Learning Brazilian Portuguese can be both exciting and challenging, but focusing on the 1000 most common Brazilian Portuguese words can make the process much more manageable. Research has shown that approximately 80% of everyday language use is made up of just 2,000 common words. This means that by learning these frequently used words, you can quickly achieve a solid understanding and ability to communicate effectively in Brazilian Portuguese.
In this blog post, we will cover the first 100 essential beginner words that are crucial for building a foundation in the language. These include basic pronouns, articles, common greetings, essential verbs, and more. Following that, we will introduce the rest of the 1,000 most common words from our comprehensive keywords list, which covers the core vocabulary needed for fluency.
Our approach combines these foundational words with the high-frequency keywords to give you a practical and efficient pathway to learning Brazilian Portuguese. For those who want to take their learning even further, we are offering a free PDF download of the full list of 2,000 keywords, ensuring you have all the tools you need to succeed.
Let’s get started on this language learning journey, beginning with the essential words that will set you up for success in Brazilian Portuguese!
The 1000 Most Common Brazilian Portuguese Words: Beginner Words
Basic Pronouns and Articles (13 Words)
Mastering basic pronouns and articles is a crucial step in learning Brazilian Portuguese. These foundational words will help you form simple sentences and begin to communicate effectively. Here are the essential pronouns and articles you need to know to get started learning the 1000 most common Brazilian Portuguese words.
Pronouns
- Eu (I)
- Você (You – informal)
- Ele (He)
- Ela (She)
- Nós (We)
- Eles (They – masculine or mixed group)
- Elas (They – feminine)
Articles
- O (The – masculine singular)
- A (The – feminine singular)
- Um (A/An – masculine singular)
- Uma (A/An – feminine singular)
- Os (The – masculine plural)
- As (The – feminine plural)
These words are used frequently in everyday conversations and are essential for building your language skills. Here are some example sentences to help you see how these pronouns and articles are used in context:
Example Sentences
- Eu sou estudante. (I am a student.)
- Você está bem? (Are you okay?)
- Ele gosta de futebol. (He likes soccer.)
- Ela é minha amiga. (She is my friend.)
- Nós vamos ao mercado. (We are going to the market.)
- Eles estão trabalhando. (They are working.)
- Elas são professoras. (They are teachers – feminine.)
- O carro é novo. (The car is new.)
- A casa é grande. (The house is big.)
- Um livro interessante. (An interesting book.)
- Uma menina inteligente. (An intelligent girl.)
- Os meninos estão na escola. (The boys are at school.)
- As flores são bonitas. (The flowers are beautiful.)
By practicing these pronouns and articles, you’ll start to form simple yet meaningful sentences, giving you a solid foundation to build upon as you continue your journey to learn the 1000 most common Brazilian Portuguese words.
Common Greetings and Polite Expressions (12 Words of the 1000 Most Common Brazilian Portuguese Words)
Learning common greetings and polite expressions is essential for making a good impression and interacting smoothly in Brazilian Portuguese. These phrases are used daily and will help you navigate social situations with ease. Here are some key greetings and polite expressions to get you started:
Greetings
- Olá (Hello)
- Bom dia (Good morning)
- Boa tarde (Good afternoon)
- Boa noite (Good night)
- Oi (Hi)
Polite Expressions
- Por favor (Please)
- Obrigado / Obrigada (Thank you – masculine/feminine)
- Desculpe (Sorry)
- Com licença (Excuse me)
- De nada (You’re welcome)
- Tudo bem? (How are you? / Everything good?)
These expressions are vital for everyday conversations and for showing politeness and respect in various situations. Here are some example sentences using these greetings and polite expressions:
Example Sentences
- Olá, tudo bem? (Hello, how are you?)
- Bom dia, senhor! (Good morning, sir!)
- Boa tarde, Maria. (Good afternoon, Maria.)
- Boa noite, até amanhã. (Good night, see you tomorrow.)
- Oi, meu nome é Paulo. (Hi, my name is Paulo.)
- Por favor, pode me ajudar? (Please, can you help me?)
- Obrigado pela ajuda. (Thank you for the help. – masculine)
- Obrigada pela informação. (Thank you for the information. – feminine)
- Desculpe, foi um engano. (Sorry, it was a mistake.)
