Basic Portuguese Greetings You Need to Know for Daily Conversations
Let’s face it, there’s nothing more awkward than freezing up when someone greets you in Portuguese. You’re standing there, heart racing, trying to remember anything besides “uhhh.” 🙈 But don’t worry. Whether you’re planning a trip to Brazil, hoping to chat with locals in Lisbon, or just solving a Portuguese greeting crossword clue, this guide is here to help.
We’re walking you through 20 must-know Portuguese greetings that cover every vibe. Want something chill? Say “Oi” — a super common 3 letter Portuguese greeting. Need to impress at a formal event? We’ve got you covered there too.
You’ll also learn the real oi meaning Portuguese greeting lovers should know, plus the exact oi Portuguese greeting usage that keeps conversations flowing naturally. We’ll even show you how Brazilian Portuguese greetings sometimes differ from the ones in European Portuguese, without overloading you with grammar.
And hey, if you’re ever stuck on a friendly Portuguese greeting crossword or just want to sound more local than tourist, you’re in the right spot.
Ready to level up your first impressions in Portuguese? Let’s go 👇
Basic Portuguese Greetings
In this section, we’ll cover everything you need to get the conversation rolling: different ways to say hello and goodbye in Portuguese, greetings for specific times of the day, and some friendly expressions that’ll help you sound more natural.
Practice Portuguese with this Online Game:
| in Portuguese | in English | S |
|---|---|---|
| Alô? | Hello? | |
| Ché | Hi/Hey | |
| Ei! | Hey! | |
| Oi | Hi | |
| Olá | Hello | |
| Olá, rapaz | Hello, young man | |
| Olá, Senhora | Hello, Ma’am | |
| Olá, senhorita | Hello, Miss | |
| Olá, Senhor | Hello, Sir | |
| Oie | Hiii | |
| Opa | Hey/Whoa | |
| Tché | Hi/Hey | |
| Abração | Big hug | |
| Adeus | Goodbye | |
| Até a próxima | Until next time | |
| Até amanhã | See you tomorrow | |
| Até breve | See you soon | |
| Até logo | See you later | |
| Até mais | See you later | |
| Beijo | Kiss | |
| Beijinho | Little kiss | |
| Falou | Later | |
| Fui | I’m out | |
| Tchau | Bye | |
| Te vejo | See you | |
| Valeu | Thanks/Bye | |
| Vou indo | I’m going | |
| Xau | Bye |
Ways To Say Hello In Portuguese
Just like in English, where we might switch between “hello,” “hi,” and “hey” depending on who we’re talking to, Portuguese greetings can be formal, informal, or somewhere in between. Let’s break down the most common ways to say hello and when to use each one.
| Greeting | Translation | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Alô? | Hello? | Used when answering the phone |
| Ché | Hi/Hey | Alternative spelling of Tché |
| Ei! | Hey! | Very informal, used among friends and young people |
| Oi | hi | Casual, everyday greeting used among friends and familiar people |
| Olá | hello | Universal, can be used in any situation – both formal and informal |
| Olá, rapaz | Hello, young man | Semi-formal greeting for young men |
| Olá, Senhora | Hello, Ma’am | Formal greeting for married/older women |
| Olá, senhorita | Hello, Miss | Formal greeting for young/unmarried women |
| Olá, Senhor | Hello, Sir | Formal greeting for men |
| Oie | Hiii | Super casual, playful version of “oi” (often used in texting) |
| Opa | Hey/Whoa | Informal Brazilian greeting, similar to “what’s up” |
| Tché | Hi/Hey | Regional greeting from Southern Brazil (especially Rio Grande do Sul) |
Ways To Say Goodbye in Portuguese
Whether you’re ending a business meeting, leaving a group chat, or wrapping up a fun convo with friends, knowing how to say goodbye in Portuguese helps you leave with good vibes. Some are cute and casual, others are a bit more formal. This list gives you everything from classic goodbyes to Brazilian slang that’ll make you sound way more local.
