Coimbra

Common Phrases in Coimbra, Portugal

1. Greetings

• Olá (oh-LAH) - Hello
• Bom dia (bohm DEE-ah) - Good morning
• Boa tarde (BOH-ah TAR-deh) - Good afternoon
• Boa noite (BOH-ah NOY-teh) - Good evening / Good night
• Como está? (KOH-moo es-TAH?) - How are you?
• Estou bem, obrigado/a (es-TOH behm, oh-bree-GAH-doo/ah) - I am well, thank you (male/female)

2. Dining

• Uma mesa para [duas] pessoas, por favor (OO-mah MEH-zah PAH-rah [DOO-ahs] peh-SO-ahs, poor fah-VOR) - A table for [two] people, please
• O menu, por favor (oo MEH-noo, poor fah-VOR) - The menu, please
• A conta, por favor (ah KON-tah, poor fah-VOR) - The bill, please
• Está delicioso! (es-TAH deh-lee-SEE-oh-soh) - It is delicious!
• Sem glúten, por favor (sayn GLOO-ten, poor fah-VOR) - Gluten-free, please

3. Transportation

• Onde fica a estação de comboios? (ON-deh FEE-kah ah es-tah-SOWN deh kom-BOY-oosh?) - Where is the train station?
• Um bilhete para [Lisboa], por favor (oom bee-LYEH-teh PAH-rah [leez-BOH-ah], poor fah-VOR) - A ticket to [Lisbon], please
• Qual é o próximo autocarro? (kwahl eh oo PROH-see-moo ow-toh-KAR-roo?) - Which is the next bus?
• Preciso de um táxi (preh-SEE-zoo deh oom TAHK-see) - I need a taxi

4. Shopping

• Quanto custa? (KWAN-toh KOOS-tah?) - How much does it cost?
• Posso experimentar? (POS-soh es-per-i-men-TAR?) - Can I try it on?
• Tem em outra cor? (TAYM em OW-trah KOR?) - Do you have it in another color?
• Aceita cartão de crédito? (ah-SAY-tah kar-TAHN deh KRED-ee-toh?) - Do you accept credit cards?
• Estou só a ver (es-TOH soh ah VEHR) - I’m just looking

Cultural Nuances

• Politeness: Always use "por favor" (please) and "obrigado/a" (thank you) to show respect.
• Formality: Use "senhor" (sir) or "senhora" (madam) when addressing someone formally.
• Personal Space: Portuguese people may stand closer during conversations than in some cultures; be comfortable with this proximity.

Pronunciation Tips

• Vowels: Portuguese vowels can be nasalized; practice listening to native speakers for accuracy.
• Consonants: The "ç" is pronounced like "s," and "lh" is similar to the "lli" in "million."
• Stress: Stress typically falls on the penultimate syllable in words.

Regional Variations

• Coimbra has a distinct accent, often softer than in Lisbon or Porto. Listening to locals will help in understanding the nuances.

This guide provides essential phrases to navigate daily interactions in Coimbra effectively. Familiarity with these phrases will enhance your experience and help you connect with the local culture.