Shop with confidence. Store signs, pharmacy vocabulary, ATM screens, receipts, and market navigation.
Common store categories you'll see on storefronts and in malls.
Where you'll see it: On storefronts everywhere, usually combined with what they sell.
Related terms: LOJA DE ROUPAS (clothing store), LOJA DE BRINQUEDOS (toy store), LOJA DE CONVENIÊNCIA (convenience store)
Where you'll see it: Storefronts, mall directories, shopping centers.
Good to know: In Brazil, DROGARIA is also common (larger pharmacy chain style). In Portugal, pharmacies often display hours and a green cross that lights up when open.
Where you'll see it: Store signage, mall directories, Google Maps.
Related terms: HIPERMERCADO (hypermarket/big box), MERCEARIA (small grocery), MINIMERCADO (mini-mart)
Where you'll see it: Storefronts, especially on neighborhood corners.
Good to know: Brazilian padarias are multi-purpose—bread, coffee, snacks, basic groceries. Portuguese padarias focus more on bread and pastries.
Related terms: PASTELARIA (pastry shop, more common in Portugal), CONFEITARIA (confectionery)
Where you'll see it: Standalone shops, market stalls, supermarket sections.
Regional note: Portugal uses TALHO /TAH-lyoo/, Brazil uses AÇOUGUE. Both may have CARNES (meats) on signage.
Where you'll see it: Markets, coastal towns, supermarket sections.
Related: FRUTOS DO MAR (seafood), PEIXE (fish), MARISCO (shellfish)
Where you'll see it: Storefronts, malls, near schools.
Helpful for: Buying notebooks, pens, small gifts, sometimes printing/copying services.
Related: BIJUTERIA (costume jewelry), RELOJOARIA (watch shop/repair)
Related: SAPATOS (shoes), CALÇADOS (footwear), TÊNIS (sneakers)
Related: ÓCULOS (glasses), ÓCULOS DE SOL (sunglasses), LENTES DE CONTATO (contact lenses)
Related: LAVAGEM A SECO (dry cleaning), LAVAR (wash), PASSAR (iron)
Navigate pharmacy aisles and understand product labels.
Where you'll see it: Signs saying "COM RECEITA" (with prescription) or "SEM RECEITA" (no prescription needed).
Good to know: Many medications that require prescriptions in the US/UK are available without one here, and vice versa.
Related: MEDICAMENTO (medication, more formal), COMPRIMIDO (pill/tablet), CÁPSULA (capsule)
Common combinations: DOR DE CABEÇA (headache), DOR DE ESTÔMAGO (stomachache), DOR DE GARGANTA (sore throat), DOR NAS COSTAS (back pain)
Related: GRIPE (flu/cold), RESFRIADO (cold), FEBRE (fever), TOSSE (cough)
Related: FPS (SPF - fator de proteção solar), BRONZEADOR (tanning oil)
Good to know: Essential in Brazil, especially in tropical regions. Look for "contra mosquitos" (against mosquitos).
Related: GAZE (gauze), ESPARADRAPO (medical tape), ALGODÃO (cotton)
Good to know: Brazil has a strong generic medication system. Generic packages have a yellow stripe and "G" marking. Often significantly cheaper.
Related: DATA DE VALIDADE (expiration date), VENCIMENTO (expiry), VAL: (expiry abbreviation)
What you'll see on ATM screens and at banks.
Brazil: CAIXA ELETRÔNICO or BANCO 24 HORAS
Portugal: MULTIBANCO (the nationwide ATM network)
Portuguese ATMs are nearly all part of the MULTIBANCO system and offer many more services than just cash withdrawal.
Brazil also uses: BANCO 24 HORAS (24-hour bank), TERMINAL DE AUTOATENDIMENTO (self-service terminal)
Portugal's MULTIBANCO: Also handles bill payments, phone top-ups, train tickets, and more!
