qual o nmero da plataforma?
Qual o nmero do porto de embarque?
Como se soletra o teu nome?
Todos os passageiros do vo RJ104
queiram se dirigir ao porto 13.

K. Bus Station / Rodoviria

English
94 When does the next bus come?
95 What time does the next bus to Rio
leave?
96 Whats the schedule to So Paulo?

Portugus
Quando vem o prximo autocarro?
A que horas sai o prximo autocarro para
o Rio?
Qual o horrio para So Paulo?

Is there a vacancy to Boavista on the 3

PM bus?
98 How much is a ticket to Braga?
99 Is there any cheaper way to get there?

Ainda h lugar no autocarro das 3 para a

Boavista?
Quanto custa o bilhete para Braga?
Existe outro meio mais barato para
l chegar?
Um bilhete para Recife, por favor.
Quantas horas de viagem?
Quero um bilhete de ida e volta.
Tem lugar prximo da janela?
Tem vaga no prximo autocarro?
Corredor ou janela?
Vamos descer na prxima paragem!

97

100
101
102
103
104
105
106

Portugus
Quanto a tarifa at Lisboa?
Quero ir ao Hotel Bom Jesus.
Vire na prxima direita, por favor.
Vire na segunda esquerda, por favor.
Vire direita.
Quanto a tarifa?

J. Airport / Aeroporto

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88

English
How much is the fare to Lisbon?
I want to go to the Bom Jesus Hotel.
Turn on the next right, please.
Turn on the second left, please.
Turn right.
How much is the fare?

A ticket to Recife, please.

How long is the trip?
I want a roundtrip ticket.
Is there a seat by the window?
Is there a vacancy on the next bus?
Aisle seat or window seat?
Lets get off on the next stop!

L. Hotel / Hotel

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110
111
112

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114
115
116
117
118
119
120

English
Good morning. I have booked a room.
How much is it per day?
Do you have a double room?
Whats the room number?
I will stay until Wednesday.
Hello. Can you give me a wakeup call
at six please?
Im staying at the room 104.
Any messages for room 104?
Can you get me a cab / taxi?
May I leave it in the safe?
Good morning. The bill for 104, please.
Single or double?
Im sorry. Its full.
Id like a single room and a double room.

Portugus
Bom dia. Eu reservei um quarto.
Quanto custa por dia?
Tem quarto de casal?
Qual o nmero do quarto?
Vou ficar at Quarta-feira.
Ol. Pode-me acordar s seis, por favor?
Estou no quarto 104.
Alguma mensagem para o quarto 104?
Pode-me chamar um txi, por favor?
Posso deixar isto no cofre?
Bom dia. A conta do 104, por favor.
Solteiro ou casal?
Desculpe, mas est lotado.
Quero um quarto de solteiro e outro de
casal.

M. Restaurant / Restaurante

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123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139

English
Good morning. A table for 6 please.
Whats the special today?
I will try...
How would you like your steak?
Well-done, please.
I want it medium-rare.
What kind of juice do you have?
Mineral water, please.
Do you have bottled-pop?
A beer, please.
How long will it take?
Do you want a doggy bag?
Im in a bit of a hurry.
I am a vegetarian.
That looks delicious...
Is it takeout?
Anything else, sir?
Could you bring me another knife?
Could you bring me another glass?

Portugus
Bom dia. Uma mesa para 6, por favor.
Qual o prato do dia?
Vou querer...
Como quer o seu bife?
Bem passado, por favor.
Pode ser no ponto.
Que sumos tm?
Uma gua mineral, por favor.
Tm refrigerante de litro?
Uma cerveja, por favor.
Fica pronto em quanto tempo?
Quer que embrulhe para a viagem?
Estou com um pouco de pressa.
Eu sou vegetariano.
Aquilo parece delicioso...
para levar?
Mais alguma coisa, senhor?
Pode me trazer outra faca?
Pode me trazer mais um copo?

140
141
142
143
144
145

Can you pass the salt please?

Pass the sugar, please.
Rare of well done?
This meal is cold.
The bill, please.
Waiter the bill, please!

Pode me passar o sal, por favor?

Passa-me o acar, por favor.
Bem passado ou mal passado?
Esta comida est fria.
A conta, por favor.
Garom, a conta, por favor!

N. On The Phone / Ao Telefone

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149

150
151
152

153

154

155
156

157

158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172

English
May I use the telephone?
Can I make collect call?
Is it a local call?
Hello, this is John. Id like to talk to Mr.
Francis...
Hold on.
One moment, please.
He has just left... Do you want to leave a
message?
She hasnt arrived yet. Can you call
back in 10 (ten) minutes?
He is on the phone. Can you wait on the
line?
Hello. Extension 4243 please.
Can you transfer me to extension 4243,
please?
He is not in at the moment. Do you want
to leave a message?
Do you Want to leave a message?
Can you take a message?
May I take a message?
No, thanks. Ill call again later.
Ill call again later, thanks.
Hello. Id like to talk to the manager.
Who would like to speak with him / her?
Hold on a minute. Ill call him/her
Whats your name, sir? (Madam)
Tell him its Davids friend.
Hello. May I talk to Ann?
Its her!
May I talk to the manager?
Youre talking to him.
Its him. How can I help you?

