You’ve finally touched down in Lisbon. The air smells like salt and grilled sardines, the pavement is a mosaic of slippery white stones, and you’re standing in front of a bakery counter trying to remember how to say hi in Portugal without sounding like you just stepped off a cruise ship with a fanny pack.
Most people think "Ola" is the universal fix. It’s not. Well, it’s fine, but it’s also a bit lazy.
The Portuguese language is a strange, beautiful beast. It’s nasal. It’s rhythmic. It’s surprisingly formal compared to Spanish. If you walk into a tasca (a local tavern) and shout "Hola!"—congratulations, you’ve just greeted everyone in Spanish. In a country that is fiercely proud of its independence from its neighbor, that’s a rookie mistake. Portuguese people are incredibly warm, but they appreciate it when you actually try to get the local flavor right.
The Absolute Basics: More Than Just a Greeting
The word Olá is your bread and butter. It’s easy. It’s short. It’s functional. But if you want to sound like you actually live in the Chiado district, you need to pay attention to the time of day.
Portuguese culture revolves around the clock. You’ll hear Bom dia (Good morning) until exactly 1:00 PM. Not 12:30. Not 12:59. Once that clock strikes one, you switch to Boa tarde (Good afternoon). This lasts until the sun goes down, or roughly 7:00 PM or 8:00 PM, at which point you pivot to Boa noite (Good evening/night).
It sounds simple, right? It is. But here’s the kicker: Europeans are polite. You don't just say "Olá." You say, "Olá, bom dia." You stack them.
The Pronunciation Trap
Let's talk about the "S." In Portugal, an "s" at the end of a word sounds like a "sh." So, if you’re saying "Good afternoon" to a group, it’s not Boas tardes with a hard 's'. It’s Bo-ash tard-esh. It sounds like the ocean. It’s soft. If you get that "sh" sound right, you’re already halfway to being mistaken for a local from Cascais.
Formal vs. Informal: Don't Offend the Avó
Portugal is a traditional society. You wouldn't walk up to a 70-year-old grandmother (an avó) and use the same slang you’d use with a 20-year-old surfer in Sagres.
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When you’re wondering how to say hi in Portugal to someone older or in a position of authority—like a doctor, a shop owner, or your Airbnb host’s parents—stick to the basics. Stick to Bom dia. If you want to ask "How are you?" use Como está? (How are you, formally).
If you’re with friends, you can drop the formalities. Tudo bem? is the ultimate Portuguese Swiss Army Knife. It literally means "Everything well?" and people use it as both a question and an answer.
- Person A: "Olá, tudo bem?"
- Person B: "Tudo bem, e tu?"
It’s efficient. It’s casual. It’s perfect for the beach.
The "Tudo" Variations
- Tudo bom? – Basically the same as tudo bem, just slightly different flavor.
- Como vais? – "How are you going?" Use this with people you actually know.
- Então? – This is the "What's up?" of Portugal. Use it with caution. It’s very informal. It’s what you say when you see your buddy across the street.
Physical Greetings: The Two-Kiss Rule
Knowing the words is only half the battle. How you move your body matters just as much as how to say hi in Portugal with your voice.
In Portugal, when two women meet, or a man and a woman meet, they do the double kiss. It’s not a real kiss on the lips; it’s a cheek-to-cheek "air kiss." You start with the right cheek. Left then right? No. Right then left. Always.
Men usually shake hands. If they are close friends or family, they might do a "bro hug" with a few vigorous pats on the back. It’s masculine, it’s sweaty, and it’s very Portuguese. If you’re a man meeting a man for the first time in a business setting, just stick to a firm handshake. Don't overcomplicate it.
Regional Quirks: Lisbon vs. Porto
If you head north to Porto, things get a bit grittier. The people in the North are known for being incredibly hospitable but also more direct—and maybe a bit more liberal with their language.
