🚗 Driving in Brazil & Portugal

The highest-stakes category. You can't pull over every time you see a sign—learn these before you get behind the wheel.

Road Signs

PROIBIDO /pro-ee-BEE-doo/
Forbidden / Prohibited
Where Everywhere—parking, entry, turns, activities. Usually with a red circle or slash.
Example "PROIBIDO ESTACIONAR" = No parking, "PROIBIDO VIRAR" = No turn
Related
PROIBIDO ESTACIONAR PROIBIDO FUMAR ENTRADA PROIBIDA
PARE /PAH-ree/
Stop
Where Stop signs (red octagon, same as international standard)
Note Same word in both Brazil and Portugal
DEVAGAR /deh-vah-GAR/
Slow / Slowly
Where School zones, residential areas, construction zones
Related
REDUZA A VELOCIDADE DEVAGAR, ESCOLA
PEDESTRE /peh-DES-tree/
Also: PEDESTRE (BR) PEÃO (PT)
Pedestrian
Where Crosswalk signs, pedestrian crossing areas
Example "FAIXA DE PEDESTRES" (BR) / "PASSADEIRA" (PT) = Crosswalk
⚠️ Regional Difference
In Portugal, "PEÃO" is used for pedestrian. In Brazil, it's "PEDESTRE." Don't confuse with "peão" meaning pawn (chess) or farmhand.
CUIDADO /kwee-DAH-doo/
Caution / Warning
Where Warning signs, hazard areas, construction zones
Related
ATENÇÃO PERIGO
PERIGO /peh-REE-goo/
Danger
Where High-risk areas, electrical hazards, steep cliffs
Related
PERIGO DE MORTE ÁREA PERIGOSA
OBRAS /OH-brahs/
Roadwork / Construction
Where Construction zones, road repair areas
Related
EM OBRAS DESVIO
DESVIO /dez-VEE-oo/
Detour
Where Alternative route signs due to construction or road closures
CONTRAMÃO /kon-tra-MOWN/
Wrong Way / Against Traffic
Where One-way streets (from the wrong direction), exit ramps
Related
SENTIDO PROIBIDO MÃO ÚNICA
⚠️ Dangerous
If you see this, you're going the wrong way! Turn around immediately.
QUEBRA-MOLAS /KEH-bra MO-lahs/
Speed Bump
Where Residential areas, school zones, parking lots
Note Literally "spring breaker" — they take these seriously!
Related
LOMBADA REDUTOR DE VELOCIDADE

Directions & Routes

SAÍDA /sah-EE-dah/
Exit
Where Highway exits, building exits, parking garages
Related
SAÍDA DE EMERGÊNCIA PRÓXIMA SAÍDA
ENTRADA /en-TRAH-dah/
Entrance / Entry
Where Building entrances, highway on-ramps, parking entrances
CENTRO /SEN-troo/
Center / Downtown
Where Directional signs pointing to city center
Related
CENTRO DA CIDADE CENTRO HISTÓRICO
RODOVIA /ho-doh-VEE-ah/
Also: RODOVIA (BR) AUTOESTRADA (PT)
Highway / Motorway
Where Highway signs, toll roads
Note Brazil uses "RODOVIA" or "BR-XXX" numbers. Portugal uses "AUTOESTRADA" or "A-X" numbers.
RETORNO /heh-TOR-noo/
U-turn / Return
Where Highway medians, divided roads
Related
RETORNO PROIBIDO PRÓXIMO RETORNO
DIREITA / ESQUERDA /dee-RAY-tah / es-KAIR-dah/
Right / Left
Where Directional signs, turn instructions
Related
VIRE À DIREITA MANTENHA-SE À DIREITA