Portugus
Posso usar o telefone?
Posso fazer uma chamada a cobrar?
A chamada local?
Estou, fala o John. Gostaria de falar com o
Senhor Francis...
Aguarde um momento.
Um momento, por favor.
Acabou de sair... Quer deixar
mensagem?
Ela ainda no chegou. Pode voltar a
telefonar dentro de 10 (dez)minutos?
Ele est ao telefone. Pode aguardar
na linha?
Estou sim. Ramal 4243, por favor.
Pode transferir a minha chamada para o
Ramal 4243, por favor?
Ele no est presente no momento...
Quer deixar mensagem?
Quer deixar mensagem?
Pode tomar nota de uma mensagem?
Posso anotar alguma mensagem?
No, obrigado. Voltarei a ligar mais tarde.
Voltarei a ligar mais tarde. Obrigado (a).
Estou sim. Queria falar com o gerente.
Quem anuncio?
S um minuto. Vou chamar...
Como se chama, senhor? (Senhora)
Diz-lhe que o amigo do David.
Estou! Posso falar com a Ana?
ela!
Posso falar com o gerente?
Est a falar com ele.
Sou eu mesmo, como posso ajud-lo?

173
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175
176
177
178

179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187

Which number did you dial?

Its 123 456 7890.
Sorry. Wrong number.
Wrong number. Im sorry.
What time will he come back?
Do you know what time she will be
back?
Can you tell me when she is back?
Ask him to return the call.
Its dialing... but nobodys answering.
The line is busy.
Ive just called. Its busy.
Speak louder, please!
Could you please speak a little louder?
Ive been calling, but I cant get through.
The call fell through.

Que nmero marcou?

Aqui do 123 456 7890.
Desculpe, foi engano.
Nmero errado, desculpe.
A que horas ele volta?
Sabe a que horas ela vai voltar?
Pode me informar quando ela voltar?
Pede-lhe para me devolver a chamada.
Est a tocar... mas ningum atende.
A linha est ocupada.
Acabei de ligar. Est ocupado...
Fala mais alto, por favor!
Pode falar mais alto um pouco por favor?
S chama, ningum atende.
Caiu a chamada.

O. Special Occasions / Ocasies Especiais

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190
191
192
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200

Portugus
Boa sorte!
Boa viagem!
Boas frias!
Bom apetite.
Divirtam-se!
Espero que melhores...
Felicidades!
Feliz aniversrio!
Feliz Ano Novo!
Feliz Natal!
Igualmente, obrigado.
Parabns!
Os meus psames.
Sade!

P. Saying Goodbye / Despedidas

201
202
203
204

English
Good luck!
Have a nice trip!
Have a nice vacation!
Bon appetit.
Have fun!
I hope you get better...
Good luck!
Happy Birthday!
Happy New Year!
Merry Christmas!
The same to you.
Congratulations!
Im sorry.
Bless you!

English
See you later!
See you tomorrow!
See you next time.
Till next time.

Portugus
At logo!
At amanh!
At prxima.
At mais.

205
206
207
208

Have a nice weekend.

Have a nice trip!
Have a nice weekend.
Good bye.

Bom fim de semana.

Tenha uma boa viagem!
Tenha um bom fim de semana.
Adeus.

Q. Question Words / Palavras e Frases Interrogativas

209
209
210
211
212
213
214
215
216
217
218
219
220
221
222
223
224
225
226

English
At what time?
To where?
What?
With whom?
From where?
Whose?
Where?
What?
To where?
To whom?
Why?
Why not?
Which one?
When?
How much does it cost?
How much is it?
How many?
Who?
About whom?

Portugus
A que horas?
Para onde?
Como?
Com quem?
De onde?
De quem?
Onde?
O qu?
Para onde?
Para quem?
Porqu?
Por que no?
Qual?
Quando?
Quanto custa?
Quanto ?
Quantos? Quantas?
Quem?
Sobre quem?

