ENTRADA
/en-TRAH-dah/
Entrance
Doorways, buildings, venues
Directions
Essential directional terms you'll see on signs everywhere.
SAÍDA
/sah-EE-dah/
Exit
Exit signs everywhere
More info
Related: SAÍDA DE EMERGÊNCIA (emergency exit), SEM SAÍDA (no exit/dead end)
DIREITA
/jee-RAY-tah/
Right
Directional signs
More info
You'll see: À DIREITA (to the right), VIRE À DIREITA (turn right)
ESQUERDA
/esh-KEHR-dah/
Left
Directional signs
More info
You'll see: À ESQUERDA (to the left), VIRE À ESQUERDA (turn left)
FRENTE
/FREN-tee/
Front / Ahead
Keep going straight
More info
You'll see: EM FRENTE (ahead/in front), SIGA EM FRENTE (go straight)
ATRÁS
/ah-TRAHS/
Behind / Back
Behind this building, etc.
NORTE
/NOR-tee/
North
Cardinal directions
SUL
/sool/
South
Cardinal directions
LESTE
/LEHS-tee/
East
Cardinal directions
OESTE
/oh-EHS-tee/
West
Cardinal directions
CENTRO
/SEN-troo/
Center / Downtown
City center area
More info
Good to know: CENTRO often means downtown/city center. Most cities have a "centro histórico" (historic center).
PERTO
/PEHR-too/
Near / Close
Proximity indicator
LONGE
/LON-zhee/
Far
Distance indicator
AQUI
/ah-KEE/
Here
"You are here" on maps
More info
You'll see: VOCÊ ESTÁ AQUI (you are here)
Building Signs
Common signage in buildings, offices, and public spaces.
RECEPÇÃO
/heh-sep-SOWNG/
Reception / Front Desk
Building lobbies, hotels
INFORMAÇÕES
/een-for-mah-SOYNS/
Information
Information desks
ANDAR
/ahn-DAHR/
🇧🇷 ANDAR
🇵🇹 PISO
Floor / Level
Building floors
More info
Numbering differs: In Portugal, ground floor is often "R/C" (rés-do-chão) and first floor is "1º piso". Brazil typically uses TÉRREO for ground floor.
TÉRREO
/TEH-hee-oo/
🇧🇷 TÉRREO
🇵🇹 RÉS-DO-CHÃO (R/C)
Ground Floor
Building entry level
⚠️ Gotcha: "1º andar" in Portugal is what Americans call the 2nd floor (like UK). In Brazil, "1º andar" is usually the first floor above térreo.
SUBSOLO
/soob-SOH-loo/
Basement
Underground level
ESCRITÓRIO
/esh-kree-TOH-ryoo/
Office
Office building signs
SALA
/SAH-lah/
Room
Room numbers
More info
You'll see: SALA 201, SALA DE ESPERA (waiting room), SALA DE REUNIÃO (meeting room)
GUARDA-VOLUMES
/GWAHR-dah voh-LOO-meez/
Lockers / Baggage Storage
Museums, stations, malls
ACHADOS E PERDIDOS
/ah-SHAH-doos ee pehr-JEE-doos/
Lost and Found
Lost items office
PROIBIDO
/proh-ee-BEE-doo/
Prohibited / Forbidden
Warning signs
More info
Common signs: PROIBIDO FUMAR (no smoking), PROIBIDO FOTOGRAFAR (no photos), PROIBIDO ENTRAR (no entry)
PERMITIDO
/pehr-mee-TEE-doo/
Permitted / Allowed
Permission signs
PRIVADO
/pree-VAH-doo/
Private
Restricted areas
PÚBLICO
/POO-blee-koo/
Public
Public access areas
ACESSO
/ah-SEH-soo/
Access
Entry points
More info
You'll see: ACESSO RESTRITO (restricted access), ACESSO LIVRE (free access)
Bathrooms
Finding and using restrooms—crucial vocabulary!
🇧🇷 vs 🇵🇹 Key Difference
Brazil: BANHEIRO
Portugal: CASA DE BANHO or WC
In Portugal, "banheiro" means lifeguard at a beach!
