Useful Portuguese phrases for asking staff simple questions

Introduction

Learning a few simple questions in Brazilian Portuguese can make everyday interactions with staff much smoother and more pleasant. This guide covers useful phrases, vocabulary, beginner-friendly explanations, and short dialogues you can use in stores, restaurants, hotels, and on public transport. Everything is tailored to complete beginners who want practical, confidence-building language tools.

Why simple questions matter

When you travel or live in Brazil, staff at counters, reception desks, restaurants, and kiosks will often be the first people you talk to. Using clear, polite questions helps you get information fast and shows respect. Focus on pronunciation, key verbs, and polite markers to be understood even with limited vocabulary.

Key vocabulary to know

por favor — please

obrigado (if you are male) / obrigada (if you are female) — thank you

com licença — excuse me (to get attention or pass by)

desculpe — sorry / excuse me (to apologize or catch attention)

quanto — how much

onde — where

quando — when

qual — which

você — you (formal and informal in Brazil)

posso — can I / may I

tem — there is / do you have

gostar — to like

ajuda — help

Basic polite starters

Begin interactions with a polite starter. These short phrases open the conversation and make staff more willing to help.

com licença — use to get attention without being rude.

por favor — add to questions to sound polite.

desculpe — use to apologize for interrupting or if you made a mistake.

Essential simple questions to ask staff

These questions cover common situations: asking for prices, locations, schedules, availability, and basic assistance. Each phrase includes a short English explanation.

Quanto custa? — How much does it cost?

Tem em outro tamanho? — Do you have it in another size?

Você tem isso em outra cor? — Do you have this in another color?

Posso pagar com cartão? — Can I pay with a card?

Onde fica o banheiro? — Where is the bathroom?

Onde é a saída? — Where is the exit?

Que horas abre/fecha? — What time does it open/close?

Tem menu em inglês? — Do you have a menu in English?

Posso ver o menu, por favor? — Can I see the menu, please?

Tem wi-fi? — Do you have Wi-Fi?

Qual é a senha do wi-fi? — What is the Wi-Fi password?

Você pode me ajudar? — Can you help me?

Tem entrega? — Do you offer delivery?

How to ask for directions or locations

Asking where something is is one of the most useful skills. Combine onde with a place or object.

Onde fica a estação de metrô? — Where is the subway station?

Onde posso comprar um bilhete? — Where can I buy a ticket?

Como chego ao centro? — How do I get to downtown?

Fica longe? — Is it far?

Ordering and restaurant situations

When speaking to waitstaff, short clear questions work best. Use polite markers and point if unsure.

Posso ver o cardápio? — Can I see the menu?

Qual é o prato do dia? — What is the daily special?

Você recomenda algo? — Do you recommend anything?

Eu sou alérgico a nozes. — I am allergic to nuts. (change alérgico/alérgica based on gender)

Tem opção vegetariana? — Do you have a vegetarian option?

Eu vou querer isso, por favor. — I’ll have this, please.

A conta, por favor. — The check, please.

Hotel and service desk phrases

At hotels or reception, use clear, direct questions and have your documents ready. These phrases cover common requests.

Eu tenho uma reserva no nome de Silva. — I have a reservation under Silva.

Que horas é o café da manhã? — What time is breakfast?

Tem serviço de quarto? — Is there room service?

Você pode chamar um táxi? — Can you call a taxi?

Preciso de um mapa da cidade. — I need a city map.

Transportation and ticket counter questions

Use these for buses, trains, and airports. Short, direct language speeds up the interaction.

Onde é o embarque? — Where is the boarding gate?

Quanto custa o bilhete para Salvador? — How much is the ticket to Salvador?

Qual plataforma? — Which platform?

Quando sai o próximo ônibus? — When does the next bus leave?

Common simple replies from staff

Knowing likely responses helps you understand and follow up. Here are short replies staff might give and what they mean.

Sim, tem. — Yes, we have it.

Não temos. — We do not have it.

São quinze reais. — It’s fifteen reais.

Fica ali. — It’s over there.

Abre às oito. — It opens at eight.

Fecha às vinte e duas. — It closes at ten p.m.

Posso ajudar com mais alguma coisa? — Can I help with anything else?

Short beginner-friendly dialogues

These mini-conversations show natural flow and how to combine questions and replies. Use them as templates.

At a store:
Cliente: Com licença, quanto custa essa camisa?
Atendente: Custam cinquenta reais.
Cliente: Posso experimentar?
Atendente: Claro, o provador fica ali.

At a café:
Cliente: Por favor, tem cappuccino?
Barista: Sim, temos. Deseja pequeno ou grande?
Cliente: Grande, por favor.
Barista: São sete reais.

At a hotel:
Hóspede: Bom dia. Tem reserva para o quarto 204?
Recepção: Deixe-me ver… Sim, o quarto está pronto.
Hóspede: Perfeito, obrigado.

Beginner tips for being understood

Keep sentences short, speak clearly, and use polite markers. Pointing to items, showing numbers on a phone, or writing a word can help. If staff speak quickly, say Desculpe, pode repetir, por favor? which asks them to repeat.

Use numbers when asking prices or times. Practice pronouncing numbers 1 to 10 and common time words like hora and minuto.

When unsure about gendered endings, neutral phrasing often works. For example, say Eu sou alérgico or Eu sou alérgica depending on your gender; staff will understand either form.

Common beginner mistakes and how to avoid them

Beginners often mix word order or forget polite markers. Saying just a noun can be confusing; add por favor or a verb. Avoid literal translations like using English word order for complex questions. Instead, memorize the simple questions shown here.

Another mistake is speaking too quietly. Staff in busy places need clear volume, not shouting. Slow down and enunciate vowels, a key feature of Brazilian Portuguese pronunciation.

Quick pronunciation guide for key words

Keep pronunciation simple: pronounce each vowel clearly. Examples:

por favor — por fah-VOR (stress on second word)

obrigado/obrigada — oh-bree-GAH-do / oh-bree-GAH-da

onde — ON-jee

quanto — KWAHN-too

banheiro — ban-YEH-ro

Practical situational checklist

Before entering a shop or service counter, prepare this mental checklist: have cash or card ready, know the item name in Portuguese, and have polite phrases ready. These small steps speed up the interaction and reduce stress.

Checklist example:
1. Greet: Bom dia or Boa tarde
2. Ask: use a simple question like Quanto custa?
3. Thank: Obrigado/Obrigada

Additional useful short phrases

Bom dia / Boa tarde / Boa noite — Good morning / Good afternoon / Good evening

Mais barato? — Is it cheaper? (try to negotiate politely)

Posso pagar em dinheiro? — Can I pay in cash?

Está aberto? — Is it open?

How to practice these phrases realistically

Use the short dialogues above and repeat them aloud. Practice with a friend, language partner, or app that focuses on Brazilian Portuguese pronunciation. When you visit a Brazilian cafe or store, try just one phrase at a time: ask the price, then thank the person. Small successes build confidence quickly.

Conclusion

Memorizing a handful of polite, simple questions will make interactions with staff in Brazil much easier. Focus on clear pronunciation, short sentences, and polite markers like por favor and com licença. Use the phrases and dialogues in this article as practical templates you can adapt to real situations, and you will start communicating confidently right away.