| Phrase | Translation | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Tchau | Bye | Super common Portuguese greeting to end a convo, casual and universal |
| Xau | Bye | Alternate spelling of tchau, often used in texting |
| Adeus | Goodbye | Very formal, often used for permanent or emotional goodbyes in Portugal |
| Até logo | See you later | Casual, used in both Portugal and Brazil |
| Até mais | See you later | Very common in Brazilian Portuguese, casual and friendly |
| Até a próxima | Until next time | Chill and polite way to end a conversation |
| Até amanhã | See you tomorrow | Used when you’re meeting the next day |
| Até breve | See you soon | Friendly and semi-formal, great for general use |
| Te vejo | See you | Casual, friendly, great for texting or informal settings |
| Falou | Later | Brazilian slang, super informal, kind of like saying “peace” |
| Fui | I’m out | Slang in Brazil, used like “I’m gone” or “see ya” |
| Vou indo | I’m going | Casual, used to signal you’re heading out |
| Valeu | Thanks/Bye | Brazilian slang that means both thanks and goodbye |
| Abração | Big hug | Warm, friendly Brazilian goodbye used in messages or in person |
| Beijo | Kiss | Informal, used between friends or in texts, mostly in Brazil |
| Beijinho | Little kiss | Cute and affectionate, informal, often used between close friends |
From a formal adeus to the flirty beijinho, now you’ve got all the goodbye vibes in your toolkit. These expressions are especially helpful if you’re using Langlandia or chatting with native speakers in the app’s daily convo or voice game features.
Portuguese Greetings by Time of Day
Just like you’d say “good morning” or “good night” in English, there are specific Portuguese greetings that change depending on the time of day. These are super helpful whether you’re starting a conversation, walking into a café, or trying to impress locals with the right vibe. If you’ve ever seen a friendly Portuguese greeting crossword clue that mentions morning or night this is probably what it’s referring to.
| Greeting | Translation | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Bom dia | Good morning | Used until around noon, polite and super common everywhere |
| Boa tarde | Good afternoon | Used from noon until early evening |
| Boa noite | Good evening/Good night | Said after sunset or when leaving at night, also used to say good night before bed |
| Tenha um bom dia | Have a good day | Friendly and polite, usually when parting in the morning |
| Tenha uma boa tarde | Have a good afternoon | A nice way to say goodbye in the afternoon |
| Tenha uma boa noite | Have a good night | Polite, used when someone is heading out at night or going to sleep |
| Dorme bem | Sleep well | Casual and affectionate, usually said to close friends or partners |
| Sonhos doces | Sweet dreams | Very affectionate, usually said before bed in texts or goodbyes |
| Boa madrugada | Good early morning | Rare, but used between 1–5 am, like if you’re chatting super late |
These greetings are a great way to make your Portuguese sound more natural and thoughtful. Whether you’re messaging someone on Langlandia at night or joining a voice challenge in the morning, getting the timing right makes a big difference.
Special Occasion Greetings in Portuguese
Whether it’s someone’s birthday, a wedding, or a holiday message, these special Portuguese greetings help you show you care. They’re warm, festive, and will definitely make you sound more connected and kind-hearted in any convo or message.
| Greeting | Translation | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Feliz aniversário | Happy birthday | Classic birthday greeting, works in both Portugal and Brazil |
| Parabéns | Congratulations | Common for birthdays, achievements, or good news |
| Tudo de bom | All the best | Friendly, positive message for any occasion |
| Felicidades | Best wishes | Often paired with “parabéns,” used in weddings or life milestones |
| Boas festas | Happy holidays | General holiday greeting, especially around Christmas & New Year |
| Feliz Natal | Merry Christmas | Common seasonal greeting, warm and traditional |
| Feliz Ano Novo | Happy New Year | Said after midnight on New Year’s Eve or on January 1st |
| Feliz Páscoa | Happy Easter | Religious holiday greeting |
| Bom feriado | Have a good holiday | Used for long weekends or national holidays |
| Boa sorte | Good luck | Used before a big event, exam, or life change |
| Melhoras | Get well soon | Said when someone is sick or recovering |
| Meus pêsames | My condolences | Formal, used during loss or grief |
| Bem-vindo(a) | Welcome | Friendly greeting when someone arrives |
| Bem-vindos todos | Welcome everyone | Often used to welcome a group to an event or gathering |
Now you’re ready to celebrate, comfort, and cheer people on all in Portuguese. These greetings are perfect for special messages in Langlandia’s chat or for voice notes during holiday-themed learning events.
Bonus: Slang & Playful Portuguese Greetings
Once you’ve got the basics down, it’s time to spice things up with some slang. These playful Portuguese greetings help you sound way more natural like someone who’s been chatting with locals forever (or just plays a lot of Langlandia voice battles).
