What to say in Portuguese when checking the price before buying

Introduction

Learning what to say when checking the price before buying is one of the first practical skills for anyone visiting Brazil or shopping with Portuguese-speaking friends. This article covers common phrases, polite questions, price-related vocabulary, short dialogues, and cultural tips to help beginner to intermediate learners feel confident and natural.

Why price questions matter in Brazilian Portuguese

Asking about price is a routine interaction that can open up other polite exchanges like bargaining, asking about payment methods, or requesting a discount. Knowing the right phrases helps you avoid confusion, shows respect, and makes shopping smoother.

Key verbs and nouns to know

Start with a few essential words. The first time each word appears it is bolded; later uses are italicized.

Quanto — used to ask how much.

Custa — from the verb to cost (custar).

Preço — price.

Barato — cheap; Caro — expensive.

Desconto — discount; Promoção — sale or promotion.

Simple, polite questions to check the price

These are everyday phrases to ask how much something costs. Use them in stores, markets, or when browsing online marketplaces.

Direct but polite price questions

Quanto custa?

Usage note: Attach the item after the phrase. Example: Quanto custa a camiseta?

Qual é o preço?

Usage note: Slightly more formal. Example: Qual é o preço deste relógio?

Quanto é?

Usage note: Very common in spoken Brazilian Portuguese for prices. Example: Quanto é essa blusa?

Asking about price with politeness markers

Por favor, quanto custa?

Usage note: Add por favor to be extra polite. Example: Por favor, quanto custa este suéter?

Você pode me dizer o preço?

Usage note: Formal and helpful when addressing staff. Example: Você pode me dizer o preço desses sapatos?

Asking about discounts and promotions

Shoppers often want to know if there are sales or possible reductions. Use these phrases to check for lower prices.

Checking for sales or discounts

Tem desconto?

Usage note: Common at markets and stores. Example: Tem desconto neste produto?

Está na promoção?

Usage note: Use when you suspect an item might be on sale. Example: Essa TV está na promoção?

Faz desconto?

Usage note: Often used when negotiating. Example: Se eu levar dois, faz desconto?

Payment-related price questions

Price can change depending on payment method. These phrases help you confirm the final cost.

Qual o preço à vista?

Usage note: Refers to cash or one-time payment price. Example: Qual o preço à vista do celular?

Qual o preço parcelado?

Usage note: Refers to installment plan price. Example: Qual o preço parcelado em 6 vezes?

Aceita cartão?

Usage note: Ask if they accept cards; often follows price questions. Example: Aceita cartão de crédito?

Short natural dialogues for real situations

Below are examples of short dialogues for different shopping contexts: a market, a boutique, and an electronics store. Use line breaks where appropriate to show turns of speech.

Dialogue: street market

Comprador: Quanto custa o abacaxi?
Vendedor: R$ 5,00 cada.
Comprador: Tem desconto se eu levar dois?
Vendedor: Posso fazer R$ 9,00 pelos dois.

Dialogue: clothing store

Cliente: Por favor, quanto custa essa jaqueta?
Atendente: Está R$ 299,90.
Cliente: Tem promoção para pagamento à vista?
Atendente: À vista fica R$ 269,90.

Dialogue: electronics store

Cliente: Qual o preço deste notebook?
Vendedor: Está por R$ 3.499,00.
Cliente: Aceita cartão e parcelamento em 12 vezes?
Vendedor: Sim, parcelado em 12 vezes com juros ou 10 vezes sem juros.

Numbers, currency, and pronunciation tips

Understanding how prices are spoken and written in Brazil will prevent misunderstandings. The currency is the real, abbreviated R$ and often uses comma for decimal separators.

How prices are said aloud

R$ 19,90 is spoken as dezenove reais e noventa centavos or dezanove reais e noventa. Example: R$ 19,90 — dezenove reais e noventa centavos.

Large numbers: R$ 1.000,00 is mil reais. Example: R$ 1.200,00 — mil e duzentos reais.

Common pronunciation notes

The word reais is pronounced roughly like hy-ice with a soft r depending on region, and centavos sounds like sen-TAH-vos. For quick shopping, locals often say only the integer part: cinquenta reais and leave out centavos.

