How do you say thank you in Portuguese?
Say obrigado (a man) or obrigada (a woman). It literally means "obliged", which is why it agrees with you, the speaker.
| Portuguese | Meaning | In CiaoSpeak |
|---|---|---|
| obrigado | thank you, said by a man | Unit 1 |
| obrigada | thank you, said by a woman | Unit 1 |
| muito obrigada | thank you very much | Unit 2 |
| Só isso, obrigada. | That's all, thanks. | Unit 4 |
| Não precisa, obrigado. | No need, thanks. (A woman says obrigada.) | Speak: New job |
How do you say "thank you for…" in Portuguese?
Use obrigado por / obrigada por; before a noun, por joins the article: pelo (por + o) and pela (por + a). Obrigada pelo convite! is "Thanks for the invitation!".
| Portuguese | Meaning | In CiaoSpeak |
|---|---|---|
| Obrigada pelo convite! | Thanks for the invitation! | Unit 11 |
| Obrigado pela oportunidade. | Thank you for the opportunity. | Unit 23 |
| Obrigado por tudo! | Thanks for everything! | Not in the course |
| Obrigada pela ajuda. | Thanks for the help. (a woman speaking) | Not in the course |
How do you say thanks casually in Brazil?
Among friends, and to drivers or the person who holds the door, say valeu ("thanks"). More in what valeu means.
| Portuguese | Meaning | In CiaoSpeak |
|---|---|---|
| valeu | thanks (casual) | Unit 2 |
| Valeu! Até mais. | Thanks! See you. | Speak: Ride-app car |
How do Brazilians answer obrigado?
Brazilians answer with de nada ("you're welcome") or imagina! ("don't mention it"). The guide to Portuguese greetings has every reply.
| Portuguese | Meaning | In CiaoSpeak |
|---|---|---|
| de nada | you're welcome | Unit 2 |
| Imagina! | Don't mention it! Not at all! | Unit 18 |
What mistakes do English speakers make with obrigado?
The classic mistake is matching obrigado to the person you're thanking; it matches you.
- A woman thanking a man with obrigado. She says obrigada, whoever she's talking to.
- A man saying obrigada because he's thanking a woman. He says obrigado.
- Obrigado por a ajuda. Por + a becomes pela: obrigado pela ajuda.
How can you practice saying it out loud?
Say it to someone who answers. In CiaoSpeak's Brazilian Portuguese course, the lessons teach obrigado, obrigada and valeu with a recording in a Brazilian accent, and in the Speak tab a character in a real scene (a São Paulo baker, a Rio ride-app driver, your language-exchange partner Ana) talks to you and you answer out loud. The app tells you whether a Brazilian would understand you, with one gentle fix if not. Lessons are free; in the Speak tab, today's questions (up to five a day) are free too, and CiaoSpeak+ adds practice in any scene whenever you like. More phrases: how to say everyday things in Portuguese.