Difference between revisions of "Brazilian Portuguese phrasebook"

Revision as of 17:03, 6 December 2012

Brazilian Portuguese is the variety of Portuguese spoken in Brazil.

Alphabet

The Portuguese alphabet (alfabeto) has 23 letters, plus 3 foreign ones. Accented vowels, cedillas (see below), diphthongs, digraphs (including ch), etc. do not count separately. The alphabet is a b c d e f g h i j l m n o p q r s t u v x z with additional characters á à â ã ç é ê í ó ô õ ú. By far, the most common diphthong is ão. The alphabet, when pronounced, is similar to Spanish: á bê cê dê é efe gê agá i jota ele eme ene ó pê quê erre esse tê u vê xis zê. The letters k (ká / kápa), w (vê duplo/duplo vê / dábliu/dâbliu), and y (ípsilão/ípslon) are usually used only on words of foreign origin. In Brazil, this includes most of the indigenous languages, as their writing was developed by German anthropologists. Words such as Kayapó, Wapishana, and Yanomami refer to the names of a few of these indigenous tribes.

Grammar

Written vs. spoken

Especially in Brazil, spoken language can be very different from written language and official grammar, confusing non-native speakers. While slang (gíria) is common in Brazil and difficult to understand, it is generally not used around foreigners. Less educated people are likely to use slang a lot. The written language is also much closer to Spanish than what is spoken. But make no mistake, Portuguese is a foreign language for Spanish speakers.

Gender, plurals, and adjectives

To avoid duplication, see wikibooks. Also, Portuguese words ending in _ão are often, but not always, feminine. Their plurals, most of the time, simply replace _ão with _ões. (Example: a televisão, as televisões) To be sure, look it up in a dictionary. Even words that are the same in both English and Portuguese can be different in plural form, depending on the last letter. Example: 1 hotel (oh TEL), 2 hotéis (oh TAYSH).

Unlike most other Romance languages, Portuguese genderizes the names of many countries of the world, and also some cities in Portugal, (but mainly just 'o Rio de Janeiro' in Brazil). Surprisingly, Portugal itself has no gender, along with some of the Portuguese speaking countries in Africa.

Pronouns for "You"

These can be a little confusing, especially for those transitioning from other Romance languages to Brazilian Portuguese. Originally, você (Spanish usted; French vous) and the plural vocês were the formal "you," while tu and the plural vós were the informal, with all four having separate sets of verbs endings. Today in Brazil, vós is almost never used, and tu is used only in certain areas such as the Northeast (nordeste) and Rio Grande do Sul. In this case, it is often followed by the same verb endings as você. Thus, virtually all of Brazil does not use the verb endings for tu and vós (i.e. no 2nd person verbs), making it much easier to learn just the 1st and 3rd person. However, most Brazilians do use the informal reflexive pronoun te (based on tu and the same word as Spanish and French). Since this eliminates much of the grammar-based formality, to be formal replace you with o senhor (oh sen-YOUR) for a man, a senhora (ah sen-YOUR-ah) for a woman, and a senhorita (ah sen-your-REE-tah) for a young unmarried lady. This can also be done just before their name (equivalent to Mr., Mrs., and Miss respectively), or it can be spoken by itself initially (with or without a name) in order to get someone's attention.

In Portugal, the pronoun "tu" is just as popularly used as in Spanish-speaking countries, though vós is rarely used as a conjugating pronoun (except for accusative and dative as in Amo-vos "I love (plural) you"). Tu has its own verb set, making você sound somewhat more formal than in many parts of Brazil. However, to be extra formal use o senhor, a senhora, and a senhorita. Tourists could easily get by without learning the tu verbs, and as an obvious foreigner, it's very unlikely any child will think you're being sarcastic if you use você in speaking to them. Also, Brazilian television programs are popular in Portugal, and the use of você should not raise an eyebrow. However, European Portuguese (Luso) is not always well-understood in Brazil.

Dropping the plural in Brazil

Informal speech in Brazil may avoid the plural altogether by using a gente (the people) for we and todo mundo (entire world) for they. Both forms use 3rd person singular. Of course, todo mundo applies only to people, not things. Be careful outside Brazil where toda a gente is the same as todo mundo. Unfortunately, this isn't much of a short cut, as the we form is by far the easiest, and the they form is still needed for objects.

It is also becoming common in Brazil to see people dropping the final S in the nouns as it happens in French. So words saying "As Casas" is spoken as "As Casa" but in written form, that is not accepted.

Other Pronouns

In Brazil, it's very common (though technically incorrect) to use ele/a as the object pronoun for "it." Eu encontrei ele. I found it. If the "it" is intangible, best to change to the Portuguese genderless word for "this." Amo muito tudo isso. I'm loving it.

eu 

I

tu 

You (Informal, used only between friends and young people. Popularly used in Portugal, but seldom used in Brazil

ele 

he, it (m)

ela 

she, it (f)

nós 

we

(vós) 

you -- plural (Nowadays, not conjugated even in Portugal. Rarely used anywhere in Brazil.)

eles 

they, them (mixed gender ok)

elas 

they, them (all females/feminine)

Avoid confusion with third person possessives

Possessives are used like the definite articles (o,a, os, as) and are genderized by what is being possessed -- NOT who possesses them (as in English his/her). Also, the definite article precedes the possessive in most dialects. (The main exception is Northeast Brazil, including Salvador, Bahia.)

Beware, seu(s) and sua(s) can either mean your (second person), or his/her/their (third person). The default is the second person. Only if there is no possibility that it could belong to "you" is the use in the third person allowed. (Exception: if the tu or vós forms are being used, then seu/sua become the 3rd person AND teu/tua or vosso/vossa are used instead .) Sua boca = your mouth. Seu carro = your car. But if you don't have a car, then it means "his or her car." If you do have a car, and they want to talk about someone else's car, then they have to say o carro dele (the car of his), or o carro dela (the car of hers). Notice that dele/dela (unlike regular possessives) are based on who possesses them (like English). Needless to say, this can all be very confusing and requires practice.

• a sua namorada     his girlfriend   Assuming she's not your girlfriend (spoken by another person), as this would have priority unless tu (i.e. teu/tua) is being used.

Note the feminine possessive pronoun sua becomes the masculine his in English

• a namorada dele     literally: the girlfriend of his

In this case, le is masculine. Normally translated as just "his girlfriend."

Verbs

This topic is much too complex for a phrasebook. In general though, infinitive verbs (i.e. as found in the dictionary) end in _ar, _er, and _ir (like Spanish) plus there's one irregular infinitive pôr (to put). A lot of the most common verbs are irregular, and must be memorized (except in the we form, most of the time). Você, ele, ela, (and usually tu in Brazil -- see above) share the same verb set, as do (separately) vocês, eles, and elas. By not using the second person, you also avoid having to change verbal commands when switching from affirmative to negative: (you) go vá, (you) don't go não vá, but with tu it's vai (affirmative) and não vás (negative) which is more complicated.