Related: SACAR/LEVANTAR (to withdraw), SAQUE RÁPIDO (quick withdrawal - preset amounts)
Related: CONSULTAR SALDO (check balance), EXTRATO (statement)
You'll see: DIGITE SUA SENHA (enter your PIN), CONFIRME A SENHA (confirm PIN)
You'll see: DIGITE O VALOR (enter the amount), OUTRO VALOR (other amount)
You'll see: DESEJA RECIBO? (do you want a receipt?), IMPRIMIR RECIBO (print receipt)
Related: CASA DE CÂMBIO (exchange office), TAXA DE CÂMBIO (exchange rate), COMPRA/VENDA (buy/sell rate)
Watch for: TAXA DE SAQUE (withdrawal fee), SEM TAXA (no fee)
Understanding receipts, price tags, and payment terms.
Good to know: In Brazil, NOTA FISCAL is the official tax document. Sometimes you're asked "Deseja nota fiscal?" (Do you want a receipt?). In Portugal, FATURA is the standard term.
Also see: CUPOM FISCAL (cash register receipt), RECIBO (simple receipt)
Related: PREÇO UNITÁRIO (unit price), PREÇO FINAL (final price), À VISTA (cash price)
Related: % DE DESCONTO (% off), PROMOÇÃO (sale/promotion), OFERTA (offer/deal)
Good to know: In Brazil, taxes are usually included in displayed prices. Receipts may show the tax portion separately.
Brazil culture: Many stores offer discounts for À VISTA (paying in full now rather than installments).
Brazilian culture: Extremely common! You'll see "3x sem juros" (3 installments without interest). Items from clothes to electronics are often paid in 6, 10, or 12 monthly installments.
Related: PARCELAS (installments), SEM JUROS (no interest), COM JUROS (with interest)
Related: CARTÃO DE CRÉDITO (credit card), CARTÃO DE DÉBITO (debit card), APROXIMAÇÃO (contactless/tap)
Brazil only: PIX is Brazil's instant payment system, ubiquitous since 2020. Nearly every store, restaurant, and vendor accepts PIX via QR code. Tourists can use it with a Brazilian bank account or some digital wallets.
Portugal only: MB WAY is Portugal's popular mobile payment system linked to bank accounts. Very common for peer-to-peer payments and some stores.
Where you'll see it: Signs pointing to checkout, above register lanes.
Related: CAIXA RÁPIDO (express checkout), CAIXA PREFERENCIAL (priority lane for elderly/disabled)
Navigate aisles and understand department signs.
Related: FRUTAS (fruits), VERDURAS (greens), LEGUMES (vegetables)
Related: PRESUNTO (ham), QUEIJO (cheese), FATIADO (sliced)
Good to know: Plastic bags cost extra or are banned in many places. Bring your own SACOLA REUTILIZÁVEL (reusable bag).
Sizes, sections, and fitting room signs.
You'll see: Limits like "MÁXIMO 5 PEÇAS" (maximum 5 items)
Common sizes: P (pequeno/small), M (médio/medium), G (grande/large), GG (extra grande/XL)
Brazil uses: 36, 38, 40, 42... for numbered sizes (different from US/UK)
Related: PROMOÇÃO (sale/promotion), OFERTA (offer), QUEIMA DE ESTOQUE (clearance)
Related: POLÍTICA DE TROCA (exchange policy), DEVOLUÇÃO (return)
Outdoor markets, fairs, and vendor vocabulary.
Brazil: FEIRA is the common term for weekly neighborhood markets with fresh produce, cheap clothes, etc. FEIRA LIVRE = open-air market.
Portugal: Markets are more commonly called MERCADO. FEIRA tends to mean festival/fair.
Famous markets: Mercado Municipal (São Paulo), Mercado da Ribeira (Lisbon), Mercado do Bolhão (Porto)
Common at: Produce stalls, buffet restaurants, bulk foods.
Related: POR UNIDADE (per unit), POR PEÇA (per piece)