10 European Portuguese Expressions You'll Hear Every Day

Learning Portuguese isn't just about memorising vocabulary and grammar. If you're living in Portugal, you'll quickly discover that some expressions appear everywhere — in conversations with friends, at the supermarket, at work or simply when chatting with your neighbours.

Here are 10 expressions worth knowing

1. Olá! — Hello!

   A simple one, but you'll be using it all the time.

2. Bom dia! — Good morning!

   In Portugal, it's common to greet people when entering a shop, café or other public space.

3. Está tudo bem? — Is everything alright? / How are you?

   A very common way of asking how someone is doing.

4. Se faz favor. — Please.

   You'll hear this expression frequently when asking for something.

5. Com licença. — Excuse me.

   Useful when passing someone, getting someone's attention or entering a space.

6. Não faz mal. — It's okay / No problem.

   A very useful expression when something goes slightly wrong.

7. Até já! — See you soon!

   Usually used when you expect to see the person again shortly.

8. Até logo! — See you later!

   Another everyday way of saying goodbye.

9. Pois é. — That's right / Indeed / Well, yes...

   A wonderfully Portuguese expression that can have slightly different meanings depending on the context.

10. Está bem. — Okay / Alright.

    You'll hear this one everywhere — and probably start saying it without even noticing!

Sounding natural in European Portuguese

These expressions may seem simple, but they're an important part of sounding natural in European Portuguese. Language isn't just about knowing the right words — it's about knowing how people actually use them.

Want to learn more? Our personalised European Portuguese lessons focus on the language you'll actually use in everyday life in Portugal. Meet your teachers or book a free 15-minute chat to get started.