Polite phrases and cultural tips

Brazilian shoppers value friendliness. A brief greeting or a smile goes a long way. Use these polite forms to sound natural and respectful.

Polite starters and closers

Bom dia and Boa tarde are common greetings in stores. Example: Bom dia, quanto custa este produto?

Obrigado (said by male speakers) and Obrigada (said by female speakers) are used to thank shopkeepers. Example: Obrigado, vou pensar.

If you decide not to buy, a simple Tudo bem, obrigado is appropriate. If you choose to buy, say Perfeito, eu levo or Vou levar este.

Haggling and bargaining etiquette

Bargaining is common in street markets and some independent shops but less common in fixed-price stores. Start with a friendly tone and propose a reasonable offer. Use phrases like Faz um desconto? or Tem como reduzir o preço? Avoid lowball offers that could be seen as rude.

Example negotiation: Comprador: Faz R$ 45,00?
Vendedor: Posso fazer R$ 50,00. Tudo bem?
Comprador: Fechado, eu levo.

Asking about taxes and hidden costs

Sometimes final price depends on taxes, fees, or shipping. Use these phrases to clarify total cost.

Common questions about final price

O preço inclui imposto?

Usage note: Useful for larger purchases. Example: O preço inclui imposto ou tem taxa adicional?

Qual o valor do frete?

Usage note: For online or delivery purchases. Example: Qual o valor do frete para Porto Alegre?

Tem garantia?

Usage note: Ask about warranty for electronics or appliances. Example: Esse produto tem garantia de um ano?

Useful follow-up questions and responses

After you hear a price, these phrases help you respond or probe further.

Follow-up questions

Posso pagar com cartão?

Usage note: Clarify payment method. Example: Posso pagar com cartão de débito?

Posso parcelar?

Usage note: Ask about installments. Example: Posso parcelar em 6 vezes sem juros?

Tem caixa?

Usage note: Ask if they have gift wrapping or a retail box. Example: Tem caixa para presente?

Common responses from sellers

Sim and Não are basic yes/no answers. Other helpful seller phrases include:

Esse é o melhor preço — this is the best price.
Posso fazer desconto — I can give a discount.
Leva dois por — take two for (used when offering a bundle price).

Quick cheat sheet: essential phrases to memorize

Memorize a short list of phrases to use when shopping. First occurrence bolded, later italicized.

Quanto custa?

Qual é o preço?

Tem desconto?

Aceita cartão?

À vista or Parcelado?

Obrigado / Obrigada

Practice with short role-play templates

Try simple role-plays in your head or with a partner. Keep it short and natural. Below are three templates you can adapt to different items.

Template 1: Buy a souvenir

Você: Bom dia, quanto custa este chaveiro?
Vendedor: R$ 15,00.
Você: Tem desconto se eu levar três?
Vendedor: Posso fazer R$ 40,00 pelos três.

Template 2: Buying clothes

Você: Qual é o preço desta saia?
Atendente: Está R$ 129,90.
Você: Posso pagar no cartão em 3 vezes?
Atendente: Sim, em 3 vezes sem juros.

Template 3: Electronics question

Você: Esse fone de ouvido tem garantia?
Vendedor: Sim, um ano de garantia.
Você: Qual o preço parcelado?
Vendedor: R$ 299,00 em 10 vezes.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

New learners often miss small words or use the wrong register. Here are a few tips to avoid common errors.

Mistake: Saying Quanto é o preço de instead of Quanto custa or Qual é o preço. Use Quanto custa or Qual é o preço for clarity.

Mistake: Forgetting politeness. Always add por favor or bom dia in shops to be courteous.

Mistake: Misreading numbers. Remember that Brazil uses comma for decimals and period for thousands: 1.000,50 is mil reais e cinquenta centavos.

Extra vocabulary for deeper shopping conversations

These additional words will expand your ability to discuss price-related topics.

Nota fiscal — receipt; troco — change; garantia — warranty; entrega — delivery; promoção relâmpago — flash sale.

Conclusion

Mastering phrases to check price in Brazilian Portuguese makes everyday shopping easier and more enjoyable. Practice the basic questions, learn polite forms, and remember cultural tips like greetings and friendliness. With the dialogues, templates, and vocabulary here, you will be ready to ask Quanto custa, negotiate politely, and complete purchases confidently in Brazil.