- Com licença, posso passar? (Excuse me, can I pass?)
- De nada, não foi nada. (You’re welcome, it was nothing.)
- Tudo bem? Como você está? (How are you? How are you doing?)
By mastering these common greetings and polite expressions, you’ll be well-prepared to engage in basic conversations and create positive interactions in Brazilian Portuguese. These phrases will help you connect with others and navigate social situations confidently. Let’s continue with more of the 1000 most common Brazilian Portuguese words.
Essential Verbs (10 Words of the 1000 Most Common Brazilian Portuguese Words)
Verbs are the backbone of any language, and Brazilian Portuguese is no exception. Learning the most essential verbs will enable you to express actions, states, and occurrences, which are crucial for effective communication. Here are some key verbs you need to know:
List of Key Verbs
- Ser (To be – permanent)
- Estar (To be – temporary)
- Ter (To have)
- Ir (To go)
- Fazer (To do/make)
- Poder (Can)
- Dizer (To say)
- Ver (To see)
- Dar (To give)
- Saber (To know – knowledge)
These verbs are fundamental and are used in a wide variety of contexts. Understanding and practicing these verbs will significantly improve your ability to form sentences and communicate effectively. Here are some example sentences to illustrate their usage:
Example Sentences
- Eu sou estudante. (I am a student.)
- Ele está cansado. (He is tired.)
- Nós temos um carro. (We have a car.)
- Eles vão ao cinema. (They are going to the cinema.)
- Ela faz um bolo. (She makes a cake.)
- Você pode me ajudar? (Can you help me?)
- Ele diz a verdade. (He tells the truth.)
- Eu vejo um pássaro. (I see a bird.)
- Nós damos presentes. (We give presents.)
- Eles sabem a resposta. (They know the answer.)
By learning these essential verbs and practicing their conjugations in different contexts, you will be able to construct more complex sentences and convey a wide range of meanings. These verbs form the foundation of many everyday conversations and are crucial for advancing your proficiency in Brazilian Portuguese.
Question Words (6 Words of the 1000 Most Common Brazilian Portuguese Words)
Question words are essential for forming questions and engaging in meaningful conversations. They help you gather information, clarify doubts, and participate in discussions. Here are the most important question words in Brazilian Portuguese:
List of Question Words
- Quem (Who)
- O que (What)
- Onde (Where)
- Quando (When)
- Por que (Why)
- Como (How)
Understanding and using these question words will enable you to ask various types of questions, enhancing your ability to communicate effectively. Here are some example questions using these words:
Example Questions
- Quem é você? (Who are you?)
- O que você está fazendo? (What are you doing?)
- Onde você mora? (Where do you live?)
- Quando é o seu aniversário? (When is your birthday?)
- Por que você está triste? (Why are you sad?)
- Como você está? (How are you?)
These question words are integral to daily communication and are used frequently in conversations. By mastering these words and practicing how to use them in questions, you’ll be able to interact more effectively and gather the information you need in various situations.
Basic Nouns (15 Words) – 1000 Most Common Brazilian Portuguese Words
Nouns are the building blocks of any language, representing people, places, things, and ideas. Learning the most frequently used nouns in Brazilian Portuguese will greatly enhance your ability to describe the world around you and engage in everyday conversations. Here are some of the most common nouns you should know:
List of Frequently Used Nouns
- Comida (Food)
- Água (Water)
- Casa (House)
- Trabalho (Work)
- Escola (School)
- Dinheiro (Money)
- Carro (Car)
- Amigo/Amiga (Friend – masculine/feminine)
- Cidade (City)
- Família (Family)
- Livro (Book)
- Cão/Cachorro (Dog)
- Gato (Cat)
- Dia (Day)
- Noite (Night)
These nouns are commonly used in daily interactions and will help you express basic concepts and ideas. Here are some example sentences to demonstrate their use:
Example Sentences
- Eu gosto de comida brasileira. (I like Brazilian food.)
- Por favor, me dê um copo de água. (Please give me a glass of water.)
- Minha casa é grande. (My house is big.)
- Eu tenho muito trabalho hoje. (I have a lot of work today.)
- A escola é perto da minha casa. (The school is near my house.)
- Eu preciso de dinheiro para comprar isso. (I need money to buy this.)
- O carro é novo. (The car is new.)
