Portuguese greetings: how to say hello, how are you and goodbye in Brazil

How would you greet someone in Portuguese?

Greet someone in Brazil with Oi, tudo bem? (hi, how's it going?): it works with anyone, any time of day. With friends, E aí? (what's up?) is more casual; with an older person or in a shop, Bom dia, Boa tarde or Boa noite is warmer and more polite.

What does oi mean in Brazil?

Oi means hi, and it's the everyday hello in Brazil, for anyone at any time of day. Said as a question, Oi? also means “Sorry?” or “What did you say?”. On the phone, Brazilians answer with Alô? or simply Oi.

When do you say bom dia, boa tarde and boa noite?

Say bom dia until about noon, boa tarde from noon until it gets dark, and boa noite after dark. Unlike English “good night”, boa noite is also a hello: say it when you walk into a restaurant at 8 p.m. or get into a car at night.

How do you answer Tudo bem?

Answer Tudo bem? with Tudo bem! or Tudo bom! (all good), and ask back with E você? (and you?). If you're not great, Mais ou menos (so-so) is fine; Brazilians rarely expect a long answer.

How do you greet someone formally in Portuguese?

To greet someone formally in Brazil, use o senhor (to a man) or a senhora (to a woman) instead of você, and the time of day instead of oi: Bom dia. Como vai a senhora? Brazilians use this with older people and in formal service; in most other situations, você is the normal, polite “you”.

How do you say nice to meet you in Portuguese?

Say Muito prazer (nice to meet you) or just Prazer!; if someone says it first, O prazer é meu (the pleasure is mine) is a warm reply. To give your name, say Meu nome é… or Me chamo….

How do you respond to obrigado?

Respond to obrigado or obrigada with De nada (you're welcome). Brazilians also say Imagina! (don't mention it!), less often Por nada, and, more formally, Disponha (any time, at your service).

Do Brazilians kiss on the cheek when they say hello?

Often, yes: among friends and acquaintances, many Brazilians greet with a hug (um abraço) or kisses on the cheek (beijos). Between men, a hug or a handshake is more usual, and how many kisses people give changes from region to region. In a business meeting, a handshake is the safe start.

How do you sign off a message in Portuguese?

Sign off a message to friends or family with Beijos! (kisses!), often written bjs, and to coworkers with Um abraço! or Abraços (a hug, best). Brazilians sign off this warmly all the time; it doesn't mean anything romantic.

How do you say goodbye in Portuguese?

The everyday goodbye in Brazil is tchau (bye); add até logo (see you later), até amanhã (see you tomorrow) or até mais (see you). After dark, boa noite works as a goodbye too.

How CiaoSpeak's characters say goodbye at the end of a scene: