Portugal has some of the most beautiful and richly historical towns and cities, and also some of the most popular restaurants in the world. One of the best ways to learn more about Portugal is by speaking the language, which is a lot easier than you think. It only takes a few phrases to get by in everyday situations, and using them correctly will make a massive difference to your understanding of the country and its people. Here’s how to speak Portuguese like a local.
The Language Basics
Speaking Portuguese is easy, thanks to the fact that it is an inflexible Latin-based language, which makes it very adaptable to any setting or country. You don’t necessarily need a book to learn the essentials, as YouTube and social media are filled with useful videos and real-life examples of how to say things. Of course, reading a textbook or going through an English course might also prove beneficial. Knowing the basics will put you well on your way to communicating in standard Portuguese.
Although Portugal is one of Europe’s most popular travel destinations with a lot of foreign influence, it is a very homogeneous country, which means that the majority of people only speak Portuguese, and probably a little Spanish as well. This also makes it quite easy for non-natives to learn the language, as there aren’t that many words and phrases that a non-Portuguese speaker would need to learn. And as there aren’t that many words and phrases that a non-Portuguese speaker would need to learn, it is going to be easier for you to navigate everyday life in a foreign country if you know how to speak Portuguese. This is also true when travelling in Portugal, as you won’t find that many people who don’t speak English, so even if you do manage to speak a little Portuguese, you’ll find that you’re the only one who understands most of what is being said to you. This can make you feel like a bit of an outsider, which is something you shouldn’t feel at all in Portugal.
Where To Buy Things
Learning how to shop in a Portuguese speaking country can be difficult, especially if you’re not used to going to stores that are specifically aimed at tourists. You won’t know what most of the items are for, and will have to ask for help, even if you speak a little Portuguese. It would be best to stick to large supermarkets and shopping malls, where you’ll find plenty of English speaking staff who will be able to help you. You can also look for the English speaking sign outside, to make sure you’re in the right place. If you decide to venture into a small shop, don’t be surprised if the owner doesn’t want to speak any foreign languages, and will therefore talk slowly and patiently to you, not because they don’t want to help, but because they don’t want to waste their time dealing with a lazy foreigner. This is not something you want to do, as it’ll make you seem less like a tourist and more like a local, which is important if you want to fit in with the crowd.
Speaking Portuguese will give you a great advantage in Portugal, and being able to order food and drinks in the local restaurants, as well as go to the shops to buy what you need, is something that you’ll enjoy. If you know how to order in Portuguese, it will also make the majority of the people around you understand you, which can be useful if you want to have a normal everyday life in a country that is completely new to you. You may decide that since you’ll be living there for a while, and will mostly be with people who don’t speak English, it might be a good idea to learn a few phrases, rather than just relying on subtitles or captions, which can sometimes be difficult to understand without hearing the language directly. Even if you do everything else perfectly, without having the fluency that comes from speaking the language, you’ll have a hard time understanding everything that’s happening around you.
Getting by in Portugal without knowing much Portuguese can be difficult. However, with a little planning and effort, it’s completely possible. By speaking the language a few phrases and words, you’ll be able to greatly ease your transition to life in Portugal, and make the most out of your time there. And who knows – maybe one day, you’ll even decide to make the country your home. Who knows – maybe one day, you’ll even decide to make the country your home. The opportunities are endless.