R. Time Expressions / Expresses Temporais

227
228
229
230
231
232
233
234
235
236

English
In the evening
In the afternoon
Now
Some years ago
A couple of days ago
Tomorrow
Tomorrow morning
The day before yesterday
Before
Sometimes

Portugus
noite
tarde
Agora
Alguns anos atrs
Alguns dias atrs
Amanh
Amanh de manh
Anteontem
Antes
s vezes

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239
240
241
242
243
244
245
246
247
248
249
250
251
252
253
253
254
255
256
257
258
259
260
261
262
263
264
265
266
267
268
269
270
271
272
273
274
275

Early in the morning

Early
In a couple of weeks
In the morning
Every now and then
After
The day after tomorrow
Every other day
Next Sunday
Tonight
A long time ago
Today
Tonight
This morning
Nowadays
Later
Last month
Very late
In (the) Spring
Next week
Next time
On Christmas Eve
Last year
On the next day
In (the) Winter
In (the) Autumn / Fall
In (the) Summer
Never
Yesterday
Last night
A bit later
Some days before
Last Saturday
Last week
Next week
Two weeks ago
Always
Late
Too late
Three years ago

Bem cedinho
Cedo
Daqui a duas semanas
De manh
De vez em quando
Depois
Depois de amanh
Qualquer outro dia
Domingo que vem
Esta noite
H muito tempo
Hoje
Hoje noite
Hoje de manh
Hoje em dia
Mais tarde
Ms passado
Muito tarde
Na primavera
Na prxima semana
Na prxima vez
Na vspera de Natal
No ano passado
No dia seguinte
No inverno
No outono
No vero
Nunca
Ontem
Ontem noite
Pouco tempo depois
Poucos dias antes
Sbado passado
Semana passada
Semana que vem
H duas semanas
Sempre
Tarde
Tarde demais
Trs anos atrs

Unit 02 Cognates: Portuguese at First Sight

How many Portuguese words do you know?

Check these cognates... You know more than you think!

Cognates are words that have the same origin or that are related and similar in some
way. They can usually be deduced without any previous knowledge of the target
language. Check these examples they are all in Portuguese:

capital
plural
tropical
dicionrio

geral
legal
aniversrio
glossrio

original
visual
contrrio
milionrio

There are about 1600 of them between Portuguese and English! In order to make it
easier for you, I've organized them into 4 groups:

Nouns
Words that refer to people, places, things, events, substances or qualities: Braga,
dessert, branch.
Adjectives
Words that describe nouns or pronouns: tender, little, old.
Verbs
Words that describe actions, conditions or experiences: run, type, translate, print.
Adverbs
Words which describe or give more information about verbs, adjectives, adverbs or
phrases: daily, urgently.
Here they come:

NOUNS SUBSTANTIVOS
English

Portugus

1. -al = -al

animal
hospital
moral
2. -ty = -dade
capacity
eternity
flexibility

capacidade
eternidade
flexibilidade

3. -ism = -isma, ismo

atheism
atesmo
criticism
criticismo
feminism
feminismo
4. -ist = -ista
dentist
humorist
tourist

dentista
humorista
turista

5. -nce, -ance = -ncia, ana

abstinence
abstinncia
patience
pacincia
perseverance
perseverana
6. -or = -or
actor
color
favor

animal
hospital
moral

ator
cor
favor

ADJECTIVES ADJETIVOS
English

Portugus

7. -al = -al
real
sensual
virtual

real
sensual
virtual

8. -ant, ent = -ant, ent

excellent
excelente
important
importante
patient
paciente

English

Portugus

9. -ary = -rio, ria

adversary
adversrio
arbitrary
arbitrrio
contrary
contrrio

10. -ic = -ico, ica

economic
econmico
metallic
metlico
pacific
pacfico
11. -id = -ido, ida
lucid
splendid
vivid

lcido
esplndido
vvido

12. -ile = -il, vel

automobile
automvel
mobile
mvel
projectile
projtil

13. -ive = -ivo, iva

adoptive
descriptive
imaginative

adotivo
descritivo
imaginativo

14. -ible, able = -vel, vel

accessible
acessvel
admirable
admirvel
convertible
conversvel
15. -ous = -oso, -osa
delicious
delicioso
famous
famoso
vicious
vicioso

VERBS VERBOS
English

Portugus

16. -ate = -ar

celebrate
create
donate

celebrar
criar
doar

17. e = -ar

dance
complete
imagine

danar
completar
imaginar

18. -ult, ent, ort = -ultar, entar, ortar

comment
comentar
consult
consultar
export
exportar

19. -fy = -ficar

amplify
amplificar
qualify
qualificar
simplify
simplificar

ADVERBS ADVRBIOS

English

Portugus

20. -ly = -mente

creatively
criativamente
separately
separadamente
usually
usualmente

Lets see some examples?

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20

Portugus
Foste ao hospital?
A eternidade muito tempo...
O que achas do feminismo?
Ele um bom dentista.
Ela tem muita pacincia...
Pode me fazer um favor?
Acredita, real.
A comida estava excelente.
O nosso adversrio trabalha muito.
Deve haver uma soluo pacfica.
Ela ainda est lcida aos 90!
O projtil nunca foi encontrado.
Eles tm trs filhos adotivos.
Este programa incrvel!
Est delicioso!
Vamos celebrar a ocasio!
Vamos imaginar uma forma melhor?
Ns exportamos para o Japo.
Deverias te qualificar melhor.
Ele simplesmente no quer trabalhar.