Pronunciation guide

Portuguese has both nasal vowels and reduced vowels. Nearly everyone struggles to learn them correctly (except, perhaps, fluent French speakers, but even they will have an accent). If you don't reduce the vowels, you will still be understood, but sound over-enunciating. If you don't nasalize the vowels, you can easily be misunderstood: mão means "hand", while mau means "bad." So, be extra careful not to ouch the ão sound. For starters, try something in between English no and now for não (which means English no). Start practicing with words whose preceding consonant doesn't have much lip movement. For example, não is easier than pão (bread). A good native pronunciation of this diphthong will take lots of listening and practice. The nasals are transcribed as "ng", but don't pronounce "ng" as a consonant.

Brazilian and Luso (European Portuguese) pronunciation differ, and within Brazil, there are regional differences as well. The Brazlian variant used here is based on generally follow the Rio pronunciation in this guide.

Vowels and accents

Accentuation

Similar to Spanish: Words ending in -a, -e, -o, -m, or -s are stressed on the next to the last syllable. Words ending in any consonant except -m or -s are stressed on the last syllable. (Portuguese words end in m instead of n.)

Similar to Italian: Words ending in -i and -u are stressed on the last syllable. This includes the nasal vovels -im and -um. (The final -m is not pronounced as a consonant here.)

Exceptions to the above have an accent mark.

While in many languages, the accent mark indicates the stress, and the vowel used indicates the sound, Portuguese sometimes reverses this concept (though not in the same word). The accent mark shortens the vowel sound, and which of two vowels a word ends with determines the stress, but both have the same sound. Note: accent marks have priority in determining which syllable is stressed.

BP: Words ending in -e and -i have the same sound (ee), but -e is stressed on the next to the last syllable, and -i is stressed on the last syllable. The diphthong ei is used for the long "a" (as in weigh) sound at the end of a stressed syllable.

BP: Words ending in -o and -u have the same sound (oo), but -o is stressed on the next to the last syllable, and -u is stressed on the last syllable. The diphthong ou is used for the long "o" (as in four) sound at the end of a stressed syllable.

Vowels

a 

like father

ã 

like détente (Nasal)

e 

like set, say, or eight. Often dropped at ends of words in Portugal save verbal conjugations but not in Brazil, where it is reduced to i.

See also the diphthong ei

closed e 

like herd. Often spelled with an accent mark: ê

é 

like let

i 

like machine

o 

between sort and book in Portugal. In Brazil it is usually rounded (like in cold) except at the end of a word, when it is pronounced as a short oo, as in the English word to. See also the diphthong ou.

open o 

like in hot.

ó 

like rock Note that o and ó are not the same vowel.

õ 

like French sont (say "song" and drop the final consonant) (Nasal)

u 

like soup or book

Consonants

Using the English "R" sound in the beginning of words can cause confusion. Use the English "H" sound (or the French R) instead. The M is also nasalised at the end of words (sim, mim) and the English "M" sound should be dropped even if the next word begins with a vowel. In this phrasebook, it's represented by an N (the closest possible sound). Also, be careful with words containing "Te" and "Ti" (see below).

b 

like 'b' in "bed"

c 

like 'c' in "cat"

ce     ci 

like in cell and civil.

ç 

like 's' in soft or super. The mark below the letter "c" is called a cedilla in English or cedilha in Portuguese. It is used to force the soft C before vowels other than E or I.

d 

like 'd' in "dog". In some regions of Brazil (e.g. Rio) it is affricate before i   (like in dia sounding roughly like an English "j": "jeea"). Unlike Spanish, the d is always pronounced hard, even in between vowels

f 

like 'f' in "father"

g 

like 'g' in "good". Same as the d above, the letter is never softened between vowels as in Spanish.

ge     gi 

like 'zh' as in Brezhnev and other East Slavic words.

h 

Silent. See Common digraphs below and r and rr for the English "h" sound. Note: many Spanish words starting with this silent "H" begin with "F" in Portuguese (and in other Romance languages) such as "hacer" v.s "fazer" (to do).

j 

like 'zh' as in Brezhnev and many East Slavic words.

k 

Found only in words of foreign origin, so pronounce accordingly. See letters c and q for the English "k" sound.

l 

like 'l' in "love". The final L is vocalised (like in "cold"). Brazilians will make it a "u" sound (like in "mal" sounding like the English "ow", as in "now".) Unlike English, words ending in L are normally stressed on the final syllable. Capital (cah-pe-TALW)

m... 

like 'm' in "mother".

...m 

Nasalizes the preceding vowel, and is dropped at the end of a word (Luso). Letter 'N' used in the phrasebook for Brazilian pronunciation.

n 

like nice. Nasalizes the preceding vowel and is silent when followed by a consonant. (See Common digraphs below.)

p 

like 'p' in "pig"

q 

like "unique". Qu is usually followed by e  or i  as a way to get the k sound. Words with qua will sound just as 'qua' in the English word "quack".

r...

like 'h' in "help", only harder. See also RR in Common Digraphs below. In European Portuguese, it sounds harder and more trilled than in Spanish. In Brazil it's often pronounced like a Spanish J.

...r 

like 'r' in "morning" or the (usually dropped) 'r' in British pronunciation.

...r... 

like the Spanish 'r'.

• Examples (Brazilian pronunciation):
  

        fresta (FRES-tah)   a loophole
        hora (OH-rah)   hour, time

s 

like "hiss" at the beginning of words, "haze" between vowels, "sure" in Portugal and final position/before consonants in Rio de Janeiro, or as s elsewhere (like the regular plural ending sound in English).

t 

like 't' in "top"

Brazil only -- except some areas near Argentina and Uruguay:
...te   (if unstressed, i.e. no accent mark)  
te + a...  (the 'a' is pronounced in the next syllable)
ti   (in any syllable)
        like 'chee' in cheese
Note this is completely different from Spanish

• Examples (Brazilian pronunciation):
  

        teatro (chee-AHT-roh)   theatre
        tipo (CHEE-po)   type
        rotina (ho-CHEE-nah)   routine
        assisti (ah-sist-CHEE)   I watched/helped/attended
        teste (TES-chee)   test
        até (ah-TEH)   until

v 

like 'v' in "victory"

w 

Found only in words of foreign origin, so pronounce accordingly. Mostly pronounced as 'v' (Volkswagen) or 'u' (Wilson).