Parking

ESTACIONAMENTO /es-tah-see-oh-nah-MEN-too/
Parking
Where Parking lots, garages, street parking signs
Related
ESTACIONAMENTO PAGO ESTACIONAMENTO GRÁTIS PROIBIDO ESTACIONAR
ESTACIONAMENTO
Portugal says: PARQUE (PT) Also ESTACIONAMENTO
Parking Lot
Note In Portugal, "PARQUE" commonly means parking lot, while in Brazil it usually means park (garden).
⚠️ False Friend in Portugal
In Portugal, when you see "PARQUE," it often means parking, not a garden!
VAGA /VAH-gah/
Parking Space / Spot
Where Parking garages, lot signs
Related
VAGAS DISPONÍVEIS SEM VAGAS
PAGO /PAH-goo/
Paid
Where Paid parking zones, meters
Related
ESTACIONAMENTO PAGO ZONA AZUL
ZONA AZUL /ZOH-nah ah-ZOOL/
Blue Zone (Paid/Time-Limited Parking)
Where City centers, commercial areas
How it works In Brazil, buy tickets at newsstands or via app. In Portugal, use parking meters or apps.
⚠️ Don't Ignore This
Blue zones are strictly enforced. You will get ticketed or towed without a valid ticket displayed.
REBOQUE /heh-BOH-kee/
Tow / Towing
Where No-parking zones, fire lanes
Related
SUJEITO A REBOQUE GUINCHO

Gas Stations

POSTO DE GASOLINA
Also: POSTO (BR) BOMBA DE GASOLINA (PT)
Gas Station
Note In Brazil, commonly just "POSTO." Portugal uses "BOMBA" or "ESTAÇÃO DE SERVIÇO."
GASOLINA /gah-zoh-LEE-nah/
Gasoline / Petrol
Where Fuel pumps
Related
GASOLINA COMUM GASOLINA ADITIVADA
DIESEL / GASÓLEO /DEE-zel / gah-ZOH-lee-oh/
Diesel
Where Fuel pumps (usually black handle)
Note Brazil uses "DIESEL." Portugal often uses "GASÓLEO."
⚠️ Check Your Rental
Many rental cars use diesel! Check your contract. Using the wrong fuel will damage the engine.
ETANOL / ÁLCOOL /eh-tah-NOL/
Ethanol
Where Brazilian gas stations (green pump handle)
Note Very common in Brazil! Many cars are "flex" and can use either gasoline or ethanol.
⚠️ Brazil Only
Ethanol pumps are everywhere in Brazil but rare in Portugal. Check if your car accepts it.
CHEIO / COMPLETO /SHAY-oo / kom-PLEH-too/
Full (tank)
Usage "Cheio, por favor" = Fill it up, please

Toll Booths

PEDÁGIO /peh-DAH-zhee-oo/
Also: PEDÁGIO (BR) PORTAGEM (PT)
Toll
Where Highway toll plazas
⚠️ Portugal's Electronic Tolls
Many Portuguese highways have electronic-only tolls (no booths!). Rental cars need a Via Verde device or you must register your plate online within 5 days.
VIA VERDE /VEE-ah VAIR-dee/
Electronic Toll System (Portugal)
Where Portuguese highways
Note Electronic toll lanes marked with green "V" sign. Only use if you have a transponder!
CARTÃO /kar-TOWN/
Card (Credit/Debit)
Where Toll booths, payment machines
Related
CARTÃO DE CRÉDITO CARTÃO DE DÉBITO
DINHEIRO /dee-NYAY-roo/
Cash / Money
Where Toll booths, payment lanes
Related
MOEDAS TROCO

Rental Cars

ALUGUEL DE CARROS
Also: ALUGUEL (BR) ALUGUER (PT)
Car Rental
Where Airports, city rental offices
CÂMBIO AUTOMÁTICO / MANUAL /KAM-bee-oh/
Automatic / Manual Transmission
Note Most rental cars are manual! Automatics cost more and must be requested in advance.
SEGURO /seh-GOO-roo/
Insurance
Where Rental contracts, insurance documents
Related
SEGURO TOTAL FRANQUIA
FRANQUIA /fran-KEE-ah/
Deductible / Excess
Where Insurance terms in rental contracts
DANOS /DAH-nohs/
Damage
Where Vehicle inspection reports, rental contracts
Related
ARRANHÃO AMASSADO

📥 Take It With You

Download a printable cheat sheet to keep in your rental car

🇧🇷 Brazil Cheat Sheet 🇵🇹 Portugal Cheat Sheet