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In Porto, you might hear people use "Hi" or "Hello" in English more often because of the massive tourism boom, but they still love it when you use the local slang. However, the core rules of Bom dia and Boa tarde remain the law of the land.
The main difference isn't necessarily the "hi," it's the accent. Lisboetas (people from Lisbon) tend to swallow their vowels. They speak through clenched teeth sometimes. Up north, the vowels are wider and more open.
Why "Ciao" is a Trap
You’ll hear Portuguese people say Tchau when they leave. It sounds exactly like the Italian Ciao.
Wait.
Don't use it as a greeting. In Italy, Ciao means hello and goodbye. In Portugal, Tchau is strictly for leaving. If you walk into a bar and say "Tchau!" everyone will look at you like you just forgot your wallet and are rushing back to the car. Use Olá to arrive, Tchau to leave.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using "Hola": I mentioned it before, but it bears repeating. It’s the fastest way to annoy a local.
- Being Too Loud: Portugal is generally a quieter country than Spain or Italy. A loud "HEY!" across a quiet cafe is a no-go. Keep your greeting at a respectful volume.
- Forgetting the Titles: If you’re talking to someone very formal, using Senhor (Mr.) or Senhora (Ms.) before their name is a massive sign of respect. "Bom dia, Senhora Maria" goes a long way.
Beyond the "Hi": What Happens Next?
Once you’ve mastered how to say hi in Portugal, you’re going to need a follow-up.
If you’re in a restaurant, follow your Olá with Faz favor (Please/If you please). It’s the lubricant of Portuguese society. You want a coffee? "Um café, faz favor." You want the bill? "A conta, faz favor."
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And of course, Obrigado. If you identify as male, say Obrigado. If you identify as female, say Obrigada. It doesn't matter who you are talking to; the word matches you.
The "Alô" Mystery
If you’re calling someone on the phone, don’t use Olá.
Use Alô? It’s specifically for phone calls. Why? Who knows. It’s just one of those quirks. If you say "Olá" when you pick up the phone, there’s a micro-second of confusion on the other end. "Alô" signals that the connection is made and you’re ready to talk.
Real-World Scenarios
Imagine you're walking into a tiny mercearia (grocery store) in a village in the Alentejo. The sun is beating down. There’s an old man sitting on a plastic chair outside.
You don't just walk past. You say, "Boa tarde." He’ll likely nod and say it back. It’s a social contract. In small towns, you greet everyone you pass on the sidewalk. In Lisbon, you don't do that—you’d be talking all day—but in the villages, silence is seen as a bit cold.
In the Digital Age
If you’re texting a Portuguese friend or using a dating app in Porto, you’ll see Oi.
Oi is the Brazilian influence creeping into Portugal. Traditionally, it was considered a bit "low class" or overly Brazilian, but the younger generation has fully adopted it. It’s the ultimate short "Hi." It’s the "U up?" of Portuguese greetings. Use it with people your own age, but maybe avoid it when emailing a lawyer.
Actionable Next Steps for Your Trip
To truly blend in and move past the "tourist" label, start practicing these three specific habits:
- The Time-Check Rule: Before you enter any building, check your watch. If it's 12:55 PM, prepare your "Bom dia." If it's 1:05 PM, switch to "Boa tarde." Consistency here wins you immediate respect from service staff.
- The S-Softening: Practice saying "Boas" (a common short greeting among friends) but make the "s" sound like you’re telling someone to be quiet: Bo-ash.
- The Stacked Greeting: Never just say one word. Practice the "Olá, bom dia" or "Olá, tudo bem?" combo. It flows better and sounds more natural to the Portuguese ear.
The most important thing to remember is that the Portuguese people aren't looking for perfection. They’re looking for effort. Even a butchered "Bom dia" delivered with a smile and a bit of humility will get you a much better table at the restaurant than a loud, confident "Hello" ever will. Just remember: it's "sh," not "s," and it's never "Hola."