x 

like "box", "shoe", "zip" or even "yes". The correct pronunciation of the X is not easy to deduce. It is usually pronounced like sh before a vowel, and "ks" if preceding another consonant (but not always).

y 

Found only in words of foreign origin, so pronounce accordingly. The digraph lh sounds like a "ly". (see Common digraphs below)

z 

like 'z' in "zebra," or like a soft sh or s when final ("paz", "luz")

Common diphthongs

Note: Two vowels together not listed as diphthongs usually means a syllable split. Example: ia in Bahia. Any accent mark (not counting the tilde such as ão and õe) will split a diphthong into two regular vowels (see above).

am 

same as ã and â, but unstressed     andam   they walk (Nasal)

ai 

like bike (often equivalent to Spanish 'AY')     praia   beach

aí   (with an accent) 

Not a diphthong; just a, (new syllable), stressed i

ão 

similar to uwng (u as in cup)     dão   they give (Nasal)

ao 

used only in contractions, and the same sound as au below

au 

like house     Manaus   Brazilian city in the Amazon

ei 

In Brazil: like say (best equivalent to Spanish 'E')     meio   half. In Portugal (i.e. Lisbon and Coimbra): like why or bye (the i or y sound).

eu 

the e vowel plus a w semivowel (no equivalent in English)     Europa   Europe

em 

In Brazil: like reign     viagem   travel or journey (Nasal).

oi 

like boy     oito   eight

om 

same as õ     som   sound (Nasal)

ou 

as in own   false diphthong   (pronounced the same as the Portuguese vowel 'O')     sou   I am

õe 

nasal oi     ele põe   he puts (Nasal)

um 

like room     algum some (Nasal)

Common digraphs

ch 

like machine (sh sound) Note this is completely different from Spanish. In Brazil, letter t when followed by i or final e produces the Spanish & English "ch" sound (see above).

• Example:
  

        chuva (SHOU-vah)   rain

lh 

like million (equivalent to Spanish LL) Note: Spanish words starting with "LL" very often convert to "CH" (with the sh sound) in Portuguese (see above)

• Example:
  

        velho (VEH-yo)   old

...nh... 

like canyon (equivalent to Spanish Ñ and NI, but note that Ñ most often becomes just N in Portuguese)

• Examples:
  

        banho (BAN-yo)   bath;   piranha (pee-RAHN-yah) man-eating fish

...nr... 

the r is pronounced like help

• Example:
  

        honra (OH-ha)   honor

...rr... 

In Brazil, like help (same as R at the beginning of a word). In Portugal, usually trilled more vigorously than Spanish RR.

• Example:
  

        cachorro (cah-SHOW-rroh (Port.) / cah-SHOW-ho (Brazil))   dog

...ss... 

prevents the sonorisation of the S between vowels.

• Example:
  

        assado (ah-SAHD-oh)   roasted

Phrase list

To ask a question in Portuguese use rising intonation to distinguish it from a statement. This will seem natural as English also uses rising intonation in questions, but Portuguese has no equivalent for Do...?, Did...?, Don't...?, etc.

Also, note in the following example that você (you) -- not tem (have) -- is the first word in the question. Without the question mark, it is no different than a statement. Reversing these first two words (as is often done in Spanish) would sound very archaic (if allowed at all), especially in Brazilian Portuguese.

Example

(Do) you have a battery for this? 

Você tem uma pilha para isto? (voh-SAY teng U-mah PEEL-yah PAH-rah EES-toh?)

Basics

This article or section does not match our manual of style or needs other editing. Please plunge forward, give it your attention and help it improve! Suggested fixes: This phrasebook should concentrate solely on Portuguese as spoken in Brazil. All information on Portuguese as spoken in Europe, Africa and Asia should be removed or moved to Portuguese phrasebook.

Good Day 

Bom dia. (boñ DEE-uh) Portugal / (bon DEE-ah / JEE-ah (Rio)) Brazil

Hello. (informal) 

Olá. (O-lah) Port. / Oi (oi) Brazil

Thank you. (said by a man) 

Obrigado. (ob-ree-GAH-doo)

Thank you. (said by a woman) 

Obrigada. (ob-ree-GAH-dah)

How are you? 

Como está? (KOH-moo shTAH?) Portugal, Formal / KOH-moh ish-TAH? Brazil / ) also: Como vai você? (KOH-moh vahy voh-SAY?) in Brazil

How are you? 

Tudo bem? (TOO-doo BAY(n)?) Portugal / (TOO-do BENG?) Brazil or Tudo bom? (bon) Very common in Brazil.

Fine, thank you. 

Bem, obrigado/a (BAY(n), ob-ree-GAH-doo/duh) Portugal / (BENG, ob-ree-GAH-doo/dah) Also, you can informally say "Tudo bem/bon."

Everything is OK. (Lit. "All is well") 

Tudo bem. (TOO-doo BAY(n)) Portugal / (TOO-do BENG) Brazil

What is your name? (Lit. "How are you called?")

Como se chama? (KOH-moo s SHUM-uh?) Portugal, formal / (KOH-moh se SHA-ma?); Como te chamas? (KOH-moo t SHA-mash?) Portugal, Informal

What is your name? (Literal)

Qual é o seu nome? (kwahl eh oo sehoo nom?) Portugal, formal / (kwahl eh oh SAY-oo NOH-mee?) Preferred in Brazil.

My name is ______ . 

(O) meu nome é ______ . (oo mehoo NOM eh...) Portugal / ({oh} mehoo NOM-ee ey _____ .) The "O" is usually omitted in Brazil.

Nice to meet you. 

Muito prazer (em conhecê-lo). (MOOY-too pra-ZEHR ay(n) koo-ny(e)-SEH-loo) Portugal, formal / (MOOY-to prah-ZEHR eng koh-nye-SEH-lo) The final part is dropped in Brazil.

Please (Lit. "As a favor") 

Por favor. (poor fa-VOR) Portugal / (pohr fah-VOHR)

You're welcome (Lit. "For nothing") 

De nada. (d NAH-da) Portugal / (je NAH-dah)

Yes. 

Sim. (SIN(G))

No. 

Não. (NAWN(G))

• Remember the Portuguese "no" doesn't mean a negation as in English and Spanish -- but rather "in the" as a contraction of em + o (Spanish en el). Such contractions are common in Portuguese. Não falo inglês no Brasil. I don't speak English in Brazil.

No (not any) + noun 

Nenhum(a) (na-NYOON(g) / ne-NYUU-ma) Portugal / (neh-NYOONG(-ah))

Excuse me. (getting attention) 

Com licença (kong lee-SEN-sa)

Excuse me. (begging pardon) 

Desculpe-me. (desh-KULP-me (Port.)/ deesh-KUL-pee-mee (Brazil))

I'm sorry. 