English
Did you go to the hospital?
Eternity is a long time...
What do you think about feminism?
He is a good dentist.
She has much patience...
Can you do me a favor?
Believe me, it is real.
The food was excellent.
Our adversary works hard.
There must be a pacific solution.
She is still lucid at 90!
The projectile was never found.
They have three adoptive children.
This program is incredible!
Its delicious!
Lets celebrate the occasion!
Lets imagine a better way?
We export to Japan.
You should qualify yourself better.
He simply doesnt want to work.

Unit 03 The 100 Most Common Portuguese Verbs

Verbs Are the Base of Communication.

If You Master Them, You Can Master Any Language

Verbs are the backbone of any language. They describe actions, conditions or
experiences. By using them, you can always make your point.

I found this true when I took a Sign Language Course1. All I needed to do was learn the
main verb of any phrase, put it in the past or in the future with only one more gesture
and... Bingo! What I wanted to get across became clear.

Here you will find the 100 Most Common Portuguese Verbs, divided into groups of 10.
Each verb comes with its respective translation and an example phrase. The irregular
ones are italicized.

Follow these tips to make the most out of your time:

Print the 10 groups cut out each of them and keep them in your pocket during the
day. Whenever you have free time, check over your cards. You will be surprised with
how much you will learn, as you turn spare moments into productive time.

Translate the phrases into English.

Rewrite the phrases, replacing one word at a time in each phrase replacing verb by
verb, noun by noun, and so on.

01
02
03
04
05
06
07
08
09
10

English
arrive arrived
ask asked
be was / were
begin began
break broke
bring brought
buy bought
call called
can could
choose chose

Portuguese
chegar
pedir, perguntar
ser, estar
comear, iniciar
partir
trazer
comprar
chamar, telefonar
poder
escolher

Example
Ex: A que horas chegas a casa?
Why dont you ask your father?
I want to be your friend.
When did it all begin?
Dont break my heart.
Can you please bring me a glass?
Where did you buy your car?
Call me later, please.
Can I help you?
Choose the right path.

A System of hand and body movements representing words, which is used by and to people who cannot
hear or talk.
20

Unit 03 The 100 Most Common Portuguese Verbs

English
clean cleaned
close closed
come came
cook cooked
cry cried
cut cut
dance danced
date dated
depend (ed)
die died

Portugus
limpar
fechar
vir
cozinhar
chorar, gritar
cortar
danar
namorar
depender
morrer

Exemplo
Its not very clean.
Close the door, please.
Could you come earlier?
Do you know how to cook?
Why was she crying again?
How did he cut his hand?
Do you know how to dance?
Are you dating him?
Do you depend on your parents?
When did your grandfather die?

21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30

English
do did
dreamdreamed
drink drank
drive drove
eat ate
fall fell
feel felt
find found
finish finished
fly flew

Portugus
fazer
sonhar
beber
conduzir
comer
cair
sentir
encontrar
acabar, terminar
voar

Exemplo
What do you do?
Did you sleep well?
Do you drink beer?
Do you know how to drive?
Lets eat!
How could he fall?
Are you feeling better now?
I need to find a better job!
Lets finish it now?
She is always flying.

31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40

English
follow followed
forget forgot
get got
get up got up
give gave
go went
grow grew
have had
hear heard
help helped

Portugus
seguir
esquecer
conseguir, obter
levantar
dar, doar
ir
crescer, cultivar
ter
escutar, ouvir
ajudar, socorrer

Exemplo
Follow me as I follow Him.
I will never forget that morning...
Is he getting fat again?
What time do you usually get up?
Give me your hand.
Where do you want to go tonight?
Everybody needs to grow.
Once I had a dream.
Can you hear me?
Help me, please!

11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20

21

Unit 03 The 100 Most Common Portuguese Verbs

41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50

English
hope hoped
jump jumped
keep kept
kiss kissed
know knew
learn learned
leave left
lend lent
let let
like liked

Portugus
esperar
pular, saltar
guardar, manter
beijar
conhecer, saber
aprender
sair, deixar, partir
emprestar
deixar, permitir
gostar

Exemplo
I hope you get this job.
Lets jump together!
Keep the change.
Lets just kiss and say goodbye.
Did you know my father?
I want to learn Portuguese!
Dont leave me alone!
Can you lend me some money?
Let me try again.
Do you like your work?

51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60

English
listen listened
live lived
look looked
lose lost
love loved
make made
marry married
meet met
miss missed
need needed

Portugus
ouvir, escutar
viver
olhar, ver
perder
amar
fazer
casar
falhar, sentir falta
precisar

Exemplo
Are you listening to me?
Where do you live?
Look at me now.
I lost my wallet yesterday.
I love you.
I cant make it all alone...
When did you get married?
Nice to meet you.
Why did you miss the last class?
Call me if you need some help.

