🎩❓

How to Say ‘How are you? (formal)’ in Portuguese

Como está?

koh-moo shtah

[koh-moo shtah]

💬 Usage Tip: The polite "you" uses the same verb form as "he/she", so está serves for both, with no word for "you" needed.

🇵🇹 In Portugal: Use this with strangers, shop staff and older people. Portugal leans more formal than Brazil.

Phrase Breakdown

Como

[koh-moo]

How

Used to ask about the manner or way something is done.

Example

Como você chegou aqui?

How did you get here?

está

[shtah]

are (you, formal) / is

Form of 'estar' (to be, for states) used with 'você' or formal address, or for he/she/it.

Example

O senhor está cansado?

Are you tired, sir?

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