4 Greetings and salutations – Saudações
BOM DIA, BOA TARDE and BOA NOITE
In Portuguese, “Bom dia,” “Boa tarde,” and “Boa noite” are greetings used to wish someone a good day, a good afternoon, and a good evening/night, respectively.
These expressions also show respect and are very often used instead of “Hi” (Oi) when innitiating a conversation, either in person, by phone or via text.
Audio Player
Bom dia is typically used in the morning, between 6:00 a.m. and 11:59 a.m.
Bom dia is used in Portuguese as a way to greet someone and wish them a good start to their day.
Boa tarde is typically used in the afternoon, between 12:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.
Boa tarde is also a way to greet someone and wish them a good afternoon.
Audio Player
Boa noite is typically used in the evening, after 6:00 p.m.
Boa noite is also used as a way to greet someone and wish them a good night.
Audio Player
USEFUL WORDS
Audio Player
-
-
- bem vindo/a (welcome)
- bom dia (good morning)
- boa tarde (good afternoon)
- boa noite (good evening/good night)
- obrigado/a (thanks/thank you)
- de nada (you’re welcome)
- com licença (excuse me)
- desculpe (excuse me/sinto muito)
- que pena (what a pity)
- sinto muito (I’m sorry)
- por favor (please)
- igualmente (dido/same)
- prazer/muito prazer (my pleasure/pleasure to meet you)
-
EXERCISES
Match the greeting with the correct time of day (“Bom dia,” “Boa tarde,” and “Boa noite”):
- São 11 horas da manhã. ___________________________________
- São 18 horas. ___________________________________________
- São 9 horas. ____________________________________________
- São 2 horas da manhã. ____________________________________
Write down the words you hear:
- _________________________________Audio Player
- _________________________________Audio Player
- _________________________________Audio Player
- _________________________________Audio Player
- _________________________________Audio Player
- _________________________________Audio Player
- _________________________________Audio Player
- _________________________________Audio Player
- _________________________________Audio Player
- _________________________________Audio Player
Role-play:
- Pair up with a partner and take turns greeting each other using “Bom dia,” “Boa tarde,” and “Boa noite” at different times of the day. Practice using the greetings in different social situations, such as at work, at a store, at a restaurant, etc.
Write a conversation:
Write conversations that includes all three greetings, “Bom dia,” “Boa tarde,” and “Boa noite.” Make sure to use the correct greeting for the time of day in the conversation.
Música: Jorge Ben Jor “Que Pena:”
Música: Michel Teló “Ai Se Eu Te Pego”
Key Takeaways
Bom dia, boa tarde and boa noite are a very important part of Portuguese language social etiquette. They are used as a way to show consideration and respect for others, and to start a conversation in a friendly and polite manner. These expressions can be used in both formal and informal situations.
OBRIGADO, OBRIGADA and DE NADA
The word thanks, or the expression thank you are considered gendered words in Portuguese. That means that they assume the gender of the person who says it, as they literally translate as I am obliged to you.
If you identify as male, say OBRIGADO.
If you identify as female, say OBRIGADA.
A gender neutral way of expressing thanks is to say OBRIGADE.
The answer is DE NADA.
