Portuguese is a language spoken by more than 260 million throughout the world. Most of the speakers are located in Brazil, Portugal, Angola, and Mozambique, although there are a few other places where it is spoken as either an official or secondary language.
In this post, I will introduce you to 15 beautiful Portuguese words, phrases, and sayings. They can be used in normal, day-to-day conversation, and highlight the beauty of the language.
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Should I learn Portuguese or Spanish?
The choice, of course, is entirely yours. Spanish is another beautiful language spoken by a great portion of Central and South America as well as within the United States. What makes Spanish also interesting is the fact that there are many regional varieties. So a certain word in one country may mean something else in another.
Personally, I recommend you learn Portuguese first. The reason is I consider Portuguese a more difficult language than Spanish, and if you could master it, you’ll have an easier time with the latter, but that’s just my own opinion.
Can you learn both at the same time? That certainly possible. Countless others have done it. I’ve met a few people who learned both simultaneously with no problems. And you can do the same.
Here are 15 Beautiful Portuguese Phrases, Words, and Sayings:
Beautiful Portuguese words:
Amor – Love
Love is a universal feeling and in any language it’s beautiful, but in Portuguese is especially beautiful because that four letters, it’s spelled simply, and depending on which region of Brazil you are in, the other speaker’s ‘r’ maybe trilled, adding flare and uniqueness to Brazil’s unique variety of Portuguese.
Abacaxi – Pineapple
“Abacaxi” is a beautiful-looking and -sounding word in Portuguese that is pronounced “ah-bah-kah-shee,” with the “x” sounding like “sh.” It has its origin in the Tupi-Guarani language, specifically from the Tupi word “îbá-cassí,” which means “fruit that grinds or shreds.” This term was adopted into Portuguese during the colonial period in Brazil when Portuguese explorers encountered the fruit. A fun want to know not only because of how it sounds but also it’s usefulness for those who enjoy fruits.
Coração – Heart
In Portuguese, the combination “ão” is a nasal diphthong. It is pronounced with a nasalized vowel sound, which can be somewhat challenging for English speakers. The closest approximation in English might be the nasalized “ow” sound in “clown,” but with more emphasis on the nasal quality. An example of “ão” in Portuguese is in the word “não” (meaning “no”). “Coração” is a common word in music and among lovers and esp. useful for the romantic-minded.
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Orvalho – Dew
In Portuguese, the digraph “lh” is pronounced similarly to the “lli” sound in the English word “million.” It represents a palatalized “l” sound, where the tongue is placed against the roof of the mouth near the hard palate. This produces a soft “ly” sound. For example, in the word “filho” (meaning “son”), “lh” is pronounced like the “lli” in “million.”
Nuvem – Cloud
In Portuguese, the word “nuvem” for cloud is particularly beautiful because of its nasalized pronunciation, represented by the “em” ending. This nasalization adds a soft and melodic quality to the word, echoing the gentle movement and shape of clouds drifting across the sky.
Beautiful Portuguese Phrases
A ausência aumenta o carinho. – Absence makes the heart grow fonder.
The expression “A ausência aumenta o carinho” translates to “Absence makes the heart grow fonder” in English. This poetic phrase conveys the idea that being apart from someone can intensify feelings of affection and longing. In the context of Owen Buck’s song “Crying Time,” this sentiment resonates deeply as a theme of yearning and emotional longing.
Eu sinto saudade de você. – I miss you.
What makes this expression especially beautiful is the inclusion of the word ‘Saudade,’ which is difficult to translate into English. The closest meaning would be longing. When you say this sentence, you really mean it, and are telling the other person that you miss him or her.
Eu te amo. – I love you.
In Portugal, one would say, “Eu amo-te” (informal) or “Eu amo-o” (formal, to a male), or “Eu amo-a (formal, to a female).
Muito prazer em conhecê-lo. – Nice to meet you.
If speaking to a male, you would change the ‘o’ in ‘lo’ to ‘a’ and it becomes ‘la’.
Você vive em meu coração. – You live in my heart.
In Portugal, one would say, ‘Você vive no meu coração’.
A beleza está nos olhos de quem vê. – Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
A universal expression, and one that sounds especially beautiful in Portuguese.
Beautiful Portuguese sayings:
Bom Dia. – Good day.
“Bom dia” is a common expression in both Brazil and Portugal. In Brazil, it is pronounced differently [“bohm DEE-uh,” with emphasis on the first syllable of “dia.”] but sounds beautiful in either country
Descascar o abacaxi. – To peel the pineapple.
Ever faced a problem so tough it felt like peeling a pineapple? That’s exactly what this saying captures—the challenge and effort required to tackle something tricky or complex.
Quem não arrisca, não petisca. – Who doesn’t risk, doesn’t get a bite.
This phrase is a reminder that sometimes you have to take a chance to reap the rewards—just like trying to grab the last slice of pizza at a party.
Água mole em pedra dura, tanto bate até que fura. – Soft water on hard stone, hits until it drills through.
This famous proverb in Portuguese illustrates the idea that persistence and perseverance can overcome difficult obstacles over time, similar to the English saying “Persistence breaks resistance.”
Onde há vontade, há um caminho. – Where there is a will, there is a way.
This phrase is a motivational nudge to remind you that determination and a bit of stubbornness can pave the way through even the toughest challenges—like finding your keys after a frantic search.
