Useful Portuguese phrases for furniture shopping

Introduction

Buying furniture in Brazil can be a fun and practical way to practice Brazilian Portuguese. This article presents beginner-friendly phrases, vocabulary, and short dialogues you can use at furniture stores, markets, and with delivery services. Learn words for items, ask about sizes and prices, and handle simple transactions confidently.

Essential Vocabulary for Furniture Shopping

Start with the most common furniture items. Each Portuguese word is shown with a clear English explanation you can memorize.

sofa – couch or sofa

cama – bed

mesa – table

cadeira – chair

guarda-roupa – wardrobe / closet

estante – bookshelf / shelving unit

comodinha – bedside table / nightstand

armário – cabinet

tapete – rug

colchão – mattress

Useful Adjectives and Measurements

These words help describe size, material, and condition.

grande – large

pequeno – small

médio – medium

novo – new

usado – used

de madeira – made of wood

de metal – made of metal

de vidro – made of glass

largura – width

altura – height

profundidade – depth

peso – weight

Common Questions to Ask in the Store

These practical questions help you get information about availability, price, and delivery. The first appearance of the main phrase is highlighted.

Quanto custa? – How much does it cost?

Quanto custa is essential for shopping.

Tem este em outra cor? – Do you have this in another color?

Qual é o material? – What is the material?

Qual o tamanho? – What size is it?

Vocês entregam? – Do you deliver?

Qual o prazo de entrega? – What is the delivery time?

Tem garantia? – Does it have a warranty?

Posso ver o produto montado? – Can I see the product assembled?

Aceitam cartão? – Do you accept cards?

Simple Replies You May Hear

These are short responses store staff might give. Learning them helps you understand answers quickly.

Custa duzentos reais. – It costs two hundred reais.

Sim, temos outra cor. – Yes, we have another color.

É de madeira maciça. – It is solid wood.

É grande: largura 2 metros, altura 0,9 metro. – It is large: width 2 meters, height 0.9 meter.

Sim, entregamos em três dias úteis. – Yes, we deliver in three business days.

Tem garantia de um ano. – It has a one-year warranty.

Sim, aceitamos cartão de crédito. – Yes, we accept credit card.

Practical Phrases for Negotiation and Payment

When shopping, you may want to ask for a discount or confirm payment details.

Tem desconto? – Is there a discount?

Posso parcelar? – Can I pay in installments?

Qual é o valor à vista? – What is the cash price?

Preciso de nota fiscal. – I need a receipt/invoice.

Vou pagar no cartão/dinheiro. – I will pay by card/cash.

Short Beginner Dialogues

Dialogues show how phrases connect in real interaction. They are short and practical.

Cliente: Quanto custa este sofá?
Vendedor: Custa mil e quinhentos reais.
Cliente: Tem entrega?
Vendedor: Sim, entregamos amanhã.

Cliente: Este guarda-roupa é de madeira?
Vendedor: É MDF, não é madeira maciça.
Cliente: Qual o tamanho?
Vendedor: Altura dois metros, largura um metro e oitenta.

Cliente: Posso parcelar em seis vezes?
Vendedor: Sim, em até seis vezes sem juros.
Cliente: Perfeito, vou levar.

Phrases for Delivery and Assembly

After buying, use these phrases to arrange delivery and setup.

Quero agendar a entrega. – I want to schedule delivery.

O entregador monta o móvel? – Does the delivery person assemble the furniture?

Qual é o custo da montagem? – What is the assembly cost?

Devo estar em casa no horário combinado? – Do I need to be home at the agreed time?

Por favor, cuidado com o elevador. – Please, be careful with the elevator.

Common Mistakes and Beginner Tips

These tips help avoid confusion and sound more natural.

Use the correct currency word: say reais for Brazilian currency, not dollars.

Confirm dimensions: repeat numbers back to avoid mistakes. For example: Então é 2 metros de largura?

Ask whether measurements use centimeters or meters. Say é em centímetros?

Politeness goes a long way: say por favor and obrigado/obrigada.

Practice numbers: prices and sizes require understanding numbers. Repeat them slowly when you hear them.

How to Describe Problems or Return Items

If an item is damaged or you need a return, these phrases help you explain the issue.

O móvel chegou danificado. – The furniture arrived damaged.

Quero trocar este produto. – I want to exchange this product.

Posso cancelar a compra? – Can I cancel the purchase?

Tem assistência técnica? – Is there technical service?

Practice with Realistic Scenarios

Short situations help you prepare mentally before you go shopping.

Scenario 1: You need a small table for a balcony. Practice: Procuro uma mesa pequena para varanda. Qual o tamanho?

Scenario 2: You want to check delivery time. Practice: Se eu comprar hoje, quando entregam?

Scenario 3: You prefer a specific color. Practice: Tem este armário na cor branca?

Pronunciation Tips for Beginners

Portuguese pronunciation differs from English. These quick tips help you be understood.

Syllable stress often falls on the last or penultimate syllable. For example, mesa stressed on me-sa.

The letter r can sound like an h at the start of words in Brazilian Portuguese: robô sounds like h-oh-BOH.

Vowels are generally pronounced clearly. Say each vowel fully in short words like sofa and cadeira.

Quick Cheat Sheet: Must-Know Phrases

Quanto custa? – How much?

Tem em estoque? – Is it in stock?

Posso pagar em cartão? – Can I pay by card?

Vocês entregam? – Do you deliver?

É montagem inclusa? – Is assembly included?

Conclusion

With these beginner-friendly Brazilian Portuguese phrases and vocabulary, you can shop for furniture with confidence. Learn item names, ask about size and price, arrange delivery, and handle common store interactions. Use the short dialogues and tips to practice before visiting a store, and soon these phrases will feel natural.