BANHEIRO
/bahn-YAY-roo/
🇧🇷 BANHEIRO
🇵🇹 CASA DE BANHO
Bathroom / Restroom
Most common term for toilet facilities
⚠️ Gotcha: In Portugal, BANHEIRO means lifeguard! Use CASA DE BANHO or WC instead.
WC
/veh-SEH/ or /doo-bloo-seh/
Toilet / WC
Universal sign in both countries
More info
Good to know: WC is understood everywhere and often used on signs instead of longer terms.
SANITÁRIO
/sah-nee-TAH-ryoo/
Restroom (formal)
Public restroom signs
TOALETE
/toh-ah-LEH-tee/
Toilet (formal)
Fancier establishments
MASCULINO
/mahs-koo-LEE-noo/
Men's
Men's restroom
More info
Also marked as: HOMENS (men), H, or ♂ symbol
FEMININO
/feh-mee-NEE-noo/
Women's
Women's restroom
More info
Also marked as: MULHERES/SENHORAS (women/ladies), M, or ♀ symbol
UNISSEX
/oo-nee-SEKS/
Unisex / Gender-neutral
All-gender restrooms
ACESSÍVEL
/ah-seh-SEE-vehl/
Accessible
Wheelchair accessible
More info
Also marked: ♿ symbol, CADEIRANTE (wheelchair user), PNE (pessoa com necessidades especiais)
FRALDÁRIO
/frahl-DAH-ryoo/
Baby Changing Room
Diaper changing facilities
OCUPADO
/oh-koo-PAH-doo/
Occupied
Stall lock indicator
LIVRE
/LEE-vree/
Free / Available
Stall lock indicator
PUXE / EMPURRE
/POO-shee/ /em-POO-hee/
Pull / Push
Door instructions
NÃO JOGAR PAPEL
/nowng zhoh-GAHR pah-PEHL/
Don't Throw Paper (in toilet)
Common in Brazil
More info
Important: In many Brazilian bathrooms, you put toilet paper in the trash bin, not the toilet. Older plumbing can't handle paper. Look for this sign and a wastebasket.
Museums & Attractions
Navigate cultural sites and tourist attractions.
MUSEU
/moo-ZEH-oo/
Museum
Cultural institutions
EXPOSIÇÃO
/esh-poh-zee-SOWNG/
Exhibition
Museum displays
More info
Related: EXPOSIÇÃO TEMPORÁRIA (temporary exhibition), EXPOSIÇÃO PERMANENTE (permanent exhibition)
BILHETERIA
/bee-lyeh-teh-REE-ah/
Ticket Office / Box Office
Where to buy tickets
INGRESSO
/een-GREH-soo/
Ticket (admission)
Entry ticket
More info
Types: INTEIRA (full price), MEIA-ENTRADA (half-price for students/seniors)
MEIA-ENTRADA
/MAY-ah en-TRAH-dah/
Half-Price Ticket
Student/senior discount
More info
Brazil: Very common! Students, seniors (60+), teachers, and more qualify. Sometimes requires ID.
GRATUITO
/grah-TWEE-too/
Free (no charge)
Free admission signs
More info
Also: GRÁTIS (free), ENTRADA FRANCA (free entry)
HORÁRIO
/oh-RAH-ryoo/
Schedule / Hours
Operating hours
More info
You'll see: HORÁRIO DE FUNCIONAMENTO (operating hours), HORÁRIO DE VISITA (visiting hours)
FECHADO
/feh-SHAH-doo/
Closed
Closure signs
More info
Common: Museums often close on Mondays. Look for "FECHADO ÀS SEGUNDAS" (closed on Mondays).
ABERTO
/ah-BEHR-too/
Open
Open for business
VISITA GUIADA
/VEE-zee-tah gee-AH-dah/
Guided Tour
Tour information
ÁUDIO GUIA
/OW-dyoo GEE-ah/
Audio Guide
Self-guided audio tour
LOJA DO MUSEU
/LOH-zhah doo moo-ZEH-oo/
Museum Shop
Gift shop
NÃO TOCAR
/nowng toh-KAHR/
Do Not Touch
Museum warning
PROIBIDO FOTOGRAFAR
/proh-ee-BEE-doo foh-toh-grah-FAHR/
No Photography
Photo restriction
More info
Also: SEM FLASH (no flash), FOTOS PERMITIDAS (photos allowed)
SILÊNCIO
/see-LEN-syoo/
Silence / Quiet
Quiet zone
Parks & Outdoors
Signs you'll see in parks, beaches, and outdoor spaces.