Desculpe. (desh-KULP (Port.)/ deesh-KUL-pay (Brazil))

I'm sorry. (Lit. "pardon") 

Perdão. (per-DAWN(g)) Portugal / (pehr-DAWNG) Brazil

Goodbye (formal or permanent) 

Adeus. (uh-DEOOSH)

Goodbye (informal) 

Tchau. (CHOW)

See you later 

Até logo. (a-TEH LOH-goo) Portugal / (ah-TEH LOH-goh) Brazil

Be careful in other context, as logo literally means "soon"

I can't speak Portuguese [well]. 

Não falo [bem] português. (NOWNG FAH-loo [bay(n)] poor-too-GEHZH)

Do you speak English? 

Fala inglês? (fah-la in-GLESH?)

Is there someone here who speaks English? 

Há aqui alguém que fale inglês? (AH a-KEE ahl-GAY(n) ke FAHL in-GLEHZH?) Portugal / (AH ah-KEE al-GENG keh FAH-leh ing-GLEZH?) Brazil

Help! 

Socorro! (soo-KOH-hoo!)

Good afternoon (also early evening) 

Boa tarde. (BO-a TARD) Portugal / (boh-AH TAR-dee) Brazil / TAR-jay (Rio))

Good evening (also nightime) 

Boa noite. (bo-a NOIT Portugal / (bo-AH NOI-chee) Brazil

I don't understand. 

Não compreendo/entendo. (NOWNG kom-pree-EN-doo/en-TEN-doo)

Where is the toilet? (Port.)

Onde é a casa-de-banho? (OND eh a KAH-za de BA-nyoo?) Portugal /

Where is the toilet? (Brazil) 

Onde é o banheiro? (OND-de (Brazil) / OND-jee (Rio) eh o bahn-YAIR-row?)

Problems

Leave me alone. 

Deixe-me em paz. (DEY-sheh meh eng PAZH)

Don't touch me! 

Não me toque! (NOWNG meh TOH-keh!)

I'll call the police. 

Eu chamo a polícia. (AY-oo SHAH-moo a poh-LEE-see-ah)

Police! 

Polícia! (poh-LEE-see-ah!)

Stop! Thief! 

Pára! Ladrão! (PAH-rah! lah-DROWNG!)

I need your help. 

Preciso da sua ajuda. (preh-SEE-zoo dah SOO-ah ah-ZHOO-dah)

It's an emergency. 

É uma emergência. (EH oo-mah eh-mer-ZHENG-see-ah)

I'm lost. 

Estou perdido/...da. (STOW per-DEE-doo/ per-JEE-doo (Rio)...dah)

I lost my bag. 

Perdi a minha mala [bolsa]. (per-DEE / per-JEE (Rio) a meen-yah MAH-lah)

I lost my wallet. 

Perdi a minha carteira.(per-DEE / per-JEE (Rio) ah MEE-nyah cahr-TAY-rah)

I'm sick. 

Estou doente. (ish-TOW doo-AYNT (Port.) / doo-AYN-chee (Brazil))

I've been injured. 

Estou ferido/da. (ish-TOW feh-REE-doo/dah)

I need a doctor. 

Preciso de um médico. (preh-SEE-zoo deh oong MEH-dee-koo / MEH-jee-koo (Rio))

Can I use your phone? 

Posso usar o seu telefone? (POH-soo oo-ZAR oo seoo teh-leh-FOWN (Port.) / teh-leh-FOW-nee (Brazil)?)

Numbers

Note: Spanish speakers need to practice pronunciation of Portuguese numbers to be understood, even though they are quite similar in written form. Give particular attention to dropped middle syllables in numbers 7,9,10, and those ending in e for Luso and te for Brazil. Also, don't confuse cento for "cents" or "centavos," as it refers to "hundreds."

1 

um(m)/uma(f) (oong / OO-mah)

2 

dois(m)/duas(f) (doysh / DOO-ash)

3 

três (trehsh)

4 

quatro (KWAH-troh)

5 

cinco (SING-koo)

6 

seis/meia (Brazil)(seysh/may-ah) In Brazil, use meia in a numerical series (e.g. phone numbers, postal codes, etc.) to prevent confusion with "três". "Meia" is short for "meia-dúzia" (half-a-dozen).

7 

sete (set (Port.) / SEH-tchee (Brazil))

8 

oito (OY-too)

9 

nove (nov (Port.)/ NOH-vee (Brazil))

10 

dez (dezh)

11 

onze (ongz (Port.) / ONG-zeh (Brazil) )

12 

doze (doz (Port.)/ DOH-zeh (Brazil) )

13 

treze (trez (Port.) / TRE-zeh (Brazil))

14 

catorze (kah-TORZ (Port.)/ kah-TOH-zeh (Brazil))

15 

quinze (keengz (Port.)/ KEENG-zee (Brazil))

16 

dezasseis (Port.) (deh-zah-SEYSH)

 

dezesseis (Brazil)(deh-zee-SEYSH)

17 

dezassete (Port.)(deh-zah-SET )

 

dezessete (Brazil) (deh-zee-SEH-tchee )

18 

dezoito (deh-ZOY-too)

19 

dezanove (Port.) (deh-zah-NOV )

 

dezenove (Brazil) (dee-zee-NOH-vee)

20 

vinte (veengt (Port.)/ VEEN-chee (Brazil))

21 

vinte e um/uma (veengt (Port.)/ VEEN-chee (Brazil) ee oong/OO-mah)

22 

vinte e dois/duas (veengt (Port.)/ VEEN-chee (Brazil) ee doysh/DOO-ash)

23 

vinte e três (veengt (Port.)/ VEEN-chee (Brazil) ee trezh)

30 

trinta (TREEN-tah)

40 

quarenta (kwah-REN-tah)

50 

cinquenta (Port.) (sing-KWEN-tah)

 

cinqüenta (Brazil) (sing-KWEN-tah)

60 

sessenta (seh-SEN-tah)

70 

setenta (seh-TEN-tah)

80 

oitenta (oy-TEN-tah)

90 

noventa (no-VEN-tah)

100 

cem (seng)

101 

cento e um/a (SENG-too ee oong/OO-mah)

102 

cento e dois/duas (SEHN-too ee doysh/DOO-ahs)

103 

cento e três (SEHN-too ee trehsh)

110 

cento e dez (SEHN-too ee dehsh)

125 

cento e vinte e cinco (SEHN-too ee VEEN-teh ee SEEN-koo)

200 

duzentos/as (doo-ZEHN-toosh/ash)

300 

trezentos/as (tre-ZEHN-toosh/ash)

400 

quatrocentos/as (kwah-troo-SEHN-toosh)

500 

quinhentos/as (keen-YENG-toosh)

600 

seiscentos/as (saysh-SEHN-toosh)

700 

setecentos/as (set-SEHN-toosh (Port.)/ seh-tchee-SEN-toosh (Br.))

