The Philosophy: Recognition, Not Production
Most language resources focus on speaking—learning phrases, pronunciation, and conversation. That's great for long-term learning, but it's not what most travelers need immediately.
When you land in São Paulo or Lisbon, your first challenge isn't making small talk. It's:
- Finding the right exit at the airport
- Understanding which metro line to take
- Reading a parking sign before you get towed
- Knowing what you're ordering at a restaurant
- Recognizing an emergency warning
This site teaches recognition vocabulary—words you'll READ on signs, menus, tickets, and screens. You don't need perfect pronunciation. You just need to know what things mean.
🎯 The Goal
When you see "SAÍDA DE EMERGÊNCIA" above a door, you should instantly know it means "Emergency Exit"—not stare at it wondering if it's safe to go through.
🇧🇷 Brazil vs. 🇵🇹 Portugal: One Language, Two Systems
Portuguese is spoken in both Brazil and Portugal, but they're not identical. Think of it like American vs. British English—mostly the same, but with meaningful differences that can trip you up.
Why the Differences Matter for Travelers
Unlike American/British English, the differences in Portuguese go beyond spelling. Many everyday words are completely different:
| English | 🇧🇷 Brazil | 🇵🇹 Portugal |
|---|---|---|
| Bus | ÔNIBUS | AUTOCARRO |
| Train | TREM | COMBOIO |
| Bathroom | BANHEIRO | CASA DE BANHO |
| Breakfast | CAFÉ DA MANHÃ | PEQUENO-ALMOÇO |
| ATM | CAIXA ELETRÔNICO | MULTIBANCO |
| Cell phone | CELULAR | TELEMÓVEL |
| Pedestrian | PEDESTRE | PEÃO |
| Refrigerator | GELADEIRA | FRIGORÍFICO |
Using the Region Toggle
Throughout this site, you'll see a toggle in the header:
Set it to your destination, and all vocabulary will show the appropriate regional variant. Words that differ between regions are marked with a special indicator, and you can always see the alternative version.
What's Actually Different?
1. Completely Different Words
Some concepts use entirely different vocabulary. "Bus" is ÔNIBUS in Brazil but AUTOCARRO in Portugal—there's no overlap at all.
2. Spelling Variations
The 1990 Portuguese Language Orthographic Agreement unified some spellings, but differences remain. Brazil uses more accent marks and different conventions for certain sounds.
3. Same Word, Different Meaning
⚠️ Watch out for these! Some words exist in both countries but mean different things:
- BANHEIRO: Bathroom in Brazil, but lifeguard in Portugal!
- PROPINA: Bribe in Brazil, but tuition fees in Portugal
- BICHA: Queue/line in Portugal, but a slur in Brazil
4. Emergency Numbers
This is critical! Emergency numbers are completely different:
🇵🇹 Portugal: 112 (All emergencies—EU standard)
How to Use This Site
Before Your Trip
- Set your region using the toggle in the header
- Browse the 50 Essential Words to get the basics
- Download cheat sheets for sections relevant to your trip
- Focus on categories you'll need: Driving if renting a car, Transit if using public transport, etc.
During Your Trip
- Use the search function to look up unfamiliar words
- Keep cheat sheets handy on your phone or printed
- Pay attention to signs—you'll start recognizing patterns quickly
Key Sections
- Driving: Road signs, parking, gas stations, tolls, rental cars
- Transit: Metro, buses, trains, ticket machines
- Food & Drink: Restaurant menus, dietary terms, cafés
- Lodging: Hotels, apartment rentals, laundry
- Shopping: Stores, pharmacies, ATMs, markets
- Navigation: Directions, building signs, museums
- Emergencies: Medical, police, warnings
- 50 Essential Words: The must-know vocabulary
A Note on Pronunciation
This site includes pronunciation guides, but remember: your goal is recognition, not production. The pronunciations are simplified guides to help you connect the written word to something you might hear announced.
Brazilian and European Portuguese sound quite different—Brazilian is generally slower and more open, while European Portuguese can sound more clipped and mumbled to English speakers. But for reading signs, this doesn't matter much!
Limitations & Disclaimers
This site is designed for travelers, not linguists. We've focused on:
- Words you'll actually encounter as a tourist
- Practical contexts over comprehensive coverage
- Recognition over production
This is not a substitute for:
- Formal Portuguese language learning
- A comprehensive dictionary
- Speaking practice or conversation skills
If you're planning an extended stay or want to actually speak Portuguese, we recommend supplementing this with proper language courses!
About the Creator
This site was created by a language enthusiast and frequent traveler who got tired of being confused by signs in Portuguese-speaking countries. After one too many wrong turns and menu mishaps, the idea for "Just Enough Portuguese" was born.
Questions, corrections, or suggestions? Get in touch!