Chapter 12 — Language Barrier · Rio de Janeiro Guide
Language Barrier in Rio: Essential Portuguese Phrases
English is spoken in most hotels and higher-end restaurants, but not much beyond that. A handful of Portuguese phrases and a translation app cover the rest.
Download an offline translation app before you land. Even basic effort with Portuguese greetings goes a long way with locals — Cariocas are generally warm to visitors who make the attempt.
💡 Guide Tip
Download an offline translation app before you land. Even basic effort with Portuguese greetings goes a long way with locals — Cariocas are generally warm to visitors who make the attempt.
In the full guide, this chapter also covers:
- The full table of 7 essential Portuguese phrases every visitor should know
- Recommendations for going beyond a phrasebook, if you want real conversational Portuguese before you land
The full guide includes the complete phrase table plus two recommended resources (a full course and a vocabulary reference) for going further than a phrasebook.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to speak Portuguese to visit Rio?
No, but a handful of phrases and a translation app go a long way outside hotels and upscale restaurants.