Top 50 phrases to get by Portugal: Dining out
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Key Phrases
Quero isto
I want this
A conta, por favor
The check, please
Saúde!
Cheers!
Skills You'll Learn
Ordering food and drinks
Pedir comida e bebidas
Requesting the bill
Solicitar a conta
Toasting in social settings
Brindar em eventos sociais
Lesson Vocabulary & Phrases
Menu/Ementa
meh-noo ee-men-tah
Menu
💬 Menu and 'Ementa' are used interchangeably, but 'Ementa' is a bit more traditional.
🇵🇹 In Portugal, menus often highlight dishes made with fresh, local ingredients.
See breakdown →Água
ah-gwah
Water
💬 The 'á' in 'Água' is stressed; it sounds like 'aa-goo-ah'.
🇵🇹 Tap water is generally safe in Portugal, but ask for 'água da torneira' if you prefer it to bottled.
See breakdown →Vinho
vee-nyoo
Wine
💬 Pronounced like 'vee-nyo'. Remember the 'nh' is similar to the English 'ny'.
🇵🇹 Portugal is famous for its wine, especially Port and Vinho Verde.
See breakdown →Cerveja
ser-veh-zhah
Beer
💬 'Cerveja' is pronounced 'ser-vej-a'.
🇵🇹 Beer is popular in Portugal, and you’ll often find local brands like Super Bock or Sagres.
See breakdown →Café
kah-feh
Coffee
💬 Café is pronounced as 'ka-feh' and usually refers to a shot of espresso.
🇵🇹 Portugal has a strong café culture; sipping 'café' at a terrace is a favorite pastime.
See breakdown →Quero isto
keh-roo ees-too
I want this
💬 This is pronounced 'keh-roo ees-too'. The 'q' sounds like 'k'.
🇵🇹 It's polite to say 'por favor' (please) after 'Quero isto'.
See breakdown →Delicioso
deh-lee-see-oh-soh
Delicious
💬 Pronounced 'de-lee-syoo-zo'.
🇵🇹 Use this to compliment chefs and make friends in Portugal!
See breakdown →A conta, por favor
ah con-tah poor fah-vor
The check, please
💬 'A conta' is pronounced 'ah con-tah'.
🇵🇹 In Portugal, you'll often need to ask for the check; it won't be brought automatically.
See breakdown →Vegetariano
veh-zh-eh-tah-ree-ah-noh
Vegetarian
💬 Pronounced 've-zhe-tah-ree-ah-no'.
🇵🇹 Vegetarian options are becoming more common but always double-check if fish stock is used.
See breakdown →Learn this vocabulary list the easy way
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