61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70

English
open opened
pay paid
play played
prefer (ed)
put put
read read
receive (ed)
remember (ed)
run ran
say said

Portugus
abrir
pagar
jogar, tocar
preferir
pr, colocar
ler
receber
lembrar
correr
dizer

Exemplo
What time does it open?
Who is going to pay for it?
Lets play this afternoon again?
I prefer to live on my own.
Put your hand in the hand of God.
Do you like to read?
How much did you receive?
I cant remember his last name...
Lets run away!
What did you say?

encontrar, conhecer

22

Unit 03 The 100 Most Common Portuguese Verbs

71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80

English
see saw
sell sold
send sent
sing sang
sit sat
sleep slept
speak spoke
spell spelt
spend spent
start started

Portugus
ver
vender
mandar, enviar
cantar
sentar (se)
dormir
falar
soletrar
gastar
comear, iniciar

Exemplo
I cant see you anymore...
Do you want to sell your house?
Send her flowers!
Do you sing in the bathroom?
Sit down, please.
Did you sleep well last night?
Do you speak English?
How do you spell your last name?
How much can you spend?
What time did the show start?

Portugus
ficar
parar
estudar
tomar, levar
falar, conversar
contar, dizer
haver, existir, ter
pensar, achar
viajar
virar

Exemplo

81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90

English
stay stayed
stop stopped
study studied
take took
talk talked
tell told
there is are
think thought
travel traveled
turn turned

English

Portugus
entender
visitar
esperar
acordar, despertar
andar, caminhar
querer
lavar
ver, assistir

Why didnt you stop them?

When did you study there?
Lets take the next bus!
I dont want to talk about it.
Why dont you tell your mother?
There is a place for everyone...
What do you think about it?
Did you travel last year?
Turn right, please.

91
92
93
94
95
96
96
98
99
100

understand ood

visit visited
wait waited
wake up woke up
walk walked
want wanted
wash washed
watch watched
work worked
write wrote

trabalhar, funcionar

escrever

Exemplo
I dont understand your father.
Would you like to visit her today?
Wait a moment, please.
What time did you wake up?
You need to walk daily.
I dont want it anymore.
I dont want it anymore.
Did you watch TV last night?
Are you working there yet?
Do you prefer to write or to read?
23

Unit 04 The 100 Most Common Portuguese Words

In the past, words used to be worthier than documents.

Nowadays, they are only words, nothing else...

Words. By and through them, huge empires were built or destroyed.

They represent a powerful link between ideas and actions. Their potential is such that in
the Creation report we read: And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.2
Nowadays, His Words keep inspiring the mankind. And changes are still made, be it in
the physical, emotional or spiritual field.

If a word said at the proper time may create worlds, save lives, celebrate weddings, or
absolve someone from a punishment, why not learn the most common of them in
Portuguese?

The ones here included represent more than 50% of any conversation and, adding the
Cognates and the Common Portuguese Phrases, quite soon you will manage the basic
vocabulary to communicate efficiently. Let me repeat the tips from the Unit 01:

Print the 10 groups cut out each of them and keep them in your pocket during the
day. When you have a free time, check them out. You will get surprised with your
progress reserving a specific time to study.

Rewrite each phrase in Portuguese, replacing a word by phrase. But keep in mind:
replace a verb by a verb, a noun by a noun, and so on.

01
02
03
04
05
06
07
08
09
10

English
a, an
about
after
again
all
almost
also, too
always
and
any

Portugus
Example
um, uma
I have an idea!
sobre, a respeito de
W hat do you kno w about lo ve?
depois, aps
See you af ter the class.
de novo, novamente
Let me try a gain!
todo, toda, todos (as) Do you work all the week?
quase
W e are almost there!
tambm
Nice to meet you, too...
sempre
I will alwa ys remember you.
e
She kissed her and wa lked a wa y.
qualquer, nenhum
Do you have an y quest ion?

Genesis 1:3
24

Unit 04 The 100 Most Common Portuguese Words

Ingls
beautiful
because
before
big
body
but
by
city
day
down

Portugus
bonito (a)
porque
antes, perante
grande
corpo
mas, porm
por
cidade
dia
para baixo

Example
Your siste r is very beautif ul!
I bought it because I wanted.
Come back bef ore midnight, OK?
I want to buy a b ig ice c ream...
Sun lotion protects you r bod y.
Im sorry, but I think you re wron g.
That book was written b y a B ra zilian.
W hats you r f avorite c it y?
Ha ve a nice da y!
Dont look down!

21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30

Ingls
every
everybody
everyday
everything
everywhere
far
first
for
forever
friend

Portugus
todo, cada, toda
toda a gente, todos
todos os dias
tudo
em todos os lugares
longe, distante
primeiro (a)
por, para
para sempre
amigo (a)

Example
Every love is the first one.
Everybody needs somebody.
Would you like to study everyday?
Money isnt everything. Want to bet?
Love is everywhere.
Do you live far from here?
This is my first visit to Rio.
Theres a phone message for you.
Families can be forever.
Thats what friends are for!