- Ele é meu amigo. (He is my friend.)
- A cidade é bonita. (The city is beautiful.)
- Minha família é muito grande. (My family is very large.)
- Estou lendo um livro interessante. (I am reading an interesting book.)
- O cão está no jardim. (The dog is in the garden.)
- O gato está dormindo. (The cat is sleeping.)
- Hoje é um dia bonito. (Today is a beautiful day.)
- Boa noite, durma bem. (Good night, sleep well.)
By learning these basic nouns and practicing their usage in sentences, you will expand your vocabulary and improve your ability to describe and discuss everyday situations in Brazilian Portuguese.
Common Adjectives (10 Words out of the 1000 Most Common Brazilian Portuguese Words)
Adjectives are words that describe or modify nouns, adding more detail to your sentences. Learning the most common adjectives in Brazilian Portuguese will help you express qualities, states, and characteristics more precisely. Here are some of the most frequently used adjectives:
List of Common Adjectives
- Bom/Boa (Good – masculine/feminine)
- Ruim (Bad)
- Grande (Big)
- Pequeno/Pequena (Small – masculine/feminine)
- Novo/Nova (New – masculine/feminine)
- Velho/Velha (Old – masculine/feminine)
- Bonito/Bonita (Beautiful/Pretty – masculine/feminine)
- Feio/Feia (Ugly – masculine/feminine)
- Feliz (Happy)
- Triste (Sad)
These adjectives are commonly used in daily conversations and will help you provide more specific information about the nouns you discuss. Here are some example sentences to illustrate their usage:
Example Sentences
- Este livro é bom. (This book is good.)
- O filme foi ruim. (The movie was bad.)
- A casa é grande. (The house is big.)
- Ele tem um carro pequeno. (He has a small car.)
- Ela comprou um vestido novo. (She bought a new dress.)
- Meu avô é velho. (My grandfather is old.)
- A cidade é bonita. (The city is beautiful.)
- O quadro é feio. (The painting is ugly.)
- Estou me sentindo feliz hoje. (I am feeling happy today.)
- Ele está muito triste. (He is very sad.)
By learning these common adjectives and practicing their use in sentences, you will be able to describe people, places, and things more vividly and accurately. This will enhance your ability to communicate effectively in Brazilian Portuguese and make your conversations more engaging.
Numbers 1-10 (10 Words)
Numbers are fundamental in any language, and knowing how to count is essential for daily activities like shopping, telling time, and discussing quantities. Here are the numbers from 1 to 10 in Brazilian Portuguese:
List of Numbers 1-10
- Um (One)
- Dois (Two)
- Três (Three)
- Quatro (Four)
- Cinco (Five)
- Seis (Six)
- Sete (Seven)
- Oito (Eight)
- Nove (Nine)
- Dez (Ten)
Understanding these numbers will help you in various practical situations. Here are some example sentences to show how these numbers are used:
Example Sentences
- Eu tenho um irmão. (I have one brother.)
- Nós precisamos de dois ingressos. (We need two tickets.)
- Ela tem três gatos. (She has three cats.)
- Vou comprar quatro maçãs. (I will buy four apples.)
- Eles têm cinco filhos. (They have five children.)
- A loja abre às seis horas. (The store opens at six o’clock.)
- Eu trabalho sete dias por semana. (I work seven days a week.)
- Oito pessoas vieram à festa. (Eight people came to the party.)
- Temos nove minutos para o filme começar. (We have nine minutes until the movie starts.)
- Eu vou dormir às dez. (I go to sleep at ten.)
By learning these numbers and practicing their use in sentences, you will be able to handle numerical information in conversations, making it easier to manage everyday tasks and interactions in Brazilian Portuguese.
Days of the Week (7 Words of the 1000 Most Common Brazilian Portuguese Words)
Knowing the days of the week is essential for planning and scheduling activities. Here are the days of the week in Brazilian Portuguese:
List of Days of the Week
- Segunda-feira (Monday)
- Terça-feira (Tuesday)
- Quarta-feira (Wednesday)
- Quinta-feira (Thursday)
- Sexta-feira (Friday)
- Sábado (Saturday)
- Domingo (Sunday)
Understanding these days will help you organize your time and participate in conversations about schedules and plans. Here are some example sentences to illustrate their use:
Example Sentences
- Eu trabalho na segunda-feira. (I work on Monday.)
