Ch 1 · Lesson 3Portuguese · Chapter 1 · Lesson 3 · Grammar primer
Tudo bem, obrigado, tchau: how are you, thanks and goodbye
? and its answer, and , or by who is speaking, and before against after.
The short version
, ? , ?
Why?Hide
? is how Brazilians say hello and how are you in one go, and the expected answer is the same two words back: , e ? It is not an invitation to describe your week. ? and ? do the same job.
, Paulo! .
Why?Hide
literally means obliged, so it agrees with the person speaking: a man says , a woman says , whoever they are thanking. The answer is , and in Brazil you will also hear .
Tudo bem? How are you, Brazilian style
? means literally all well?, and it follows almost every hello. The usual answer repeats the words and hands the question back.
| Question | Answer | English |
|---|---|---|
? | , ? | Fine, and you? |
? | , ? | Fine, and you? |
? | , . | Great, thanks. |
? | , . | Well, thanks. |
Like English how are you?, it is a greeting more than an enquiry: the expected answer is short and positive. ? is a little more formal, good with older people or at work. Among friends you will also hear ?, roughly what's up?
has a second meaning, that's OK:
! - .- Sorry! - That's OK.
EP: says ? too, but ? (how are you?) is more common with anyone you do not know well.
Saying goodbye: tchau, até logo, até amanhã
is the everyday goodbye. The phrases mean until... and say when you will meet again.
| Goodbye | Literally | Means |
|---|---|---|
| (from ciao) | bye |
| until soon | see you later |
| until more | see you |
| until tomorrow | see you tomorrow |
A typical Brazilian goodbye stacks two:
, !- Bye, see you tomorrow!
sounds final in Brazil, a farewell to someone you may never see again.
EP: in is an ordinary goodbye: , !
Obrigado or obrigada: it depends on who is speaking
literally means obliged, so it agrees with the person who feels obliged: the speaker. Who you thank makes no difference.
| Speaker | Says | English |
|---|---|---|
| a man | . | Thank you. |
| a woman | . | Thank you. |
| a man | . | Thank you very much. |
- !
- .
The customer is a woman, so she says obrigada, whoever she is thanking. The baker answers de nada.
The reply is , literally of nothing. Brazilians also say !, roughly don't mention it.
! - .- Thank you! - You're welcome.
Por favor, com licença, desculpa
English excuse me does two jobs, and Portuguese splits them. Ask: am I asking permission before, or apologising after?
| Phrase | When | Example |
|---|---|---|
| asking for something | , . |
| before: getting past | , ? |
| after: apologising | , . |
| the same, more polite | , . |
The examples: a coffee, please; excuse me, can I get past?; sorry, I didn't mean it; sorry, madam.
is the one for strangers, older people and work; is everyday and friendly. From a beginner, either is fine.
Going further: The whole system on one screen and the rest of the guide, when you want them. This lesson does not need them.
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Lesson 3 of 40 in this chapter