31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40

Ingls
from
good
happy
he
her
here
him
his
how
I

Portugus
de (origem)
bom, boa
feliz
ele
ela, dela
aqui
ele, dele
dele
como
eu

Example
Where are you from?
Its so good to see you after all this time!
Your daughter looks so happy.
He couldnt care less.
I dont know why she quit her job.
I've lived here for about three years.
Why dont you forgive him?
Have you seen his new girlfriend?
How are you doing?
I love you.

11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20

25

Unit 04 The 100 Most Common Portuguese Words

41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50

Ingls
if
in
last
many
me
more
most
much
my
near

Portugus
se
em
ltimo (a)
muitos
me, mim
mais
o (a) mais, maioria
muito
meu, minha
perto, prximo

Example
If I were you, I would do the same!
Ive got something in my eye.
Whats your last name?
We have many reasons to celebrate.
Do you remember me?
Listen more, and talk less!
Most of my friends study English.
Thank you very much.
Did you know my father?
Is there a bank near here?

51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60

Ingls
never
new
no, not
now
of
on
only
or
other
our

Portugus
nunca
novo (a)
no
agora
de
no, na
apenas, somente
ou
outro, outra (s)
nosso, nossa (s)

Example
Ive never been to the USA.
I need to buy a new car.
Please, dont tell anybody.
Thanks, Im not hungry now.
Why did you change the color of your hair?
Do you go to church on Sundays?
I was only trying to help.
Are you listening to me or not?
When did you first meet each other?
We bought our house in 1994.

61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70

Ingls
out
people
please
price
same
she
so
something
sometimes
still / yet

Portugus
fora, sada
povo, pessoas
por favor
preo
o mesmo, a mesma
ela
to, ento
algo, alguma coisa
s vezes
ainda

Example
Get out!
Smart people study foreign languages.
Could you please pass me the salt?
He wants to be a polyglot at any price!
We were wearing exactly the same dress!
She is my best friend.
Thank you for being so patient.
Is there something you would like to say?
Sometimes its best not to say anything.
I am still hungry.

26

Unit 04 The 100 Most Common Portuguese Words

71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80

Ingls
than
that
the
their
them
there
they
thing
this
time

Portugus
do que
que, isso, aquilo
o, a, os, as
deles, delas
eles (as), deles, (as)
l
eles, elas
coisa
este, esta, isto
tempo, hora, vez

Example
I spent more than I expected to.
Whats that?
Honey, can you bring me the towel?
I cant forget their kindness.
Why dont you visit them once in a while?
We will never get there in time.
They are improving their pronunciation.
Things are getting better!
This is the one I want.
I want to spend more time with my family.

81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90

Ingls
to
today
under
us
usually
very
way
we
what
when

Portugus
para
hoje
sob, por baixo
ns, nos
geralmente
muito
jeito, modo, caminho
ns
o que
quando

Example
Ill have to tell your father.
Whats the date today?
He hid under the bed.
Why dont you come with us?
He usually gets home at about noon.
Thank you very much.
We must find a way.
Why dont we try it again later?
What time is it?
When is your birthday?

Ingls
where
which
who
why
with
without
word
yes
you
your

Portugus
onde
qual
que, quem
por que, por qu
com
sem
palavra
sim
tu, voc, vocs
seu, sua, seus, suas

Example
Where do you live?
Which of your parents do you feel closer to?
Whos your best friend?
Why are you studying English?
I live with my parents.
I cant live without you.
I can still remember his last words...
Do you like Brazilian food? Yes, I love it.
The more I see you, the more I want you.
Its your last chance...

91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100

27

Unit 05 Flash Cards: The Memory Back Up

With These Flash Cards, You Will Find Enough Time to Study
Portuguese Even Trolls and Snowmen Can Do It!

Flash Cards. Simple cards with a word or picture on them. They are very useful in
memorizing and learning foreign languages.
Here you will find 100 examples of Flash Cards with verbs and numbers in Portuguese.
Most of the verbs are in the infinitive form (the ones ending in R). For space
constraints, Ive included some in the present simple tense.
Have fun with your friends, family or students. Consider the following tips:
1. Print the 100 cards and cut them out.
2. Give some cards to each player, and make a pile with the remaining ones, similar to
a card game.
3. Each player must pronounce (or spell) the verb, ask a question or make a math
exercise whose result should be the number shown in the card.
4. The next player answers the question asked for the former one, and set his/her own
card. The player who doesnt know how to ask/answer a question, gets one more
card.
5. At the end of the turn, the player who set the card with the greatest number get all of
them and keep them for the final counting.
6. When someone runs out of cards, the game is over.
7. The winner is the one who scored more points.
Obviously, the rules can be changed at the players wish especially if these
instructions seem too confusing!
Only two rules should never be ignored:
1. Growing comes through activity. There is no growing physical or mental without
effort, and effort requires work. Calvin Coolidge
2. Remember that Play hard! always begins with Play.
28

