How to Start Learning Portuguese from Scratch (Even If You Have No Time!)

Mari B
May 26
2 min read

Updated: May 27

Olá, friend! Are you dreaming of speaking Portuguese, but feel like you don’t have the time, the energy, or even the faintest idea of where to begin? Don’t worry — I’ve taught dozens of busy learners just like you, and today I’ll walk you through exactly how to get started with Portuguese, even if your schedule is packed.

1. Start Small — Really Small

You don’t need to study for hours to make progress. In fact, consistency beats intensity. Try this:

5 minutes a day of vocabulary flashcards (I recommend apps like Anki or Quizlet)
1 short Portuguese song per week (listen, read the lyrics, and sing along!)
1 basic phrase a day (like: Bom dia! — Good morning!)

2. Make It Part of Your Life

Learning a new language shouldn’t feel like an extra task — it should blend into your routine:

Change your phone language to Portuguese 📱
Follow Brazilian or Portuguese creators on social media
Listen to a Portuguese podcast while commuting or cooking

3. Focus on Communication, Not Perfection

Don't wait until you know every verb tense to start speaking. Use what you know — even if it’s just:

Olá, tudo bem? (Hello, how are you?)
Eu gosto de café. (I like coffee.)Practice makes progress — not perfection.

4. Use Your Time Wisely

If you really have just 10 minutes a day, here’s a weekly plan:

Mon: Learn 3–5 new words
Tue: Review and repeat those words aloud
Wed: Watch a short video in Portuguese (try cartoons or beginner YouTube content)
Thu: Practice writing 2–3 simple sentences
Fri: Listen to a Brazilian song and read the lyrics
Sat: Talk to yourself in Portuguese — yes, really!
Sun: Rest or review. No pressure!

5. Find a Community

You don’t have to do this alone! Join an online group, connect with a teacher (hi! 👋), or chat with other learners. Language is meant to be shared.

Final Tip from a Portuguese Teacher:Starting is the hardest part. But remember: one word today is better than none. Your journey won’t be perfect, but it will be worth it. And yes — you can learn Portuguese, even with a busy life!

Quer aprender comigo? Let’s start this beautiful journey together!