Introduction
Learning how to ask about the daily special is a practical first step for anyone dining out in Brazil. This article teaches simple, common Brazilian Portuguese phrases, vocabulary, and short dialogues to help beginners confidently ask What is the special today? and understand typical answers in restaurants, cafés, and food stalls.
- Basic phrase to ask What is the special today?
- Common variations and polite forms
- Useful vocabulary for menus and specials
- Typical responses you might hear
- Short beginner-friendly dialogues
- How to ask follow-up questions
- Pronunciation tips for beginners
- Common mistakes to avoid
- Practical scenarios and sample phrases
- Beginner tips to feel confident
- How to read a menu for the special
- Example menu items with translations
- Conclusion
Basic phrase to ask What is the special today?
The most direct way to ask What is the special today? in Brazilian Portuguese is Qual é o especial de hoje?
This sentence uses everyday words and is polite enough for most situations. It literally asks which item is the special for today.
Breakdown of the phrase
Qual = Which or What
é = is (third person singular of ser)
o = the (masculine singular definite article; many menu items are masculine but you can adjust if needed)
especial = special
de = of, for
hoje = today
Common variations and polite forms
You will hear several natural variations. Use the one that feels most comfortable.
Tem algum prato especial hoje?
This is slightly less formal and sounds like Do you have any special dish today?
O que tem de especial hoje?
A casual way to say What is special today? Useful in cafés and informal eateries.
Qual é o especial de hoje? is the best single phrase to learn first, but try the variations to sound more natural.
Polite additions
To add politeness when speaking to staff, start with Com licença or Por favor.
Com licença, Qual é o especial de hoje?
Por favor, Tem algum prato especial hoje?
Useful vocabulary for menus and specials
Cardápio = menu
Prato = dish
Prato do dia = dish of the day
Prato especial = special dish
Combinação = combo or combination
Acompanhamento = side dish
Porção = portion
Sobremesa = dessert
Bebida = drink
Vocabulary in short context
Prato do dia costuma incluir arroz e feijão.
O cardápio está na parede.
Sobremesa do dia: pudim.
Typical responses you might hear
Staff will answer in different ways depending on the restaurant. Here are common replies.
Hoje temos feijoada como prato do dia.
O especial de hoje é filé de peixe com legumes.
Temos uma lasanha na promoção hoje.
Hoje não tem prato especial.
A gente tem uma opção vegetariana especial hoje.
Translation and notes on replies
Hoje temos feijoada como prato do dia. = Today we have feijoada as the dish of the day.
O especial de hoje é filé de peixe com legumes. = The special today is fish fillet with vegetables.
Temos uma lasanha na promoção hoje. = We have lasagna on promotion today.
Hoje não tem prato especial. = There is no special today.
A gente tem uma opção vegetariana especial hoje. = We have a special vegetarian option today. Note: a gente is common spoken form for nós.
Short beginner-friendly dialogues
Dialogue 1 – small café
Cliente: Com licença, Qual é o especial de hoje?
Atendente: O especial de hoje é sanduíche de frango. Vem com salada.
Dialogue 2 – casual restaurant
Cliente: Por favor, Tem algum prato especial hoje?
Garçom: Sim. Hoje temos bife à parmegiana com arroz e batata frita.
Dialogue 3 – food stall
Cliente: O que tem de especial hoje?
Vendedor: Temos moqueca de camarão. Quer experimentar uma porção?
How to ask follow-up questions
After hearing the special, you may want more details. These follow-up questions are simple and useful.
O que vem junto? = What comes with it?
É servido com qual acompanhamento? = What side dish is it served with?
Tem opção sem glúten? = Is there a gluten-free option?
É picante? = Is it spicy?
Qual o preço? = What is the price?
Examples with follow-ups
Cliente: O especial de hoje é frango com molho?
Atendente: Sim. Vem com arroz e salada.
Cliente: Qual o preço?
Cliente: Tem opção sem glúten?
Atendente: Temos uma salada especial sem glúten.
Pronunciation tips for beginners
Pay attention to these simple pronunciation points to be understood:
Qual sounds like kwahl.
é sounds like eh with stress.
o as in o especial is pronounced like oo or oh depending on region; native speakers will understand either.
hoje sounds like oh-zhee or oh-jee (soft zh sound for j).
especial sounds like es-peh-see-awl.
Stress and rhythm
Portuguese often stresses the last or penultimate syllable. In especial stress falls on the second syllable, so say es-PE-cial.
Common mistakes to avoid
Using English word order or literal translations can sound odd. Avoid saying What is the special today? as O que é o especial hoje? while understandable, the natural form is Qual é o especial de hoje?
Mixing articles: If the menu item is feminine, match the article. For example, if the special is sopa, ask Qual é a especial de hoje? However, most learners will be understood using Qual é o especial de hoje?
Using formal unnecessary complexity. Keep it simple and polite with Com licença or Por favor.
Practical scenarios and sample phrases
At a breakfast place
Cliente: Com licença, Qual é o especial de hoje?
Atendente: Temos tapioca recheada com queijo e presunto.
At a lunch buffet
Cliente: Tem algum prato especial hoje?
Atendente: Hoje tem estrogonofe e opção vegetariana com legumes grelhados.
Ordering takeaway
Cliente: Por favor, O que tem de especial hoje?
Atendente: A promoção é sanduíche + suco por R$ 18,90.
Beginner tips to feel confident
Always start with Com licença or Por favor to be polite.
Listen for key words like hoje, especial, prato, preço, and acompanha(mento).
If you do not understand, say Desculpe, pode repetir, por favor? or Pode falar mais devagar? which means Sorry, can you repeat, please? and Can you speak more slowly?
Practice the main phrase Qual é o especial de hoje? until you can say it naturally. Use the variations to build confidence.
Useful quick phrases to keep in your pocket
Com licença, Qual é o especial de hoje?
Por favor, Tem algum prato especial hoje?
Desculpe, pode repetir, por favor?
Pode falar mais devagar?
How to read a menu for the special
Look for words like prato do dia, especial do dia, promoção, ou destaque. These usually indicate the daily special or discounted items.
Menus may list ingredients after a dash. If you see arroz e feijão, you know it comes with rice and beans. If sobremesa do dia appears, that is the dessert of the day.
Example menu items with translations
Prato do dia: feijoada completa com couve e laranja. = Dish of the day: full feijoada with collard greens and orange.
Especial do dia: peixe grelhado com legumes. = Special of the day: grilled fish with vegetables.
Promoção: sanduíche + refrigerante. = Promotion: sandwich + soda.
Conclusion
Mastering the simple question Qual é o especial de hoje? and its friendly variations opens many everyday opportunities to order food with confidence in Brazil. Learn the key vocabulary, practice the short dialogues, and use polite phrases like Com licença and Por favor. With these beginner-friendly tools, you will easily ask about specials, understand common replies, and order like a local.
