Useful Portuguese phrases for apartment visits

Introduction

Visiting apartments in Brazil can be exciting and confusing for beginners learning Brazilian Portuguese. This article gives practical, beginner-friendly phrases, vocabulary, and short dialogues you can use during apartment visits, inspections, and conversations with landlords or real estate agents.

Essential vocabulary for apartment visits

Learn these common words first so you can recognize key terms during a viewing.

apartamento – apartment

quarto – bedroom

sala – living room

cozinha – kitchen

banheiro – bathroom

varanda – balcony

vaga de garagem – parking space

aluguel – rent

condomínio – condominium fee / homeowners association fee

lavanderia – laundry

mobiliado – furnished

planta – floor plan

proximal – nearby (note: in everyday speech, mais perto or perto de is more common)

Useful phrases to start the conversation

When you arrive, use simple, polite phrases to introduce yourself and state your purpose.

Olá, eu sou o João. Vim ver o apartamento. – Hello, I’m João. I came to see the apartment.

Bom dia, tenho horário marcado para visitar o apartamento. – Good morning, I have an appointment to visit the apartment.

Este é o apartamento disponível? – Is this the available apartment?

Você é o corretor/síndico/proprietário? – Are you the agent/manager/owner?

Questions to ask during the viewing

These are practical questions you can ask while walking through the unit. They are short and easy to remember.

O apartamento é mobiliado? – Is the apartment furnished?

Qual é o valor do aluguel? – What is the rent?

O condomínio está incluído no aluguel? – Is the condo fee included in the rent?

Tem vaga de garagem? – Is there a parking space?

Qual é a metragem? – What is the square footage?

Tem máquina de lavar/louça? – Is there a washing machine/dishwasher?

Como é a segurança do prédio? – How is the building security?

Qual é a política para animais de estimação? – What is the pet policy?

Qual é o prazo do contrato? – How long is the lease?

Quando o apartamento estará disponível? – When will the apartment be available?

Follow-up questions for details

Use these to get specifics that matter for decision-making.

Quanto é o depósito caução? – How much is the security deposit?

Os eletrodomésticos ficam? – Do the appliances stay?

A água e o gás são individuais? – Are water and gas metered separately?

Tem internet/TV a cabo disponível? – Is internet/cable TV available?

Como é a vizinhança? – How is the neighborhood?

Common replies from landlords or agents

Recognize these replies so you can understand what the person tells you.

Sim, fica mobiliado. – Yes, it comes furnished.

O aluguel é R$ 1.800 por mês. – The rent is R$ 1,800 per month.

O condomínio custa R$ 400. – The condo fee is R$ 400.

Tem uma garagem para um carro. – There is one parking spot.

Disponível a partir do dia 1º do mês que vem. – Available from the 1st of next month.

É necessário um fiador ou seguro-fiança. – A guarantor or rental insurance is required.

Short example dialogues

Here are two beginner-friendly dialogues you might hear during a real apartment visit. Read them aloud to practice pronunciation and flow.

Agent: Olá, bem-vindo. Você tem hora marcada?
Visitor: Sim, às 15h. Eu sou a Maria.
Agent: Perfeito. Vou mostrar o apartamento.

Visitor: O apartamento é mobiliado?
Owner: Não, está vazio, mas a cozinha tem armários e fogão.
Visitor: Qual é o valor do condomínio?
Owner: R$ 350 por mês.

Practical sentences for checking conditions

These phrases help you point out or ask about repairs, cleanliness, and utilities.

O chuveiro está funcionando? – Is the shower working?

Tem algum problema com vazamento? – Is there any leak?

As janelas abrem e fecham bem? – Do the windows open and close well?

A porta tem tranca segura? – Does the door have a secure lock?

Tem goteira na varanda quando chove? – Does the balcony leak when it rains?

Simple phrases for negotiating and next steps

After you decide you like an apartment, use these practical lines to move forward.

Posso pensar e te dou uma resposta até amanhã? – Can I think about it and give you an answer by tomorrow?

Qual é a documentação necessária? – What documents are required?

Posso assinar o contrato esta semana? – Can I sign the contract this week?

Tem como reduzir um pouco o aluguel? – Is it possible to lower the rent a little?

Você aceita depósito por transferência? – Do you accept deposit by bank transfer?

Polite expressions and small talk

Politeness is helpful. Use these short, friendly lines.

Obrigado/a pelo seu tempo. – Thank you for your time.

Com licença, posso entrar? – Excuse me, may I come in?

Desculpe, não entendi. Pode repetir, por favor? – Sorry, I didn’t understand. Could you repeat, please?

Você pode falar mais devagar? – Can you speak more slowly?

Beginner tips for pronunciation and listening

Keep these practical tips in mind during visits to improve communication.

Brazilian Portuguese has nasal sounds and open vowels. Listen for nasal vowels in words like banheiro and condomínio.

When someone says numbers (rent, fees, apartment number), repeat them back to confirm: R$ 1.800, certo?

If you miss a word, ask for repetition: Pode repetir, por favor?

Use simple verbs in the infinitive: ver (to see), alugar (to rent), entrar (to enter).

Common beginner mistakes and how to avoid them

Avoid these frequent errors so your conversations stay clear and polite.

1. Mixing European Portuguese forms like tu and vocês with Brazilian usage. In Brazil, use você and vocês in most situations.

2. Forgetting gender agreement: apartamento is masculine, so use o apartamento; sala is feminine, so use a sala.

3. Mishearing numbers. Repeat prices and dates to confirm: É R$ 1.200 por mês?

4. Using formal vocabulary too early. Simple verbs and nouns work best for beginners.

Sample message to schedule a visit

Use this short, realistic text message when contacting an agent or owner to arrange a viewing.

Olá, meu nome é Lucas. Gostaria de agendar visita ao apartamento 103 hoje às 17h. É possível?

This message is polite, short, and includes the unit number and proposed time. Change names and times as needed.

Short checklist to bring to a viewing

Bring these items and mental checks to stay organized.

Bring a notebook or use your phone to note rent, condomínio, and contact details.

Bring a measuring tape if you want to check furniture fit.

Bring identification and a copy of your documents if the owner asks for them on the spot.

Check water pressure, electrical outlets, and cellular signal during the visit.

Conclusion

With these beginner-friendly Brazilian Portuguese phrases, vocabulary, and short dialogues, you can confidently handle apartment visits. Practice the key expressions, listen actively, and use polite, clear questions when talking with agents or owners. Soon you will understand more and make better renting decisions in Brazil.