- Temos uma reunião na terça-feira. (We have a meeting on Tuesday.)
- A aula de português é na quarta-feira. (The Portuguese class is on Wednesday.)
- Vamos ao cinema na quinta-feira. (We are going to the movies on Thursday.)
- Sexta-feira é o último dia da semana de trabalho. (Friday is the last day of the workweek.)
- Sábado é dia de descanso. (Saturday is a day of rest.)
- Vamos à igreja no domingo. (We go to church on Sunday.)
By learning the days of the week and practicing their use in sentences, you will be able to discuss schedules, make plans, and manage your time more effectively in Brazilian Portuguese. This will make your conversations more practical and relevant to everyday life.
Common Phrases (10 Words)
Practical phrases are essential for navigating everyday conversations and interactions. Learning these common phrases will help you communicate effectively in a variety of situations. Here are some practical phrases you should know:
List of Practical Phrases
- Tudo bem? (How are you? / Everything good?)
- Até logo (See you later)
- Como você está? (How are you?)
- Qual é o seu nome? (What is your name?)
- Onde fica o banheiro? (Where is the bathroom?)
- Quanto custa? (How much does it cost?)
- Eu não entendo (I don’t understand)
- Você fala inglês? (Do you speak English?)
- Pode me ajudar? (Can you help me?)
- Eu gostaria de… (I would like…)
These phrases are commonly used in daily interactions and will help you handle basic conversations and requests. Here are some example sentences to demonstrate their use:
Example Sentences
- Tudo bem? Eu estou bem, e você? (How are you? I’m fine, and you?)
- Até logo, Maria! (See you later, Maria!)
- Como você está? Eu estou cansado. (How are you? I am tired.)
- Qual é o seu nome? Meu nome é João. (What is your name? My name is João.)
- Onde fica o banheiro? O banheiro fica ali. (Where is the bathroom? The bathroom is over there.)
- Quanto custa? Este livro custa vinte reais. (How much does it cost? This book costs twenty reais.)
- Eu não entendo o que você disse. (I don’t understand what you said.)
- Você fala inglês? Sim, eu falo um pouco. (Do you speak English? Yes, I speak a little.)
- Pode me ajudar? Claro, em que posso ajudar? (Can you help me? Sure, how can I help?)
- Eu gostaria de um café, por favor. (I would like a coffee, please.)
By learning these common phrases and practicing their use in sentences, you will be able to engage in basic conversations, make requests, and navigate various social situations in Brazilian Portuguese. These phrases are practical and will greatly enhance your ability to communicate effectively.
Basic Prepositions (5 Words)
Prepositions are essential for constructing meaningful sentences as they show the relationships between different elements. Learning the most commonly used prepositions in Brazilian Portuguese will help you better understand and create sentences. Here are the essential prepositions you need to know:
List of Essential Prepositions
- Em (In/On/At)
- De (Of/From)
- Com (With)
- Para (For/To)
- Por (By/Through)
These prepositions are used frequently in daily conversations and are vital for sentence construction. Here are some example sentences to demonstrate their usage:
Example Sentences
- Eu moro em São Paulo. (I live in São Paulo.)
- Ele é de Portugal. (He is from Portugal.)
- Eu vou com meus amigos. (I am going with my friends.)
- Este presente é para você. (This gift is for you.)
- Ela veio por aqui. (She came through here.)
By learning these basic prepositions and practicing their use in sentences, you will be able to form more complex and accurate sentences in Brazilian Portuguese. Understanding these relationships will enhance your ability to communicate effectively and understand the language better. You are well on your way to learning the 1000 Most Common Brazilian Portuguese words!
Graduating from Beginner Words to Keywords – 1000 Most Common Brazilian Portuguese Words
Transitioning from beginner words to the most frequently used keywords in Brazilian Portuguese is a crucial step in your language learning journey. Surprise, we aren’t going to teach you 1,000 words, we are going to teach you 2,000!
Research has shown that learning the 2,000 most commonly used words in a language can provide you with the ability to understand approximately 80% of everyday conversations, written texts, and media. This high-frequency vocabulary is essential for achieving fluency and communicating effectively.
