Asking for directions and using public transport in Brazilian Portuguese

Level A2

Asking for directions and using public transport in Brazilian Portuguese

Use these phrases to ask for directions and get transport information. English commands do not change verb form for politeness. Here, “vire,” “siga” and “pegue” model polite instructions, while “vira” and “vai” model casual speech; actual usage varies by region, and these verb forms do not always signal formality. “O senhor” respectfully addresses a man and takes a third-person singular verb; use “a senhora” for a woman. “Pra” and “pro” are conversational forms of “para” and “para o.” “Queria” literally has an imperfect past form but makes a polite request here, like “I'd like.” “Por favor” adds politeness. The fuller questions with “devo” or “a que horas” sound more careful here than the conversational alternatives. “A gente” means “we” but takes a singular verb, as in “a gente chega”; it is common in speech, including polite exchanges. Portuguese questions do not need English “do” or “does”: “Que horas esse trem sai?” keeps the subject before the verb.

Route words

Asking how to get somewhere

Como eu chego destino?

Telling someone where to turn

Vire direção ponto de referência.

Checking which way to go

Devo ir direção ponto de referência?

Saying how far to go

Siga em frente distância ou ponto de chegada.

A conversation about directions

Transport words

Choosing a train

Qual trem devo pegar para destino?

Buying a ticket

Queria uma passagem para destino, por favor.

Checking when a train leaves

A que horas serviço de transporte sai?

Checking when you arrive

A que horas a gente chega destino?

Checking whether you need to change trains

Preciso trocar de trem local da baldeação?

A conversation about a train journey

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