PARQUE
/PAHR-kee/
Park
Public parks, gardens
JARDIM
/zhahr-JEEM/
Garden
Public gardens
PRAIA
/PRAH-yah/
Beach
Coastal areas
TRILHA
/TREE-lyah/
Trail / Path
Hiking trails
MIRANTE
/mee-RAHN-tee/
Viewpoint / Lookout
Scenic overlooks
More info
Portugal also uses: MIRADOURO for viewpoint
ÁREA DE PIQUENIQUE
/AH-ree-ah jee pee-keh-NEE-kee/
Picnic Area
Designated picnic spots
PLAYGROUND
/play-GROWND/
Playground
Children's play area
More info
Also called: PARQUINHO (little park), ÁREA DE RECREAÇÃO (recreation area)
PROIBIDO NADAR
/proh-ee-BEE-doo nah-DAHR/
No Swimming
Water safety warning
CUIDADO
/kwee-DAH-doo/
Caution / Be Careful
Warning signs
PERIGO
/peh-REE-goo/
Danger
Hazard warnings
PROIBIDO ANIMAIS
/proh-ee-BEE-doo ah-nee-MAHYS/
No Pets
Pet restriction
ÁREA VERDE
/AH-ree-ah VEHR-jee/
Green Area
Protected green space
NÃO PISAR NA GRAMA
/nowng pee-ZAHR nah GRAH-mah/
Keep Off the Grass
Park signs
FONTE
/FON-tee/
Fountain
Water features
Street Signs
Navigate city streets and understand addresses.
RUA
/HOO-ah/
Street
Most common street type
More info
Abbreviation: R. (Rua XV de Novembro = R. XV de Novembro)
AVENIDA
/ah-veh-NEE-dah/
Avenue
Major roads
More info
Abbreviation: Av. (Avenida Paulista = Av. Paulista)
PRAÇA
/PRAH-sah/
Square / Plaza
Public squares
LARGO
/LAHR-goo/
Small Square / Wide Street
Historic town squares
TRAVESSA
/trah-VEH-sah/
Alley / Lane
Small cross streets
ALAMEDA
/ah-lah-MEH-dah/
Tree-lined Avenue
Boulevards with trees
BECO
/BEH-koo/
Alley / Dead-end
Narrow passages
NÚMERO
/NOO-meh-roo/
Number
Street number
More info
Abbreviation: Nº or N° (Rua Augusta, 500 or R. Augusta, Nº 500)
BAIRRO
/BAI-hoo/
Neighborhood
District within a city
CEP
/seh-eh-PEH/
Postal Code (Brazil)
ZIP code equivalent
More info
Format: 5 digits + dash + 3 digits (01310-100)
Portugal uses: CÓDIGO POSTAL (4 digits + dash + 3 digits)
ESQUINA
/esh-KEE-nah/
Corner
Street corner
CRUZAMENTO
/kroo-zah-MEN-too/
Intersection
Where streets meet
Elevators & Stairs
Getting between floors in buildings.
ELEVADOR
/eh-leh-vah-DOHR/
Elevator
Lift signs
ESCADA
/esh-KAH-dah/
Stairs / Staircase
Stairwell signs
ESCADA ROLANTE
/esh-KAH-dah hoh-LAHN-tee/
Escalator
Moving stairs
SUBIR
/soo-BEER/
Go Up
Elevator/escalator direction
DESCER
/deh-SEHR/
Go Down
Elevator/escalator direction
ABRIR / FECHAR
/ah-BREER/ /feh-SHAHR/
Open / Close
Elevator door buttons
LOTADO
/loh-TAH-doo/
Full / At Capacity
Elevator capacity warning
EM MANUTENÇÃO
/eng mah-noo-ten-SOWNG/
Under Maintenance
Out of service
FORA DE SERVIÇO
/FOH-rah jee sehr-VEE-soo/
Out of Service
Not working
CAPACIDADE
/kah-pah-see-DAH-jee/
Capacity
Max persons/weight