Introduction
Shopping for appliances in Brazil can be simple and enjoyable with a few key Portuguese phrases. This guide teaches beginner-friendly vocabulary, common questions, responses, and short dialogues you can use at an appliance store. Learn practical phrases to ask about price, warranty, delivery, and features in Brazilian Portuguese.
- Why learn appliance-store phrases?
- Essential vocabulary for appliance shopping
- Useful beginner questions to ask
- Natural replies you may hear
- Polite phrases and shopping etiquette
- Short realistic dialogues for beginners
- Key words explained in English
- Practical tips for beginners
- Common beginner mistakes and how to avoid them
- More short phrases for specific situations
- Short practice conversation at the checkout
- Where you might use these phrases
- Conclusion
Why learn appliance-store phrases?
When you need a geladeira, fogão, or máquina de lavar, knowing basic phrases makes communication faster and reduces misunderstandings. Stores in Brazil often have salespeople who speak some English, but using Portuguese shows respect and gets better service. This article focuses on practical, polite language you can use immediately.
Essential vocabulary for appliance shopping
Start with the core nouns for appliances and store-related words.
geladeira – refrigerator
fogão – stove
micro-ondas – microwave
máquina de lavar – washing machine
lava-louças – dishwasher
secadora – dryer
televisão – television
ar-condicionado – air conditioner
preço – price
garantia – warranty
entrega – delivery
instalação – installation
comprovante – receipt
promoção – sale/promotion
Useful beginner questions to ask
These sentences let you ask about price, availability, and features. The first appearance of each important phrase is bolded.
Quanto custa? – How much does it cost?
Esse modelo tem garantia? – Does this model have a warranty?
Qual é a voltagem? – What is the voltage?
Tem em estoque? – Do you have it in stock?
Vocês fazem entrega? – Do you do delivery?
Quanto custa a entrega? – How much is the delivery?
Vocês instalam? – Do you install it?
Posso parcelar? – Can I pay in installments?
Tem promoção? – Is there a promotion?
Tem outro modelo similar? – Do you have another similar model?
Natural replies you may hear
Staff might answer simply. These replies are short and common.
Sim, temos em estoque. – Yes, we have it in stock.
Não, está esgotado. – No, it’s sold out.
O preço é R$ 1.200. – The price is R$ 1,200.
Tem garantia de um ano. – It has a one-year warranty.
A entrega custa R$ 80. – Delivery costs R$ 80.
Instalamos por R$ 100. – We install it for R$ 100.
Você pode parcelar em 6 vezes. – You can pay in 6 installments.
Polite phrases and shopping etiquette
Beginner-friendly polite expressions make interactions smoother.
Com licença – Excuse me (to get attention)
Por favor – Please
Obrigado / Obrigada – Thank you (male/female speaker)
Posso ver esse modelo? – May I see this model?
Você pode mostrar as especificações? – Can you show the specifications?
Tem nota fiscal? – Do you have an invoice/receipt?
Short realistic dialogues for beginners
Dialogue 1 – Asking about price and delivery
Cliente: Com licença, quanto custa essa geladeira?
Vendedor: O preço é R$ 1.500.
Cliente: Vocês fazem entrega?
Vendedor: Sim, a entrega custa R$ 90.
Dialogue 2 – Warranty and installation
Cliente: Esse fogão tem garantia?
Vendedor: Tem garantia de dois anos.
Cliente: Vocês instalam?
Vendedor: Sim, instalação por R$ 120.
Dialogue 3 – Checking availability and payment
Cliente: Tem micro-ondas em estoque?
Vendedor: Temos apenas o modelo pequeno.
Cliente: Posso parcelar?
Vendedor: Sim, em até 10 vezes no cartão.
Key words explained in English
geladeira – refrigerator; used daily to store food.
fogão – stove; can be a fogão de mesa (countertop) or embutido (built-in).
máquina de lavar – washing machine; often sold as automática (automatic) or semi-automática.
garantia – warranty; period during which repairs are covered.
voltagem – voltage; common in Brazil are 110V or 220V, so always check.
entrega – delivery; some stores include free entrega for large purchases or distance limits.
Practical tips for beginners
Always ask about voltagem for electronic appliances. Bringing a photo of your electrical outlet or an adapter can help. Ask for garantia and what it covers to avoid surprises. If delivery is charged, ask whether disposal of the old appliance is included. Use polite phrases like com licença and por favor to make interactions friendlier.
Common beginner mistakes and how to avoid them
Mixing up obrigado and obrigada: choose the form that matches your gender. Forgetting to ask about voltagem: always ask Qual é a voltagem? Not confirming delivery time: ask Quando vocês entregam? (When do you deliver?) to get a specific date or window. Assuming warranty covers everything: ask what the garantia covers, for example Que itens a garantia cobre?
More short phrases for specific situations
When you want a discount: Tem desconto? – Is there a discount?
When checking returns: Qual é a política de troca? – What is the return/exchange policy?
When asking about energy consumption: Quanto consome de energia? – How much energy does it consume?
When asking for a model number: Qual é o modelo? – What is the model?
When asking for technical help: Tem assistência técnica? – Is there technical support?
Short practice conversation at the checkout
Cliente: Vou levar essa máquina de lavar.
Caixa: Pagamento no cartão ou dinheiro?
Cliente: Cartão. Posso parcelar?
Caixa: Sim, em 6 vezes sem juros.
Cliente: Perfeito, obrigado.
Where you might use these phrases
These phrases work in physical appliance stores, large retail chains, small neighborhood shops, and even when speaking with delivery or installation teams. Practice the short dialogues aloud before going to the store to build confidence.
Conclusion
With these beginner-friendly Brazilian Portuguese phrases and practical tips, you can confidently ask about price, warranty, delivery, and installation at an appliance store. Practice the short dialogues, learn core vocabulary like geladeira and garantia, and remember simple polite expressions to make shopping smoother and more pleasant.

