💼5️⃣📅🏨🛎️

How to Say ‘I worked for five years in a hotel, at reception.’ in Portuguese

Trabalhei cinco anos num hotel, na receção.

trah-bah-LYAY SEEN-koo AH-noosh noon oh-TEL nuh reh-seh-SOWN

[trah-bah-LYAY SEEN-koo AH-noosh noon oh-TEL nuh reh-seh-SOWN]

Phrase Breakdown

Trabalhei cinco anos

trah-bah-LYAY SEEN-koo AH-noosh

I worked for five years

Past tense of 'trabalhar', stressed on the final syllable: 'tra-ba-LYAY'.

Example

Trabalhei cinco anos numa loja.

I worked for five years in a shop.

Words in this phrase

Trabalhei

[trah-bah-LYAY]

I worked

Past tense, 'eu' form of 'trabalhar' (to work).

Example

Trabalhei muito ontem.

I worked a lot yesterday.

cinco

[SEEN-koo]

five

The number 5.

Example

Somos cinco pessoas.

We are five people.

anos

[AH-noosh]

years

Plural of "ano," used for talking about repeated yearly events.

Example

Há anos que participo nesta conferência.

I have been taking part in this conference for years.

num hotel,

noon oh-TEL

in a hotel,

'Num' is 'em' plus 'um' (in a). The 'h' in 'hotel' is silent: 'num o-TEL'.

Example

Fiquei num hotel.

I stayed in a hotel.

Words in this phrase

num

[noon]

in a

Contraction of 'em' (in) + 'um' (a).

Example

Moro num apartamento.

I live in an apartment.

hotel

[oh-TEL]

hotel

A place where travellers pay to stay overnight.

Example

O hotel fica no centro.

The hotel is in the centre.

na receção.

nuh reh-seh-SOWN

at the reception.

'Na' is 'em' plus 'a' (in/at the). 'Receção' is the European Portuguese spelling, with a nasal ending: 'rre-se-SÃO'.

Example

Pergunte na receção.

Ask at the reception.

Words in this phrase

[nuh]

in the / on the

Contraction of em + a, used before feminine singular nouns like semana.

Example

Na próxima reunião, posso apresentar a proposta.

At the next meeting, I can present the proposal.

receção

[reh-seh-SOWN]

reception

The front desk of a hotel or office where visitors are received.

Example

Pergunte na receção.

Ask at reception.

Guides for Portuguese learners

The Portuguese You Actually Need in Your First Month in PortugalThe European Portuguese phrases for your first weeks in Portugal: paperwork, renting a flat, the bank, the health centre, cafés, trains and your new neighbours.

Get the Full Learning Experience

This lesson is just a preview. Download PrettyFluent to practice pronunciation, roleplay conversations, and master vocabulary with spaced repetition.

Pronunciation Feedback

AI-powered feedback on what you say out loud

Spaced Repetition

Retain vocabulary long-term with smart practice

Immersive Roleplaying

Practice real conversations with AI partners

Lessons for Your Situation

Request lessons tailored to your specific needs

Get Full Lesson

What Learners Are Saying

“Moved to Lisbon with zero Portuguese and honestly thought I’d be pointing at menus forever. Three weeks in and I’m having real conversations with my landlord.”

Priya N., 35, Freelance Designer

“I tried five different apps before this one. The roleplay conversations are what finally made things click. I actually remember what I learn now.”

Sofia R., 31, Marketing Manager

“Learning a language has never been as immediately impactful. Now I can charm the locals and navigate the food scene like a boss.”

Alex M., 42, Software Engineer