Brazilian Portuguese phrases for chatting (plus texting slang)
Updated October 17, 2026
You don't need fluent Portuguese to chat with Brazilians. A few words go a long way, and Brazilians are famously happy to see a foreigner try. These phrases will help you start and keep the conversation going, and at the end you'll find the texting slang you will see all the time.
Getting started
- Oi, tudo bem? — Hi, how are you? (the classic; the answer is Tudo bem, e você?)
- Prazer! — Nice to meet you!
- De onde você é? — Where are you from?
- Vi no seu perfil que… — I saw on your profile that…
- Eu estou aprendendo português. — I'm learning Portuguese.
Keeping the conversation going
- O que você gosta de fazer? — What do you like to do?
- Você trabalha com o quê? — What do you do for work?
- Que legal! — That's cool!
- Sério? — Really?
- Como foi seu dia? — How was your day?
- Pode falar mais devagar? — Can you speak more slowly? (great for voice messages)
- Como se diz … em português? — How do you say … in Portuguese?
Saying goodbye
- Até mais! / Até logo! — See you later!
- Boa noite! — Good night!
- Beijos / bjs — literally “kisses”: a very common, friendly sign-off between friends. It isn't necessarily romantic!
- Abraço — “hug”, a warm sign-off, common between men.
Texting slang
- kkkk or rs — laughing (like “lol”). More k's = funnier.
- vc — você, you
- tb / tbm — também, also
- blz — beleza, OK / cool / all good
- tô — estou, I am
- pq — porque / por que, because / why
- valeu! — thanks! (casual)
- saudade — the famous word with no exact translation: missing someone or something deeply.
A quick tip on voice messages
Brazilians love WhatsApp-style voice messages. Don't be surprised to get audio instead of text. It's a great way to train your ear.
On Hello Beijo, messages can be translated with one tap, so you can read along and reply in Portuguese when you feel ready. See also how to do a language exchange with Brazilians.