Importance of High-Frequency Words
- Maximized Efficiency: Focusing on these high-frequency words allows you to achieve a greater understanding and fluency with less effort, making your learning process more efficient.
- Comprehensive Understanding: These words cover a wide range of contexts and topics, ensuring you can engage in various conversations and comprehend different types of content.
- Building on Basics: Once you have mastered the essential beginner words, incorporating these commonly used keywords will significantly enhance your language skills and confidence.
To support your learning, we will be linking to detailed posts for each of the 2,000 keywords. Each post will include:
- Meaning: A clear definition of the word.
- Sentence Examples: Practical examples to show how the word is used in context.
- Historical Context: Background information to provide a deeper understanding of the word’s origins and usage.
- Additional Insights: Other relevant details to enrich your knowledge.
Each Word Page includes links to the next 5 words in the series so you can continue your language practice.
For those who prefer a more comprehensive resource, we offer a free PDF download of the full list of 2,000 keywords. To receive this valuable tool, simply enter your email address, and you’ll have access to an extensive guide that will help you continue expanding your vocabulary and improving your proficiency in Brazilian Portuguese.
By focusing on these high-frequency words and utilizing our resources, you’ll be well on your way to mastering Brazilian Portuguese and achieving fluency.
List of Brazilian Portuguese Keywords
Ser
Ter
Estar
Poder
Fazer
Ir
Haver
Dizer
Dar
Ver
Saber
Querer
Ficar
Dever
Passar
Vir
Chegar
Falar
Deixar
Encontrar
Levar
Começar
Partir
Pensar
Parecer
Apresentar
Olhar
Tornar
Sair
Voltar
Conseguir
Achar
Existir
Sentir
Entrar
Chamar
Conhecer
Considerar
Pôr
Continuar
Viver
Ouvir
Tomar
Acabar
Receber
Perder
Andar
Trabalhar
Criar
Pedir
Seguir
Contar
Acontecer
Afirmar
Tratar
Esperar
Gostar
Usar
Manter
Realizar
Abrir
Escrever
Permitir
Ocorrer
Mostrar
Lembrar
Trazer
Procurar
Morrer
Tentar
Formar
Aparecer
Incluir
Cair
Correr
Ganhar
Surgir
Nascer
Pagar
Representar
Entender
Produzir
Ler
Precisar
Perguntar
Constituir
Colocar
Possuir
Servir
Tirar
Responder
Obter
Desenvolver
Explicar
Descobrir
Acreditar
Levantar
Mandar
Estudar
Atingir
Sofrer
Parar
Bater
Decidir
Referir
Fechar
Aumentar
Acompanhar
Defender
Lançar
Mudar
Resolver
Participar
Subir
Utilizar
Provocar
Compreender
Estabelecer
Pretender
Iniciar
Perceber
Garantir
Comer
Vender
Observar
Comprar
Aceitar
Resultar
Reconhecer
Sentar
Marcar
Construir
Crescer
Publicar
Ajudar
Assumir
Revelar
Prever
Ocupar
Oferecer
Dirigir
Esquecer
Tocar
Envolver
Matar
Fugir
Indicar
Valer
Terminar
Jogar
Conter
Definir
Rir
Escolher
Destacar
Reunir
Descer
Dormir
Causar
Evitar
Determinar
Anunciar
Exigir
Transformar
Vencer
Faltar
Entregar
Casar
Pegar
Eleger
Julgar
Permanecer
Apontar
Virar
Concluir
Significar
Depender
Repetir
Abandonar
Obrigar
Preparar
Aplicar
Reduzir
Pertencer
Funcionar
Retirar
Meter
Verificar
Estender
Acrescentar
Desejar
Dividir
Buscar
Cumprir
Aproximar
Sorrir
Imaginar
Discutir
Apoiar
Gerar
Cantar
Afastar
Admitir
Fixar
Dispor
Chorar
Erguer
Preferir
Aproveitar
Gritar
Promover
Integrar
Atravessar
Alcançar
Propor
Informar
Atribuir
Aprender
Deitar
Cortar
Enviar
Morar
Acusar
Impedir
Desaparecer
Avançar
Custar
Amar
Interessar
Exercer
Dedicar
Assistir
Cobrir
Compor
Conduzir
Consistir
Substituir
Descrever
Analisar
Confirmar
Completar
Regressar
Bastar
Prometer