800 

oitocentos/as (oy-too-SEHN-toosh)

900 

novecentos/as (nov-SEHN-toosh (Port.)/ no-vee-SEHN-toosh (Br.))

1000 

mil (meel)

2000 

dois mil (doysh meel)

1,000,000 

milhão (meel-YOWNG)

1.000.000.000 

milhar de milhão (lit. a thousand millions; not bilião, bilhão)

number _____ (train, bus, etc.) 

número _____ (NU-may-ro)

half 

metade (me-TAHD (Port.)/ me-TAHD-day (Brazil)/ me-TAHD-jay (Rio))

less 

menos (MEH-noosh)

more 

mais (mighsh)

Time

now 

agora (ah-GOH-rah)

later 

depois (deh-POYSH)

before 

antes de (ANtesh deh)

morning 

manhã (mah-NYAHNG)

afternoon 

tarde (tahrd (Port.)/ TAHR-day (Brazil)/TAHR-jay (Rio))

evening 

Use afternoon ("tarde") for early evening, and night ("noite") for late evening. Unlike English, "boa noite" is used as an initial greeting and not just to say goodbye.

night 

noite (NOIT (Port.)/ NOI-chay (Brazil))

Clock time

Note: In a sentence add é just before one o'clock, noon and midnight, and são just before two through eleven o'clock. (English equivalent of "it is..."). Unlike Spanish, the definite article (Span. la; Port. a) is not used.

one o'clock AM 

uma hora da manhã (uma OH-ra dah man-yah)

two o'clock AM 

duas horas da manhã (dua-ZOH-ras dah man-yah)

noon 

meio-dia (mayo deeah/ jeeah (Rio))

one o'clock PM 

uma hora da tarde (uma OH-ra dah tahrd (Port.)/ TAHR-day (Brazil))

two o'clock PM 

duas horas da tarde (dua-ZOH-ras dah tahrd (Port.)/ TAHR-day (Brazil))

half past three PM 

três e meia da tarde (tray-zee MAY-ah dah tard (Port.)/ TARD-day (Br.))

midnight 

meia-noite (MAY-ah noyt (Port.)/ NOY-tay (Br.)/ NOY-tchee (Rio))

Duration

_____ minute(s) 

_____ minuto(s) (mee-NU-toh)

_____ hour(s) 

_____ hora(s) (OH-ra)

_____ day(s) 

_____ dia(s) (DEE-ah/ JEE-ah (Rio))

_____ week(s) 

_____ semana(s) (seh-MAH-nah)

_____ month(s) 

_____ mês(meses) (mayse)

_____ year(s) 

_____ ano(s) (ahno)

Days

today 

hoje (ohzh (Port.)/ OHZH-gee (Brazil))

yesterday 

ontem (OHN-taym)

tomorrow 

amanhã (a-mahn-YAHNG)

this week 

esta semana (esh-tah seh-MAH-nah)

last week 

a semana passada (ah s'MAH-nah pah-SAH-dah)

next week 

próxima semana (PRAW-see-mah s'MAH-nah)

Sunday 

domingo (doh-MING-goo)

Monday 

segunda-feira (seh-GOON-dah fey-rah)

Tuesday 

terça-feira (TEHR-sah fey-rah)

Wednesday 

quarta-feira (KWAR-tah fey-rah)

Thursday 

quinta-feira (KEEN-tah fey-rah)

Friday 

sexta-feira (SESH-tah fey-rah)

Saturday 

sábado (SAH-bah-doo)

Months

January 

Janeiro (zhah-NEY-roo)

February 

Fevereiro (fev-REY-roo)

March 

Março (MAR-soo)

April 

Abril (ah-BREEL)

May 

Maio (MY-yo)

June 

Junho (JUN-yoo)

July 

Julho (JUHL-yoo)

August 

Agosto (AGOSH-too)

September 

Setembro (S'tembroo)

October 

Outubro (Oh-TOO-broo)

November 

Novembro (Noo-VEM-broo)

December 

Dezembro (D'ZEM-broo)

Writing Time and Date

21 September 2005 (UK)/September 21, 2005 (USA) 21 de setembro de 2005, "vinte e um de setembro de dois mil e cinco"

Time is written with "h" as in French: 8h30; or with a colon or period. The 24-hour clock is often used.

Colors

Most adjectives change the final o to a in the feminine and add s (pronounced sh) to form the plural. If the adjective ends in "a", there is no separate masculine form.

black 

preto (PREH-too)

white 

branco (BRAHNG-koo)

gray 

cinzento (sing-ZEHN-too)

red 

vermelho (ver-MEH-lyoo)

blue 

azul (ah-ZOOL), pl. azuis (ah-ZWEESH)

yellow 

amarelo (ah-mah-REH-lo)

green 

verde (vehrd (Port.)/ VEHR-day (Brazil)/ VEHR-jay (Rio))

orange 

laranja (lah-RANG-jah)

purple 

roxo (HOH-show)

violet 

violeta (vee-oh-LAY-tah)

pink 

cor de rosa (Cohr day HOH-sah / Cohr jay HOH-sah (Rio))

brown (Port.)

castanho (cah-SHTAHN-yoo)

brown (Brazil)

marrom (mah-HON)

dark brown (skin) 

moreno (mor-RAY-no) / (pele) morena (PAY-lee mor-RAY-nah)

Transportation

car 

[BRAZ] carro (KAH-roh), [PORT] carro (KAH-roo)

taxi 

táxi (TAHK-see)

bus 

[PORT] autocarro (ow-toh-KAH-roo), [BRAZ] ônibus (ow-NEE-boos)

van 

[PORT] caminhonete (kah-mee-NYOH-neh-tih), [BRAZ] furgão (FOOR-gown)

truck 

[PORT] caminhão (kah-MEE-nyow), [BRAZ] caminhão (kah-MEE-nyown)

trolley 

carrinho (kah-REE-nyoo)

tram 

[PORT] eléctrico (eh-LEHK-tree-koo), [BRAZ] (eh-LEHK-tree-koh)

train 

[PORT] comboio (kohm-BOY-oo),trem (trehn)

subway 

[PORT] metro (MEH-troo), metrô (meh-TROH)

ship 

[PORT] navio (NAH-vyoo), [BRAZ] navio (NAH-vyoh)

boat 

[PORT] barco (BAHR-koo), [BRAZ] barco (BAHR-koh)

ferry 

balsa (BAHL-sah)

helicopter 

helicóptero (eh-lee-KOHP-teh-roo)

airplane 

[PORT] avião (AH-vyow), [BRAZ] avião (AH-vyown)

airline 

linha aérea (LEE-nyah ah-EH-reh-ah)

bicycle 

bicicleta (bee-see-KLEH-tah)

motorcycle 

motocicleta [PORT] (moh-too-see-KLEH-tah), [BRAZ] (moh-toh-see-KLEH-tah)

carriage 

transporte [PORT] (trahns-POOR-teh), carruagem [BRAZ] (kah-RWAH-zhehm)

Bus and Train

How much is a ticket to_____? 

