Introduction
Printing photos in Brazil or at a Brazilian-style print shop is a common activity that requires a few useful Portuguese phrases. This guide helps complete beginners know what to say when ordering prints, asking about sizes, paper types, prices, pickup times, and basic problems. Learn key vocabulary, short dialogues, and polite expressions in Brazilian Portuguese so you can confidently print photos during travel or when interacting with Brazilian speakers.
Why these phrases matter
When you walk into a photo shop or use a self-service kiosk, simple Portuguese phrases speed up the interaction and reduce mistakes. Staff often work quickly and appreciate clear requests. Knowing how to ask for sizes, quantities, and finishing options prevents wasted prints and makes the process smooth.
Basic vocabulary for printing photos
foto — photo
impressão — print
imprimir — to print
tamanho — size
papel — paper
brilhante — glossy
fosco — matte
quantidade — quantity
preço — price
prazo — time frame / turnaround
retrato — portrait
paisagem — landscape
arquivo — file
pendrive — USB flash drive
cartão de memória — memory card
resolução — resolution
cortar — to crop / cut
recortar — to trim
Key phrases to use in a photo shop
Eu quero imprimir estas fotos — I want to print these photos
Quantas cópias? — How many copies?
Posso escolher o tamanho? — Can I choose the size?
Qual o tamanho 10 por 15? — Is there a 10×15 size? (10×15 cm is common)
Em que tipos de papel vocês têm? — What types of paper do you have?
Quero em papel brilhante — I want glossy paper
Quero em papel fosco — I want matte paper
Quanto custa cada impressão? — How much does each print cost?
Quanto tempo demora? — How long does it take?
Posso pagar com cartão? — Can I pay by card?
Explaining photo sizes and counts
Brazilian print shops often use centimeters or standard photo sizes like 10×15, 13×18, and 15×21. If you need a specific size, say it clearly.
Quero 3 impressões 10×15 e 2 impressões 13×18 — I want 3 prints 10×15 and 2 prints 13×18
Somente uma cópia, por favor — Just one copy, please
How to deliver your files
Staff will ask how you want to provide the images. Be ready with a USB, memory card, or to send files by email or a messaging app.
Posso passar pelo pendrive — Can I give it on a USB?
Prefere que eu envie por WhatsApp? — Do you prefer I send it by WhatsApp?
O arquivo está no meu celular — The file is on my phone
If using a phone, common phrasing helps: Posso compartilhar pelo WhatsApp? — May I share it via WhatsApp?
Common finishing options and phrases
Print shops may offer lamination, mounting, or retouching. Use simple phrases to accept or decline.
Quer laminado? — Do you want lamination?
Não, só a impressão, por favor — No, just the print, please
Vocês consertam cor ou brilho? — Do you adjust color or brightness?
Por favor, faça a correção automática — Please do automatic correction
Polite phrases and customer service language
Politeness goes a long way. Use simple greetings and thanks to be friendly and clear.
Bom dia — Good morning
Boa tarde — Good afternoon
Por favor — Please
Obrigado (male speaker) or Obrigada (female speaker) — Thank you
Desculpe, posso perguntar uma coisa? — Excuse me, may I ask something?
Short beginner-friendly dialogues
Dialogue 1 — At a small photo shop
Cliente: Bom dia. Eu quero imprimir estas fotos.
Atendente: Quantas cópias e qual tamanho?
Cliente: Quatro cópias 10×15, por favor.
Atendente: Em papel brilhante ou fosco?
Cliente: Brilhante. Quanto fica?
Atendente: São R$ 8 no total. Pronto em 10 minutos.
Dialogue 2 — Using a kiosk or self-service
Cliente: Como escolho o tamanho?
Máquina: Toque em Tamanhos e selecione 13×18.
Cliente: Posso ajustar a foto?
Máquina: Sim, use Corte para ajustar.
Questions to ask if something goes wrong
Sometimes prints come out too dark, cropped, or the wrong size. Use these phrases to explain the issue clearly.
Esta impressão saiu muito escura — This print came out very dark
A cor não está correta — The color is not correct
Está cortando a pessoa — It’s cutting off the person
Posso refazer, por favor? — Can I redo it, please?
Vocês podem ajustar a cor/contraste? — Can you adjust color/contrast?
Talking about price and payment
Ask directly about costs and accepted payments to avoid surprises.
Quanto custa cada foto? — How much is each photo?
Tem desconto para várias cópias? — Is there a discount for multiple copies?
Posso pagar com cartão? — Can I pay by card?
Aceita cartão de débito e crédito — We accept debit and credit cards
Pronunciation tips for beginners
Focus on clear, slow speech. Brazilian Portuguese pronunciation is generally phonetic. Helpful notes:
Pronounce r at the start of a word like an English h in many regions, so retrato sounds like h-retrato in Rio-style speech; but many regions use a soft r similar to English r. Either is fine for beginners.
Vowels are short and clear. Say each vowel in foto and imprimir distinctly.
Practice polite phrases: por favor, obrigado/obrigada, and com licença so interactions feel natural.
Common beginner mistakes and how to avoid them
Mistake: Not specifying the size or paper type. Always state size and paper to prevent surprises: Quero 5 impressões 10×15 em papel brilhante.
Mistake: Assuming staff know where your images are. Say exactly how you will deliver files: Vou passar pelo pendrive or Vou enviar por WhatsApp.
Mistake: Forgetting to check proofs. Ask for a quick preview before all copies are printed: Posso ver uma prova?
Mistake: Using the wrong gender for obrigado/obrigada. Match your own gender: male speakers say obrigado, female speakers say obrigada.
Practical example scenarios
Scenario 1 — Tourist printing photos after a day out
Eu quero imprimir estas fotos. São oito no total. Quero 4 10×15 em papel brilhante e 4 13×18 em papel fosco. Posso pagar com cartão? Pronto em 20 minutos?
Scenario 2 — Student needing photos for a document
Preciso de duas fotos 3×4 para um documento. Tem fundo branco? Quanto custa por foto? Preciso hoje.
Scenario 3 — Family prints for a gift
Quero imprimir 12 fotos 15×21 para um álbum. Tem desconto para quantidade? Vocês podem embalar para presente?
Helpful final tips
Always confirm size, paper type, quantity, price, and pickup time before the shop starts printing. Use simple phrases and repeat numbers slowly. If unsure, ask the attendant to show a sample: Posso ver um exemplo?
Keep a list of the key Portuguese phrases on your phone to copy and paste or show in text. Most staff will appreciate when you try to speak Portuguese and will help with friendly corrections.
Conclusion
Knowing a handful of Brazilian Portuguese phrases makes printing photos easy and stress-free. Learn basic vocabulary like foto, impressão, and tamanho, and memorize polite questions such as Quanto custa? and Quanto tempo demora?. Use the sample dialogues and practical scenarios in this guide the next time you need prints, and you will feel more confident communicating at a photo shop in Brazil.
