So, you’re diving into the vibrant world of Portuguese? Great choice. One of the fastest ways to sound natural is by mastering greetings. While textbooks usually start with formal expressions, real-life conversations are full of casual phrases and everyday slang.
Below is a lively mix of 20 essential Portuguese greetings, blending classic expressions with the informal language you’ll hear in Brazil and Portugal. I’ll also point out regional nuances where it matters, so you know what works best in each place.
20 Essential Portuguese Greetings
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Olá
The classic “hello.” Safe, reliable, and appropriate in almost any situation—formal or casual.
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Oi
“Hi” in its friendliest form. In Brazil, this is the most common everyday greeting.
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Bom dia
“Good morning.” Used in the morning and commonly said even among friends.
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Boa tarde
“Good afternoon.” Used from around noon until early evening. Polite, but still relaxed.
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Boa noite
“Good evening” or “good night.” Use it when arriving somewhere at night or when saying goodbye.
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E aí? (Brazil)
“What’s up?” Very casual and friendly. Often answered with another greeting rather than real details.
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Tudo bem?
“All good?” One of the most common greetings. You might hear “Tudo bem” or just “Tudo” in reply.
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Beleza? (Brazil)
“Cool?” or “All good?” Very informal and widely used among friends and coworkers in relaxed settings.
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Tranquilo? (Brazil)
“Everything chill?” Easygoing and conversational. Sometimes people reply with just “Tranquilo.”
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Como vai?
“How are you?” Neutral and slightly formal, but still common in everyday conversation.
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Como tá?
“How’s it going?” The casual version of “Como está?” Perfect for daily chats.
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Fala! (Brazil)
“Hey!” Literally means “Speak,” but used as a casual greeting to get someone’s attention.
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Opa!
“Hey!” or “Oops!” A versatile expression used to greet someone or simply acknowledge them.
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E aí, beleza? (Brazil)
“What’s up, all good?” A very common combination you’ll hear all the time in Brazil.
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Tudo certo?
“Everything okay?” Slightly more relaxed than “Tudo bem?”
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Alô
“Hello” on the phone. Mostly used when answering calls, not face-to-face.
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Bom te ver
“Good to see you.” Warm and natural when greeting someone you already know.
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Quanto tempo!
“Long time no see!” Perfect when you unexpectedly run into someone after a while.
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E aí, sumido? (Brazil)
“Where have you been?” Playful and informal. Only use this with people you know well.
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Tá ligado? (Brazil, slang)
“You know what I mean?” or “You get it?” Very casual and usually used with close friends, not as a standalone greeting.
Final Thought
Portuguese greetings are often stacked together. It’s very common to hear things like:
“Oi, tudo bem?”
“E aí, beleza?”
Just match the other person’s vibe, keep it simple, and you’ll sound natural in no time.