| Greeting | Translation | Context |
|---|---|---|
| E aí? | What’s up? | Super casual, like “yo” or “what’s going on” — used with friends |
| Oi sumido | Hey stranger | Used when someone disappears for a while (flirty or joking) |
| Beleza? | All good? | Very common in Brazil, friendly check-in or greeting |
| Suave? | Chill? | Another way to say “you good?” — very relaxed tone |
| Tranquilo | Chill/No worries | Used to greet or respond, like “it’s all good” |
| Fala aí | Speak up/What’s up | Casual Brazilian greeting, similar to “yo” or “talk to me” |
| Salve | Yo/Hey | Urban slang, used in rap culture and friend groups |
| Tamo junto | We’re in this together | Friendly support phrase, used like “we got this” |
| Cheguei | I’ve arrived | Used when you show up somewhere — often sent as a text or post |
| Eita | Whoa/Whoa there | Not exactly a greeting, but often said when reacting in convos |
| Bão demais | So good! (Hi!) | Regional from Minas Gerais, Brazil — cute and super friendly vibe |
| Opa e aí | Hey, what’s up | Combo slang phrase, informal and upbeat |
| Xuxu beleza | Sweet! (Hi!) | Vintage slang, sometimes used playfully or ironically |
These greetings help you blend in with locals, slide into DMs, or surprise your Langlandia match with some personality. Whether you’re saying “Oi sumido” to a long-lost friend or “Beleza?” to your crush, you’re officially fluent in playful Portuguese greetings.
How To Learn Portuguese Greetings
Learning Portuguese greetings doesn’t have to feel like a school assignment. It’s way more fun (and effective) when you turn it into a game. Instead of trying to memorize everything at once, focus on practicing in context like greeting people at the right time of day or copying how native speakers say hello.
Here are some easy ways to start:
- Practice with native speakers in real convos
- Use voice chats or language apps to get used to hearing and saying greetings
- Leave post-its with greetings around your mirror, fridge, or laptop
- Record yourself saying each phrase — it seriously helps with pronunciation
- Match greetings to daily moments (say “bom dia” in the morning, “boa noite” at night)
- Learn greetings by vibe: start casual (like “oi”) before jumping into the fancy ones
- Watch native speakers and notice the tone, body language, and timing
Want to go beyond the basics?
Langlandia turns learning greetings into a game. You won’t just memorize words you’ll battle, chat, and level up while getting comfortable with real Portuguese conversations. Here’s how:
🧠 PvP Battle
Challenge other learners to match greetings with their meanings and sounds. Under time pressure, your brain learns to recognize common Portuguese greetings fast no boring flashcards needed.
🌍 Langlympics
Compete in themed greeting challenges like “Formal vs Informal” or “Brazilian Slang Match.” You’ll get super familiar with greeting styles across Brazil and Portugal while unlocking cool rewards.
⚔️ Clan Wars
Join a team and help unlock new greeting expressions. Practice daily hellos, goodbyes, and time-specific phrases together and boost your motivation while doing it as a squad.
🎓 Classroom Mode
Use greetings in real situations, like meeting someone new or checking into a hotel. With pronunciation practice and instant feedback, you’ll sound way more natural in no time.
So yeah, no need to pressure yourself into learning everything at once. Start with a few greetings, have fun with it, and let your skills grow as you play. With Langlandia, you’re not just learning you’re living the language.
Download here!
Frequently Asked Questions About Portuguese Greetings
What’s the difference between Brazilian Portuguese and European Portuguese greetings?
Brazilian and European Portuguese share a lot, but they vibe differently. Brazilians tend to be way more casual with greetings like “oi,” “tchau,” “e aí,” and even “beleza?” European Portuguese is more formal with expressions like “olá” and “adeus.” If you want to sound natural in both, Langlandia has region-based greeting games and convos to help you switch styles like a pro.
What’s the most polite way to greet someone in Portuguese?
Time-based greetings like “bom dia,” “boa tarde,” or “boa noite” paired with titles like Senhor or Senhora are super respectful. For example, “Bom dia, Senhora Oliveira” is a classy way to say hello. Langlandia’s Classroom Mode lets you practice this kind of formal talk in real situations so you get it right without second guessing.
How do I know when to use formal vs informal greetings?
Think of it like English. You wouldn’t text “yo” to your professor. Use formal greetings for work, elders, or first-time meetings. Go casual with “oi,” “e aí,” or “beleza” with friends. Langlandia helps you build that instinct through mini-games and dialogues where you pick the vibe based on context.
Do I need to kiss or hug when greeting people in Portuguese-speaking countries?
Yep, physical greetings are part of the culture. In Brazil, it’s common to give one or two cheek kisses with friends or family. Guys usually go for handshakes or quick hugs. In Portugal, greetings are more reserved, and handshakes are standard in formal settings. Langlandia shows you these cultural moves through interactive character scenes so you’ll know what feels natural in each country.
What are common mistakes to avoid with Portuguese greetings?
Here’s what to look out for:
❌ Saying “boa noite” during the day
❌ Using Brazilian slang like “valeu” in formal settings
❌ Dropping “adeus” casually in Brazil (it’s super final)
Langlandia helps you dodge those mistakes by teaching you when and where each greeting fits. You’ll hear them used in conversations, try them out in challenges, and get instant feedback so you build real confidence.
