How to Say Hello in Portuguese is more than just learning a simple greeting—it’s about connecting with people in a warm, friendly way that reflects Portuguese and Brazilian culture.From formal phrases used in business settings to casual expressions shared among friends, Portuguese offers multiple ways to say hello, each carrying its own tone and charm.
Whether you’re traveling to Lisbon, exploring Rio de Janeiro, or chatting online with native speakers, knowing the right greeting can make your interactions more natural and inviting.
Say Hello in Portuguese
Here’s your 15 ways to say Hello in Portuguese in a table with pronunciation, meaning, and context:
Let’s explore 15 ways to say hello in Portuguese, complete with dialogues and fascinating background on how they’re used.
15 phrases table for How to Say Hello in Portuguese
| Portuguese Greeting | Pronunciation | Meaning | Context |
|---|---|---|---|
| Olá | oh-LAH | Hello | Standard greeting, formal or neutral |
| Oi | oy | Hi | Casual and friendly |
| Bom dia | bohm JEE-ah | Good morning | Used until midday |
| Boa tarde | BOH-ah TAR-jee | Good afternoon | From midday until sunset |
| Boa noite | BOH-ah NOY-chee | Good evening / Good night | Evening greeting or farewell |
| Alô | ah-LOH | Hello | Used when answering the phone |
| E aí? | eh ah-EE | What’s up? / How’s it going? | Informal, common among friends |
| Fala | FAH-lah | Speak / What’s up | Informal, often used between men |
| Como vai? | KOH-moo VAH-ee | How are you? | Polite and semi-formal |
| Como está? | KOH-moo es-TAH | How are you? | More formal than “Como vai?” |
| Tudo bem? | TOO-doo beng | All good? | Very common, friendly greeting |
| Tudo bom? | TOO-doo bohng | Everything good? | Similar to “Tudo bem?” |
| Seja bem-vindo(a) | SAY-zhah beng VEEN-doo/VEEN-dah | Welcome | Formal welcome to guests |
| Prazer em conhecê-lo/la | prah-ZER eng koh-nye-SEH-loh/lah | Pleasure to meet you | Formal introduction |
| Salve | SAHL-vee | Hello / Greetings | Informal, sometimes used in slang or regional contexts |
1. Olá
Origin:
The most direct translation of “hello.” It’s neutral, polite, and used throughout Portugal, Brazil, and other Lusophone countries.
Example:
👤 User A: Olá! Tudo bem?
👤 User B: Olá! Tudo ótimo, e você?
Use: Standard and polite. Appropriate in most situations.
2. Oi
Origin:
A casual, friendly greeting that’s especially popular in Brazil. Think of it like “hi” in English.
Example:
👤 User A: Oi, Carla! Que saudade!
👤 User B: Oi! Também senti sua falta!
Use: Informal. Common among friends and peers.
3. Alô
Origin:
Used primarily on the phone, similar to how English speakers say “Hello?” when answering a call. Comes from the French “Allô.”
Example:
📞 User A: Alô, quem fala?
📞 User B: É o Pedro. Tudo bem?
Use: Strictly used on the telephone.
4. Bom dia (Good morning)
Origin:
“Bom dia” literally means “good day” and is a polite way to greet someone before noon.
Example:
👤 User A: Bom dia, Dona Maria!
👤 User B: Bom dia, querido!
Use: Formal or informal morning greeting.
5. Boa tarde (Good afternoon)
Origin:
Used after noon until early evening, it’s a time-based greeting showing courtesy and respect.
Example:
👤 User A: Boa tarde, senhores.
👤 User B: Boa tarde! Em que posso ajudar?
Use: Polite and professional afternoon greeting.
6. Boa noite (Good evening / Good night)
Origin:
Used in the evening both to say hello and goodbye. Dates back to traditional Latin greetings.
Example:
👤 User A: Boa noite, tudo certo?
👤 User B: Boa noite! Tudo sim.
Use: Evening greeting or farewell.
7. E aí? (What’s up?)
Origin:
Slang used in Brazil, similar to “What’s up?” or “Yo.” “E aí” literally means “And there?”
Example:
👤 User A: E aí, beleza?
👤 User B: Tudo tranquilo! E você?
Use: Informal, used among young people and friends.