Quanto custa uma passagem [bilhete in Portugal] para_____? (KWAHN-toh(too) KOOS-tah OO-mah pah-SAH-zheng [bee-LYEH-teh] PAH-rah_____?)

One ticket to_____, please. 

Uma passagem (Braz)/ Um bilhete para (Port)_____, por favor. (OO-mah pah-SAH-zheng/ oon bee-LYEH-teh PAH-rah_____, poor fah-VOHR / pohr fah-VOHR)

Where does this train/bus go? 

Para onde vai o comboio [trem in Brazil]/autocarro [ônibus in Brazil]? (PAH-rah OHN-deh(zhee) vai oh(oo) kohm-BOY-oh(oo)/trehm/ow-toh-KAH-roo/aw-NEE-boos?)

Where is the train/bus to_____? 

Onde é o comboio/autocarro para_____? (OHN-deh(zhee) EH oh(oo) kohm-BOY-oh(oo)/ow-toh-KAH-roo PAH-rah_____?)

Does this train/bus stop in _____? 

Este comboio/autocarro pára em _____? (...)

When does the train/bus for _____ leave? 

Quando parte [sai in Brazil] o comboio/autocarro para _____? (...)

When will this train/bus arrive in _____? 

Quando chega este comboio/autocarro a _____? (KWAHN-don(doo) CHEH-gah EHSH-teh/EHS-teh kohm-BOY-oh/ow-toh-KAH-roo ah_____?)

Directions

How do I get to _____ ? 

Como vou _____ ? (KOH-moh vow) or Como chego _____ ? (KOH-moh SHAY-goh) Do NOT use the Portuguese word for "get"; use "go" or "arrive."

...the train station? 

...à estação de comboios(Port.)/trem(Br.)? (AH ish-tah-SOW/ehs-tah-SOWN deh kohm-BOY-ohs/trehm?)

...the bus station? 

...à estação de autocarros(Port.)/ônibus(Br.)? (ah ish-ta-SOWN duh ow-too-CAR-oosh / dje OH-nee-boos)

...the airport? 

...ao aeroporto? (ow ah-eh-roo-POHR-too)

...downtown? 

...à baixa(Port.)/ao centro(Br.)? (ah BAIshah / ow SEN-troo)

...the youth hostel? 

...à pousada de juventude? (Ah poo-ZAH-dah deh zhu-VEN-tud / zhu-ven-TUD-jay (Brazil))

...the _____ hotel? 

...ao hotel _____? (ow oh-TEL)

...a nightclub/bar? 

...a uma boate/bar/festa/farra? (...)

...an Internet café? 

...a um lan house?(Br.) (...)

...the American/Canadian/Australian/British consulate? 

...ao consulado americano/canadense/australiano/britânico? (...)

Where are there a lot of... 

Onde há muitos/muitas... (OHND ah MOOY-tosh/tash...)

...hotels? 

...hotéis? (oh-TEYSH)

...restaurants? 

...restaurantes? (resh-tau-RAN-t'sh)

...bars? 

...bares? (barsh)

...sites to see? 

...sítios(Port.)/lugares(Br.) para visitar? (SEE-tee-osh/loo-GAH-hes pah-rah vee-zee-TAR)

...women? 

...mulheres? (moo-LYEH-resh)

Can you show me on the map? 

(Port.) Pode mostrar-me no mapa? (pod mushTRARM noo MAH-pah?)/ (Br.) Pode me mostrar no mapa? (PAW-djee mee mo-STRAR noo MAH-pah?)

street 

rua (HOO-ah)

Turn left. 

Vire à esquerda. (VEER ah esh-KEHR-dah)

Turn right. 

Vire à direita. (VEER ah dee-RAY-tah / jee-RAY-tah (Rio))

left 

esquerdo (esh-KEHR-doo)

right 

direito (dee-RAY-too / jee-RAY-too (Rio))

straight ahead 

sempre em frente (Sempr' eim frent/ FREN-chee (Brazil))

towards the _____ 

na direcção de _____ (nah dee-reh-SOWN duh / nah jee-reh-SOWN deh (Rio))

past the _____ 

depois de _____ (depoish deh)

before the _____ 

antes de _____ (ant'sh deh)

Watch for the _____. 

Procure o/a _____. (proh-KOO-reh oo/ah_____* )

intersection 

cruzamento (kroo-zah-MEN-too)

north 

norte (NOHR-te(Port.) / (NOHR-chee) or nortch (Brazil))

south 

sul (sool)

east 

leste (LESHt or ESHt (Port.) / LESH-chee (Brazil))

west 

oeste (oh-ESHt (Port.) / oh-EHS-chee (Brazil))

uphill 

subida (soo-BEE-dah)

downhill 

descida (desh-SEE-dah / deh-SEE-dah (Brazil))

Taxi

Taxi! 

Táxi! (Tak-see)

Take me to _____, please. 

Leve-me para _____, por favor. (...)

How much does it cost to get to _____? 

Quanto custa ir para _____? (KWAN-to CUSH-tah eer pah-rah______)

Take me there, please. 

Leve-me lá, por favor. (...)

Follow that car! 

Siga aquele carro! (SEEgah AHkelE kaROO / cah-HOO (Brazil))

Try to not hit any pedestrian. 

Tente não atropelar nenhum Peão (PT)/pedestre (BR). (...)

Stop staring at me this way! 

Pare de olhar para mim desta maneira! (...)

Would you mind driving slower? 

Importa-te (-se if formal) de conduzir mais devagar?

Stop, I want to get out here. 

Pare-te (Para-se), quero sair aqui.

OK, let's go, then. 

OK, então vamos. (Okay entaum vamosh)

Lodging

Do you have any rooms available? 

Tem quartos disponíveis? (teng KWAHR-toosh dish-po-NEE-veysh?)

How much is a room for one person/two people? 

Quanto custa um quarto para uma/duas pessoa(s)? (KWAHN-too KOOSH-tah oong KWAHR-too pah-rah OO-mah/DOO-ash PESS-wa(sh)?)

Does the room come with... 

