Portuguese phrases for asking about prices politely

Introduction

Polite questions about price are essential when shopping, eating out, or taking transportation in Brazil. This article teaches beginner-friendly Brazilian Portuguese phrases to ask about prices politely, explains key words, shows natural replies, and offers useful tips and common mistakes to avoid.

Why politeness matters when asking for prices

Being polite makes interactions smoother and more pleasant. In Brazil, simple courtesies show respect and often lead to friendlier service. Use a softer tone, say hello first, and add words like por favor or com licença to sound polite. These little phrases help when you ask about prices in stores, markets, taxis, or restaurants.

Key vocabulary for prices

preço — price

custa — costs (from the verb custar)

quanto — how much

por favor — please

com licença — excuse me

troco — change (money returned)

cartão — card

dólar — dollar (used when mentioning currency)

Simple polite questions to ask about prices

Quanto custa? — How much does it cost?

Quanto é? — How much is it? (very common)

Quanto custa, por favor? — How much does it cost, please?

Com licença, quanto é isso? — Excuse me, how much is this?

Tem preço? — Does it have a price? / Is there a price for this?

When you want to be extra polite

Desculpe, você pode me dizer o preço? — Sorry, can you tell me the price?

Por favor, qual é o preço? — Please, what is the price?

Asking about discounts, promotions, and price negotiations

Tem desconto? — Is there a discount?

Está em promoção? — Is it on sale?

Tem preço especial? — Is there a special price?

Posso pagar menos? — Can I pay less? (used in markets or informal settings)

Asking about payment methods and change

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

Aceita cartão? — Do you accept cards?

Tem troco? — Do you have change?

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

Common replies from vendors and staff

Custa cinquenta reais. — It costs fifty reais.

É trinta e cinco reais. — It is thirty-five reais.

Está em promoção por vinte reais. — It is on sale for twenty reais.

Sim, aceitamos cartão. — Yes, we accept cards.

Não temos troco grande. — We don’t have large change.

Posso dar desconto de dez por cento. — I can give a ten percent discount.

Short beginner-friendly dialogues

Scenario: buying a souvenir at a market

Vendedor: Olá, boa tarde. Posso ajudar?

Cliente: Com licença, quanto custa essa caneca?

Vendedor: Custa vinte reais. Posso fazer por quinze se levar duas.

Cliente: Obrigado, vou pensar.

Scenario: ordering food at a small restaurant

Garçom: Boa noite, o que deseja?

Cliente: Quanto custa o prato do dia, por favor?

Garçom: Hoje está por vinte e cinco reais, inclui arroz e salada.

Cliente: Perfeito, vou querer um, por favor.

Practical phrases for public transportation and services

Quanto custa a passagem? — How much is the fare?

Tem preço para estudante? — Is there a student price?

Quanto é a corrida até o aeroporto? — How much is the ride to the airport?

Qual é a tarifa? — What is the rate?

Explaining key words in English

preço — The general word for price. Use this when asking for the cost of items or services.

custa — From the verb custar. Use it to say how much something costs, e.g., custa dez reais.

quanto — Means how much. It is combined with verbs to form questions, e.g., quanto custa?.

troco — Refers to money returned when you pay with a larger bill. Ask tem troco? if you need smaller change.

desconto — Discount. Useful in markets and shops when negotiating prices.

Beginner tips for sounding natural and polite

Always start with a greeting: say bom dia or boa tarde before your question. This is polite and common.

Use por favor and obrigado/obrigada to be courteous. If you are male, use obrigado; if female, use obrigada.

When pointing at an item, use isso or este/esta to refer to it: Quanto custa isso? or Quanto custa esta camisa?

Listen for numbers: Ótimo spots to learn numbers are menus and price tags. Learn the numbers from 1 to 100 to understand prices.

Common beginner mistakes and how to avoid them

Mistake: Forgetting to use por favor or com licença. Fix: Add these short words; they make a big difference.

Mistake: Confusing quanto custa and quanto é. Fix: Both are correct; use either, but listen to native speakers and use the shorter quanto é in casual situations.

Mistake: Using European Portuguese forms or vocabulary. Fix: Stick to Brazilian Portuguese examples like dinheiro, troco, and cartão.

Mistake: Mispronouncing numbers. Fix: Practice listening to numbers on menus or price tags and repeat aloud.

Realistic example situations

At a bakery: Bom dia. Quanto custa esse pão francês?

Reply: Dois reais cada.

At a clothing store: Boa tarde. Quanto é essa blusa, por favor?

Reply: Está por sessenta reais, desconto se levar duas.

At a bus station: Com licença, quanto custa a passagem para o centro?

Reply: Cinco reais, senhora.

How to ask follow-up questions about price details

Ask about taxes: Isso já inclui imposto? — Does that already include tax?

Ask about extras: Tem taxa de serviço? — Is there a service fee?

Ask about portions or size: Esse é o preço para o pequeno ou grande? — Is that the price for the small or large?

Useful number words (short list)

um — one

dois — two

três — three

dez — ten

vinte — twenty

cinquenta — fifty

cem — one hundred

Quick checklist before asking about price

1. Greet the person: bom dia / boa tarde / boa noite.

2. Use com licença if you need attention.

3. Ask politely: Quanto custa? / Quanto é?

4. Add por favor and say obrigado/obrigada when you get the answer.

5. Ask follow-ups about discount, payment methods, or change if needed.

Conclusion

Learning a few polite Portuguese phrases for asking about prices will boost your confidence and make everyday interactions easier in Brazil. Use greetings, por favor, and simple questions like Quanto custa? and Quanto é?, listen for numbers, and practice the vocabulary in real situations. With these beginner-friendly phrases and tips, you will be ready to ask about prices politely and clearly.