Portuguese for Work: Useful Phrases for Those Living or Moving to Brazil

walker8770
Aug 12
3 min read

If you’re planning to live in Brazil or have recently moved here for work, speaking Brazilian Portuguese is not just a nice skill to have – it’s essential. While English is growing in popularity, most workplaces, colleagues, and clients will expect communication in Portuguese.

Whether you’re negotiating with a supplier, meeting a client, or chatting with your co-workers during lunch, knowing the right Portuguese work phrases can help you connect, build trust, and succeed professionally.

In this guide, we’ll cover practical Portuguese phrases for work you can use every day – plus tips to help you sound more natural.

1. Greetings and Small Talk in the Office

In Brazil, relationships matter. A friendly “good morning” can go a long way toward creating a positive atmosphere.

Key Phrases:

Bom dia – Good morning
Boa tarde – Good afternoon
Como vai? – How are you?
Prazer em conhecê-lo / conhecê-la – Nice to meet you (male/female)
Tudo bem? – How’s everything?

💡 Tip: In many offices, people greet each other with a handshake or even a cheek kiss (one kiss in most regions).

2. Common Workplace Phrases

These will help you navigate meetings, share ideas, and understand tasks.

Key Phrases:

Você pode me ajudar com isso? – Can you help me with this?
Vamos marcar uma reunião. – Let’s schedule a meeting.
Preciso de mais informações. – I need more information.
Qual é o prazo? – What’s the deadline?
Está tudo pronto. – Everything is ready.

💡 Tip: Brazilians often use polite forms like por favor (please) and obrigado/obrigada (thank you), even in casual work conversations.

3. Phrases for Business Meetings

Meetings in Brazil can be formal or relaxed, depending on the industry, but politeness is always appreciated.

Key Phrases:

Vamos começar a reunião. – Let’s start the meeting.
Qual é a sua opinião sobre isso? – What’s your opinion on this?
Podemos chegar a um acordo. – We can reach an agreement.
Vamos revisar os próximos passos. – Let’s review the next steps.

💡 Tip: If you’re not fluent yet, it’s okay to ask for clarification:

Você pode repetir, por favor? – Could you repeat, please?

4. Email and Phone Communication

Business communication in Brazil often mixes formality with warmth.

Key Phrases for Emails:

Prezado(a) [nome], – Dear [name],
Agradeço o seu retorno. – Thank you for your reply.
Fico no aguardo. – I look forward to hearing from you.

Key Phrases for Calls:

Alô, aqui é [seu nome]. – Hello, this is [your name].
Posso falar com [nome]? – May I speak to [name]?

5. Socializing with Co-workers

Work in Brazil often involves social moments outside the office – lunch, coffee breaks, or happy hours.

Key Phrases:

Vamos almoçar juntos? – Shall we have lunch together?
Quer tomar um café? – Would you like to have coffee?
Até amanhã! – See you tomorrow!

💡 Tip: Building relationships with colleagues can be as important as your technical skills.

Why Learning Work-Related Portuguese Matters

Speaking Brazilian Portuguese for work will help you:

Build better professional relationships
Avoid misunderstandings in tasks and deadlines
Show respect for the local culture
Increase your career opportunities in Brazil

How to Learn Portuguese for Work Faster

One of the most effective ways to learn is with resources made specifically for Portuguese learners whose native language is German or English. That’s why the Brazilian Portuguese Book 1 is designed with clear explanations, bilingual format, and real-life examples to help you progress quickly.

📚 Start learning today: Click here and get your copy of Brazilian Portuguese Book 1!