“Embaraçada” isn't pregnant and “propina” is a bribe. Key false friends, survival phrases and where to learn Portuguese in Rio.
4–6 months
to converse, for Spanish speakers
9–12 months
what it takes an English speaker
From R$23/h
school classes in Rio
Free
weekly language exchanges
Spanish speakers can read a surprising amount of Portuguese from day one. The catch: portuñol is full of traps—words that look almost identical but mean something else (false friends)—and pronunciation changes a lot, especially in Rio.
Here are the false friends that cause the most confusion, survival phrases with approximate pronunciation, a quiz and options for studying in Rio.
Tap each card
False friends: words that betray you
The front shows the Portuguese word. Flip it to see what it really means.
↻ Touchez pour retourner
Survival phrases with pronunciation
Tap the audio icon to hear them
Pronunciation is spelled the way a Spanish speaker would read it. Capitalized syllables are stressed.
Oi, tudo bem?
/OI, TU-du bẽi/
Hi, how are you?
Tudo bom, e você?
/TU-du bõ, i vo-SÊ/
All good, and you?
Bom dia / Boa tarde / Boa noite
/bõ YÍ-a / BO-a TAR-yi / BO-a NOI-chi/
Good morning / afternoon / evening
5 sounds that change everything
Initial “r” and “rr” sound like an “h”
Rio sounds like “HEE-oo”, carro like “KAH-hoo”.
“ti” and “di” become “chee” and “jee”
Noite = “NOY-chee”, dia = “JEE-ah”. Final “e” sounds like “ee”.
Final “o” sounds like “oo”
Obrigado = “oh-bree-GAH-doo”.
“lh” = “ly” and “nh” = “ny”
Trabalho = “trah-BAH-lyoo”, caipirinha = “kai-pee-REEN-yah”.
The carioca “s” sounds like “sh”
In Rio, an “s” at the end of a syllable turns into “sh”: mais = “maish”. It's the signature carioca accent.
Quiz: would you fall for a false friend?
You want to compliment your meal. What do you say?
How long does it take to learn Portuguese?
Week 1: survival
Greetings, numbers, ordering and paying.
1 week
Months 1–2: understanding
You read most things and follow basic speech. Focus on pronunciation and false friends.
1–2 months
Months 4–6: conversation
Spanish speakers usually reach conversational level in 4–6 months; English speakers take 9–12.
4–6 months
Free: FSI course
The US FSI “From Spanish to Portuguese” course is free and designed for Spanish speakers.
Where to study Portuguese in Rio
Caminhos (Ipanema)
From R$23/h
Non-profit with 20 h/week intensives; fees support social projects.
Rio & Learn (Copacabana)
R$1,280/week (1 wk) to R$704 (16+ wks)
Large school with leveled groups and cultural activities. Private lessons R$108–154/h.
Private tutor
≈ R$108–154/h via schools
Ideal to polish pronunciation once you already understand a lot.
FSI course (online)
Free
“From Spanish to Portuguese”: audio lessons for Spanish speakers.
Free language exchanges
Mundo Lingo — Thursdays 7 pm
Bukowski bar, Botafogo. Flag stickers show who speaks what.
Bar do B — Tuesdays 7 pm
Largo do Machado. Laid-back bar vibe.
Rio Speaks English — Saturdays
Travessa Botafogo. Locals practice English, you practice Portuguese.
Apps that actually help
- Duolingo: build a daily habit.
- Tandem or HelloTalk: chat with Brazilians learning your language.
- Google Translate with Portuguese downloaded: the camera translates menus offline.
- Music and shows: bossa nova, samba and Brazilian series with Portuguese subtitles train your ear.
Questions fréquentes
Many understand a fair amount of slow Spanish, especially in tourist areas.
Portuguese crash lesson + tour
Learn the basics with a carioca guide while you explore: ordering at a boteco, beach haggling and slang. Custom, request it on WhatsApp.
Practice your Portuguese on these tours
Guide, transfers included, pay by international card or Pix.
1 Journée complète à Rio
Tour complet d'une journée entière des principales attractions touristiques de Rio : Pain de Sucre, Centre Historique, Selarón, São Bento et Christ Rédempteur.
Visite du Christ Rédempteur
Montez au Christ Rédempteur par le train historique du Corcovado et admirez la vue panoramique à 360° la plus époustouflante de Rio de Janeiro.
Excursions recommandées
Réservez en ligne avec un guide local, prix fixe et paiement par carte internationale ou Pix.
1 Journée complète à Rio
Tour complet d'une journée entière des principales attractions touristiques de Rio : Pain de Sucre, Centre Historique, Selarón, São Bento et Christ Rédempteur.
Visite du Christ Rédempteur
Montez au Christ Rédempteur par le train historique du Corcovado et admirez la vue panoramique à 360° la plus époustouflante de Rio de Janeiro.