O quarto tem... (oo KWAHR-too teng)

...bedsheets? 

...lençóis? (len-SOYSH?)

...a bathroom? 

...uma banheira? (oo-mah bah-NYAY-rah?)

...a telephone? 

...um telefone? (oon teh-leh-FONE? (Port.) / teh-leh-FOW-nee (Brazil))

...a TV? 

...um televisor? (oon teh-leh-VEE-zor?)

May I see the room first? 

Posso ver o quarto primeiro? (POH-soo vehr oo KWAHR-too pree-MAY-roo?)

Do you have anything quieter? 

Tem algo mais calmo? (teng AHL-goo mighsh KAHL-moo?)

...bigger? 

...maior? (mah-YOHR?)

...cleaner? 

...mais limpo? (mighsh LIM-poo?)

...cheaper? 

...mais barato? (mighsh buh-RAH-too?)

OK, I'll take it. 

OK, fico com ele. (FEE-coo com EL-ee)

I will stay for _____ night(s). 

Ficarei _____ noite(s). (fee-car-AY _____ NO-ee-chee(s))

Can you suggest another hotel? 

Pode sugerir outro hotel? (...)

Do you have a safe? 

Tem um cofre? (...)

...lockers? 

...cadeados? (...)

Is breakfast/supper included? 

O pequeno-almoço/ceia está incluído/a? (...)

What time is breakfast/supper? 

A que horas é o pequeno-almoço/ceia? (...)

Please clean my room. 

Por favor limpe o meu quarto. (...)

Can you wake me at _____? 

Pode acordar-me às _____? (...)

I want to check out. 

Quero fazer o registo de saída. (...)

Money

Do you accept American/Australian/Canadian dollars? 

Aceita dólares americanos/australianos/canadianos? (...)

Do you accept British pounds? 

Aceita libras esterlinas? (...)

Do you accept credit cards? 

Aceita cartões de crédito? (...)

Can you change money for me? 

Pode trocar-me dinheiro? (...)

Where can I get money changed? 

Onde posso trocar dinheiro? (Ond/ON-dee (Brazil)/ ON-jee (rio) POH-soh troCAR dee-NYEY-roo)

Can you change a Traveler's Cheque for me? 

Pode trocar-me um cheque de viagem (or ... um Traveler's Cheque)? (...)

Where can I get a Traveler's Cheque changed? 

Onde posso trocar um cheque de viagem (or ... um Traveler's Cheque)? (...)

What is the exchange rate? 

Qual é a taxa de câmbio? (qual eh ah tasha d'cam-BEE-oh?)

Where is an automatic teller machine (ATM)? 

Onde há um Multibanco? (Ond/ ON-dee (Brazil)/ ON-jee (rio)ah omm MultiBANcu)

Eating

A table for one person/two people, please. 

Uma mesa para uma/duas pessoa(s), por favor. (...)

Can I look at the menu, please? 

Posso ver o cardápio, por favor? (...)

Can I look in the kitchen? 

Posso ver a cozinha, por favor? (...)

Is there a house specialty? 

Ha uma especialidade da casa? (...)

Is there a local specialty? 

Há uma especialidade local? (...)

I'm a vegetarian. 

Sou vegetariano. (...)

I don't eat pork. 

Não como porco. (...)

I only eat kosher food. 

Só como kosher. (...)

Can you make it "lite", please? (less oil/butter/lard) 

Pode fazê-lo mais "leve" (menos óleo, manteiga, banha), por favor? (...)

half portion 

meia-dose (MEY-a dohz)

full portion 

uma dose (OO-mah dohz)

fixed-price meal 

refeição de preço fixo (...)

à la carte 

a la carte (...)

breakfast 

In Brazil: o café-da-manhã (cah-FEH dah man-YAHN) (Lit. coffee of the morning)
In Portugal: o pequeno-almoço (peh-KEH-noo ahl-MOH-soo) (Lit. small lunch)

lunch 

almoço (...)

tea (meal) 

lanche (...)

supper 

jantar (...)

fruit-and-vegetable store 

sacolão (sah-koh-LOWN)

bread store 

padaria (pah-dah-REE-ah)

I want _____. 

Quero _____. (...)

I want a dish containing _____. 

Quero um prato de _____. (...)

chicken 

In Brazil: frango(...)
In Portugal: galinha (...)

beef 

bife (...)

fish 

peixe (peysh)

snake 

cobra (...)

• Note that all snakes are called "cobra" (and what we call "cobras" don't live in Brazil or Port. Africa)

ham 

In Brazil: presunto (pre-ZOON-too)
In Portugal: fiambre (f'YAMBR)

sausage 

salsicha (...)

cheese 

queijo (KAY-zhoo)

eggs 

ovos (...)

salad 

salada (...)

barbecue/roasted meat 

churrasco (...)

(fresh) vegetables 

vegetais (frescos)(...)

(fresh) fruit 

fruta (fresca) (...)

pineapple 

In Brazil: abacaxi (ah-bah-kah-SHEE)
In Portugal: ananás (ah-nah-NAHSH)

acerola 

acerola (ah-se-ROH-lah)

cashew 

caju (kah-ZHOO)
In Brazil, this is the fruit; the nut is called castanha de caju (kash-TAH-nya ji kah-ZHOO).

guanabana, soursop 

graviola (grah-vee-OH-lah)

starfruit 

carambola (kah-ram-BOH-lah)

persimmon 

In Brazil: caqui (kah-KEE)
In Portugal: dióspiro (dee-OSH-pee-roo)

strawberry 

morango (moh-RAHNG-goo)

bread 

pão (powng), pl. pães (pighngsh)

toast 

torrada (...)

noodles 

massa (...)

rice 

arroz (ah-ROZH)

whole grain 

grão integral (grown een-cheh-GROWL)
This is said of brown rice too (arroz integral, not arroz castanho).

beans 

feijões (...)
N.B. Do not confuse feijão, pl. feijões, beans, with the feijoa, a small guava-like fruit.

May I have a glass of _____? 

Quero um copo de _____? (...)

May I have a cup of _____? 

Quero uma chávena(Port.)/xícara(Br.) de _____? (...)

May I have a bottle of _____? 

Quero uma garrafa _____? (...)

coffee 

café(...)

tea (drink) 

chá (...)

juice 

In Brazil: suco (SOO-koh)
In Portugal: sumo (SOO-moo)

(bubbly) water 

água com gás (...)

water 

água (AH-gwah)

beer 

cerveja (ser-VAY-zhah)

yerba mate 

erva-mate/tererê/chimarrão (ehr-vah mah-TEH / _MAH-chee (Brazil) / teh-heh-HEH / shee-mah-HOWN)

red/white wine 

vinho tinto/branco (...)

with/without 

com/sem (kong/seng)

ice 

gelo (ZHEH-loo)

sugar 

açúcar (ah-SOO-kar)

sweetener 

adoçante (ah-doh-SAHN-chee)

May I have some _____? 