8. Oi, tudo bem? (Hi, everything good?)
Origin:
A full greeting that combines a friendly “hi” with a polite check-in.
Example:
👤 User A: Oi, tudo bem?
👤 User B: Tudo sim, e com você?
Use: Friendly and common opener in conversations.
9. Oi, sumido! (Hi, stranger!)
Origin:
“Sumido” means “disappeared.” This playful greeting is used when someone hasn’t been around in a while.
Example:
👤 User A: Oi, sumido! Pensei que tinha sumido de vez.
👤 User B: Haha, muita correria! Saudade!
Use: Informal and playful.
10. Fala aí! (Speak up / Hey!)
Origin:
Casual Brazilian slang, often used among men. It literally means “Speak there,” but is used as “What’s up?”
Example:
👤 User A: Fala aí, irmão!
👤 User B: Fala! Tudo tranquilo?
Use: Informal and masculine; very casual.
11. Oi gente! (Hi everyone!)
Origin:
“Gente” means “people.” This greeting is commonly used to say hello to a group.
Example:
👤 User A: Oi, gente! Cheguei!
👤 User B: Oi! Estávamos esperando você!
Use: Friendly and inclusive; great for groups.
12. Tudo certo? (Everything okay?)
Origin:
Common Brazilian check-in greeting. Similar to “All good?” in English.
Example:
👤 User A: Tudo certo, Rafael?
👤 User B: Certíssimo! E aí?
Use: Informal and friendly.
13. Como vai? (How’s it going?)
Origin:
A more formal greeting, often used with people you don’t know very well.
Example:
👤 User A: Boa tarde, Sr. João. Como vai?
👤 User B: Muito bem, obrigado. E o senhor?
Use: Formal or professional contexts.
14. Oi, tudo jóia? (Hi, all good/jewel?)
Origin:
“Jóia” means “jewel.” Used as slang for “everything’s great.”
Example:
👤 User A: Oi, tudo jóia?
👤 User B: Tudo jóia! E contigo?
Use: Informal and upbeat, mostly in Brazil.
15. Salve! (Yo / Greetings!)
Origin:
Originally a formal salute, “salve” has been adopted into urban slang in Brazil, especially in rap and online communities.
Example:
👤 User A: Salve, mano!
👤 User B: Salve! De boa?
Use: Cool, street-style greeting.
FAQs
1. What is the most common way to say hello in Portuguese?
The most common greeting is “Olá” — similar to “Hello.”
2. How do you say hello politely?
Use “Bom dia” (good morning), “Boa tarde” (good afternoon), or “Boa noite” (good evening).
3. How do you greet someone casually?
You can say “Oi” — friendly and informal, like “Hi.”
4. Is Portuguese greeting the same in Brazil and Portugal?
Mostly yes — “Olá” and “Oi” work in both, but Portugal uses “Boa tarde/Boa noite” more formally.
5. How do you say hello on the phone in Portuguese?
People usually answer with “Alô?”
6. How do I say “Hello everyone” in Portuguese?
Use “Olá, pessoal!” — “Hello, everyone!”
7. What’s a cute or friendly way to say hello?
Some people say “Oie!” — soft and playful.
8. How do you greet elders respectfully?
Use polite greetings like “Bom dia” or “Boa tarde.”
9. What’s a common greeting among close friends?
Friends often say “E aí?” — similar to “What’s up?”
10. How do you greet someone in a business setting?
Use polite time-based greetings like “Bom dia” with a handshake.
11. How do I greet someone after a long time?
Say “Quanto tempo!” — “Long time no see!”
12. How do kids usually say hello?
Kids commonly say “Oi!” — simple and cheerful.
13. How do you say hello in formal writing?
Use “Prezado(a)” — similar to “Dear” in letters/emails.
14. Is kissing on the cheek part of greeting?
Yes, in Brazil, a cheek kiss (or two) is common among friends and family.
15. What’s a warm, friendly greeting in Portuguese?
“Seja bem-vindo(a)” — “Welcome!” used to warmly greet someone arriving.
Conclusion:
Learning how to say hello in Portuguese opens the door to more meaningful conversations and cultural connections. Whether you use the formal “Olá” or the friendly “Oi”, each greeting helps you leave a positive impression and show respect for the Portuguese-speaking world.The more greetings you learn, the more confident and natural you’ll sound in your interactions.
