Spring is just around the corner in Portugal, and we can’t wait for a break from all the rain and cold weather. With that in mind, today we’ll tell you about some Portuguese words that’ll help you appreciate when o solthe sun finally arrives!
Let’s start with what you’ll see all around you:
A primaveraSpring is when the Portuguese love their esplanadas (outdoor seating) the most. You can enjoy them too – all you have to do is find a mesa ao sol (table in the sun) and order um café (a coffee) and uma água com gás (a sparkling water).
If someone local invites you for a piquenique (picnic) you’ll need:
- a toalhatowel for sitting
- a cestabasket for snacks
- os óculos de solsunglasses for the bright sun
- o bonécap for protection
And when asked where you want to meet, perhaps you could say:
- no jardimin the garden
- no parquein the park
- junto ao rioby the river
And of course, enjoying spring in Portugal means knowing how to handle those café transactions! Whether you’re paying for your morning pastel de nata or settling the bill after a long afternoon with friends, here are a few phrases you should know:
- A conta, por favorThe bill, please – A polite way to ask for the check when you’re ready to pay.
- Posso pagar com cartão?Can I pay by card? – Useful to know if you can pay with a credit/debit card.
- Eu pago tudoI'll pay for everything – If you have the money to spend!
Lastly, here’s a local tip: many smaller cafés and quiosques (kiosks) prefer cash, especially for small amounts. It’s always good to keep some trocos (change) handy!
Até já, primavera!