gua

po

beber

um

trs

cinco

cedo

trabalhar

bem

sete

7
filhos

dinheiro

brincar

oito

dizer
seis

aquele ali

6
este aqui

comprar

querer

dormir

adeus

nove

teus pais

tudo

o nome

uma palavra

ter

10

entender

soletrar
dez

11

onze

doze

12

conhecer

quatro

ol

teu pai

falar

ele

devagar

dois

alto

de nadar

gostar

comer

dela

carne

leite

29

quatorze

14

ali

trabalhar
dezasseis

16

quinze

tarde

levantar

fazer
dezassete

17

18

dezoito

dormir

ficar em casa

ler

todo dia

nadar

muito

preferir

19

dezanove

poder

estudar
vinte

20

vinte e um

tudo

vinte e quatro

21

ver

s seis

isso

o melhor

15

aqui

precisar

morar
treze

de ajuda

ir
13

de ti

sozinho

perto daqui

embora

para casa

estar

com ela

deixar
22

vinte e dois

jogar
23

claramente

de novo

vinte e trs

ver

24

30

comigo

sair

um jeito

vir

a resposta

dirigir

encontro

ler

consigo

vinte e cinco

25

amigos

vinte e seis

26

dinheiro

fazer
vinte e oito

28

29

vinte e nove

trinta

todo dia

30

de mim

nisso

deles

grande

31

trinta e um

pensar

32

trinta e dois

aqui

comigo

34

trinta e quatro

beijar

33

trinta e trs

com ela

esquerda

ficar

na boca

lembrar

direita

virar
35

trinta e cinco

com ele

namorar

36

trinta e seis

aprender

ser

de cr

Ingls

bom

um voluntrio

vinte e sete

27

31

todos

no trabalho

s sete

para sempre

bastante

quarenta

muito

antes

bem

com clareza

depois

44

quarenta e seis

42

quarenta e dois

tarde

cedo

quarenta e quatro

chegar

45

quarenta e cinco

a porta

iniciar
46

sobre isso

quarenta e trs

43

converso

escrever

esperar

quarenta e um

41

trinta e nove

correr

por algum

39
com ela

depressa

40

amar

trinta e oito

38

a ti

comear

abrir

trinta e sete

de novo

encontro
37

agora

os braos

os olhos

fechar
47

quarenta e sete

o trabalho

com isso

terminar

48

quarenta e oito

32

bastante

pouco

a todos

49

quarenta e nove

segredo

o dinheiro

ajudar

com ateno

52

cinquenta e dois

a chave

51

cinquenta e um

a aula

pouco

faltar

53

cinquenta e trs

54 cinquenta e quatro

por 5 euros

um livro

revistas

bem

pr

55

vender

ler

cinquenta e cinco

56

cinquenta e seis

57

cinquenta e sete

com isso

tua mo

isso

saltar

escutar

guardar

cinquenta

50

dentro

crescer

alto

a ti

de rir

dinheiro

mentiras

tempo

a verdade

parar
58

cinquenta e oito

gastar
59

cinquenta e nove

contar

60

sessenta

33

ao trabalho de avio

meus pais

viajar

o copo

em pedaos

64

sessenta e quatro
entre os dois

67

sessenta e sete

uma chance

tempo

65

sessenta e cinco

de voc

70

setenta

do tempo

telefonar

66

sessenta e seis

em casa

calor

68

sessenta e oito

sentir

69

sessenta e nove

um barulho

coisas

ouvir
71

setenta e um

logo

setenta e dois

a correr

sair

72

dar

noite

dependo

sessenta e trs

63

de novo

para mim

para dentro

escolher

sessenta e dois

62

pedir

trazer

bem

partir

um favor

visitar

sessenta e um

61

algo

hoje

34

com ela

em maio

casar

setenta e trs

73

visitas

receber

um caf

tomar

76

setenta e seis

74

bem

com amor

79

setenta e nove

no rio

da escada

a janela

andar
setenta e sete

77

comigo

com o pano

no bar

78
contigo

setenta e oito

acordado

sonhar

oitenta

80

oitenta e um

81

pelo futuro

por ela

dinheiro

para ti

cair

82

oitenta e dois

esperar
83

oitenta e trs

empresto

84

oitenta e quatro

limpar

danar

setenta e cinco

75

devagar

cozinhar

enviar

setenta e quatro

a cavalo

flores

notas

uma carta

telefonema

35

para ali

em dinheiro

por ele

pagar

olhar

oitenta e cinco

85

nada

alguma coisa

oitenta e oito

88

TV

com cuidado

89

mesa

alto

no sof

94

noventa e quatro

de alegria

chorar

de... para...