Pode me dar _____? (...)

salt 

sal (sahl)

black pepper 

pimenta negra (...)

butter 

manteiga (mahn-TAY-gah)

Excuse me, waiter? (getting attention of server)

Desculpe, empregado? (...) (Note: use "garçom" in Brazil in this case. Empregado sounds a bit disrespectful, for it means literally "employee".)

I'm finished 

Já acabei. (zhah ah-kah-BAY)

I'm full 

Estou farto/a (is-tow FAR-too/tah)

It was delicious. 

Estava delicioso. (is-TAH-vah deh-lee-SYOH-zoo)

Please clear the plates. 

Por favor limpe os pratos.(Pt.)/ Por favor retire os pratos.(Br.) (...)

The check, please. 

A conta, por favor. (...)

Bars

Do you serve alcohol? 

Servem álcool? (...)

Is there table service? 

Há serviço de mesas? (...)

A beer/two beers, please. 

Uma cerveja/duas cervejas, por favor. (...)

A glass of red/white wine, please. 

Um copo de vinho tinto/branco, por favor. (Oom KOH-poh d'Vinyoo TINtoo, por faVOR)

A pint, please. 

Uma caneca, por favor. (...)

A bottle, please. 

Uma garrafa, por favor. (...)

_____ (hard liquor) and _____ (mixer), please. 

_____ and _____, please. (...)

whiskey 

whisky (wiss-kee)

vodka 

vodka (...)

rum 

rum (room)

Brazilian national drink (sugar cane brandy) 

birita/cachaça/canha (bee-HEE-tah / kah-SHAH-sah / KAH-nyah)

water 

água (AH-gwah)

club soda 

club soda (...)

tonic water 

água tónica (...)

orange juice (Port.) 

sumo de laranja (SOO-moo duh lah-RAHN-zhah)

orange juice (Brazil) 

suco de laranja (SOU-koh day lah-RAHN-jah)

Coke (soda) 

Coca-Cola (...), or Coca

Do you have any bar snacks? 

Tem aperitivos? (...)

One more, please. 

Mais um/uma, por favor. (...)

Another round, please. 

Mais uma rodada, por favor. (...)

When is closing time? 

A que horas fecham? (...)

Shopping

Do you have this in my size? 

Tem isto no meu tamanho? (...)

How much is this? 

Quanto custa? (...)

That's too expensive. 

É muito caro. (...)

Would you take _____? 

Aceita _____? (...)

expensive 

caro (...)

cheap 

barato (...)

I can't afford it. 

Não tenho dinheiro suficiente. (...)

I don't want it. 

Não quero. (...)

I'm not interested. 

Não estou interessado/a. (..)

OK, I'll take it. 

OK, eu levo. (...)

Can I have a bag? 

Dá-me um saco? (...)

Do you ship (overseas)? 

Envia para outros países? (...)

I need... 

Preciso de... (...)

...toothpaste. 

...pasta de dentes. (...)

...a toothbrush. 

...escova de dentes. (...)

...tampons. 

...tampões. (...)

...soap. 

...sabonete. (...)

...shampoo. 

...champô. (...)

...pain reliever. (e.g., aspirin or ibuprofen) 

...aspirina. (...)

...cold medicine. 

...remédio para resfriado. (...)

...stomach medicine. 

...remédio para as dores de estômago. (...)

...a razor. 

...uma lâmina. (...)

...an umbrella. 

...um chapéu de chuva(Pt.)/guarda-chuva(Br.). (...)

...sunblock lotion. 

...protector solar. (...)

...a postcard. 

...um cartão postal (...)

...(postage) stamps. 

...selos (de correio). (...)

...batteries. 

...pilhas. (...)

...a pen. 

...uma caneta. (...)

...English-language books. 

...livros em inglês. (...)

...English-language magazines. 

...revista em inglês. (...)

...an English-language newspaper. 

...jornais em inglês. (...)

...an English-Portuguese dictionary. 

...um dicionário de inglês-português. (...)

Driving

car, automobile, etc. 

carro (CAH ho)

I want to rent a car. 

Quero alugar um carro. (...)

Can I get insurance? 

Posso fazer um seguro? (...)

breakdown (car doesn't work) 

avaria (...)

stop (on a street sign) 

Port: stop (...)
Br: pare (PAH-reh)

one way 

sentido único (...)

yield 

preferencia (...)

no parking 

estacionamento proibido (...)

speed limit 

limite de velocidade (...)

gas (petrol) station 

Port. - estação de serviço (...) / Br. - posto de gasolina (...')

petrol 

gasolina (...)

diesel 

gasóleo/diesel (...)

towing enforced 

sujeito a reboque

trunk (US), boot (UK) 

porta-malas (...)

back seat 

banco traseiro (...)

driver's seat 

banco do motorista (...)

passenger's seat 

banco do passageiro (...)

steering wheel 

volante (...)

tire (US), tyre (UK) 

pneu (...)

parking/emergency/hand brake 

freio de estacionamento/ emergência/ mão (...)

brake pedal 

freio de pé (Brazil)/ travão de pé (Luso) (...)

brakes (in general) 

breques (Brazil)/ travões (Luso) (...)

alternator 

alternador (...)

fan belt 

correia de ventilador (...)

radiator 

radiador (hah-dee-AH-dor / hah-jee-AH-dor (Rio))

Authority

It's his/her fault! 

A culpa é dele/dela! (...)

It's not what it seems. 

Não é o que parece (...)

I can explain it all. 

Posso explicar tudo. (...)

I haven't done anything wrong. 

Não fiz nada de errado. [BR] Não fiz nada de mal. [PT] (...)

I swear I didn't do it Mr. Officer.

Juro que não fiz nada Seu Guarda. (Br.) Juro que não fiz nada, Senhor Guarda [PT] (...)

It was a misunderstanding. 

Foi um engano. (...)

Where are you taking me? 

Aonde me leva? (...)

Am I under arrest? 

Estou detido/Estou preso? (...)

I am an American/Australian/British/Canadian citizen. 

Sou um cidadão americano/australiano/britânico/canadense [BR]/canadiano[PT]. (...)

I want to talk to the American/Australian/British/Canadian embassy/consulate. 

Quero falar com o consulado americano/australiano/britânico/canadense. (...)

I want to talk to a lawyer. 

Quero falar com um advogado. (...)

Can I just pay a fine now? 

Posso pagar a coima(Port.)/fiança(Br.) agora? (...)