voar

oitenta e sete

noventa

90
um rosto

isso

92

noventa e dois

esquecer

93

noventa e trs

no copo

as mos

o carro

lavar

sentar

oitenta e nove

noventa e um

91

muito

assistir

conduzir

87

partida

o carro

cantar

existir

oitenta e seis

86

uma msica baixinho

a prazo

95

noventa e cinco

a mo

cortar

96

noventa e seis

36

de fome

em paz

em frente

97

noventa e sete

cedo

tarde

seguir

peso

98

noventa e oito

perder

99

noventa e nove

acordar

100

morrer

a chave

a multido

cem

37

Common Words A Matter of Perspective

When I started working as an English teacher, this experience showed me what makes
a word common:
On a sunny afternoon, a passerby dropped in for some water. The secretary told him to
help himself, and got back to work. (I could hear everything from the classroom...)
As the man got closer to the water fountain, he tried to get along by asking out loud:
Does this school belong to Walter?
That very common word water written on the gallons cover, was not so simple for
him! The secretary answered him politely, as usual, but I knew she was laughing up a
storm!
As the visitor left, the whole classroom exploded in laughter! (OK, I shouldnt have... But
who could resist?)
Fortunately, later on that same day I tried to put myself in that visitors shoes by recalling
the first English book that I tried to read on my own. I used to skim each page,
wondering what those words could mean.
All of a sudden, the words begin and again popped up in my eyes. For the first time, I
noticed that some words appeared more often than others did.
That was an insight moment for me. By noticing that, I realized that the so-called
common words only become common to you when you recognize them at first sight
and understand their meaning in several contexts.

38

As a Portuguese Teacher, Ive Never Faced Trouble Fixing Airplanes

Of course, theyve never come into the classroom!

Grammar and Pronunciation in any language (including mine) reminds me of my trouble
with airplanes. It is impossible to have any doubts about something that you never think
about!
Thats why I boldly defend that you shouldnt worry about verb conjugation in
Portuguese. Just make do with the 3 basic tenses present, past and future and the
singular pronouns I, you, he/she/it and everything is going to fall into place at the
proper time.
Lets have a look at an example with the verb falar to speak. Heres the all-correctand-frightening table:

1. Eu

Present
falo

Past
falei

Future
falarei

2. Tu

falas

falaste

falars

3. Ele

fala

falou

falar

4. Ns

falamos

falamos

falaremos

5. Vs

falais

falastes

falareis

6. Eles

falam

falaram

falaro

The Good News...

Having been helping beginners for a couple of years, I can promise you that language
learning doesnt have to be all that hard.
In the daily speech/writing, normal human beings usually abide by these rules:

The second person of plural (vs/you) is not used.

The Future is not made according to the above grammar rule. Instead, we just say
Eu vou, tu vais, ele vai, ns vamos, eles vo + the infinitive of any verb: Eu vou
falar. / I will speak. Tu vais comer. / You will eat. Ele vai sair. / He will leave.

39

... And heres ALL you need to start:

1. Eu

Present

falo

Past

falei

Future

vou falar

Portugus.

2. Tu

fala

falou

vai falar

Portugus.

3. Ele

fala

falou

vai falar

Portugus.

A little bit more lifting and encouraging, right?

Indeed, there are two more conjugations verbs ending in er and ir they are as
simple as the first one. You will be introduced to them in a while.
If I were you, I would celebrate this moment by going to the window and shouting...
My language problems is over!

(Uh-oh, I think I need some help with my English... )

Language Learning is NOT a Miracle!

So... What is a miracle?

According to the dictionary, it is an unusual event caused by mysterious forces in a
surprising and unexpected way.
But out of those learned pages, things get a bit more confusing:
Some say it is an inexplicable event, according to the laws of Nature. Others say it is an
operating force contrary to Nature...
Saint Augustine once stated, "Miracles are not contrary to Nature. Only to what we know
about Nature."
And I must agree with him.
When talking about second language learning, I have been faced with hundreds of
misconceptions denying how you can learn it in a practical, achievable and enjoyable
way.
Not that I know all the facts about the matter (and thats for sure!), but I have reason
enough to believe that foreign languages can be learned by ANYONE (including YOU)
since you:
Believe in your own capacity to learn
Get the right tools
Follow the right process
Let's make it clear. Have a look at the following Portuguese words:
capital
plural
tropical
dicionrio
programa
celebrar
invisvel
autorizao
qualidade
acadmico
diariamente

general
legal
aniversrio
glossrio
sistema
calcular
possvel
nao
sensibilidade
bsico
emocionalmente

original
visual
contrrio
milionrio
problema
iluminar
responsvel
ateno
universidade
pacfico
literalmente

There are some 1600 similar words between Portuguese and English!
As you understand the basic principles of word formation in Portuguese, you can
immediately turn hundreds of English words to this romantic language.
I know that it may seem too simple for some, but I used this same principle to learn
English and Spanish and it worked wonderfully.
Why dont you give it a try? No miracle require.