Portugal Language: What Do They Speak in Portugal?
The official language of Portugal is Portuguese. In Portuguese, the country is called Portugal. Portuguese is used in government, education, media and everyday life across the country.
🗣️ Language at a Glance
About the Portuguese Language
Portuguese grew out of the medieval Galician-Portuguese of northwestern Iberia, and the Age of Discoveries carried it around the globe from the 15th century: to Brazil, to the African coast, and as far as Goa, Macau and Timor. Today it is official in Portugal, Brazil, Angola, Mozambique, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, São Tomé and Príncipe, Equatorial Guinea and East Timor, making it the most spoken language in the Southern Hemisphere. Portuguese descends from Latin and its closest relative is Galician, spoken just across the border in northwestern Spain, with which it is largely mutually intelligible. It is also close to Spanish, though intelligibility is famously one-sided: Portuguese speakers tend to understand Spanish far more easily than the reverse.
The Latin alphabet: How Portuguese is Written
Portuguese uses the Latin alphabet with a rich set of diacritics: the tilde marks nasal vowels (São Paulo, pão), the cedilla softens c (ç), and acute, grave and circumflex accents mark stress and vowel quality. A 1990 orthographic agreement largely unified spelling between Portugal and Brazil, though pronunciation still differs markedly between the two standards.
Is Portuguese a Tonal Language?
No, Portuguese is not a tonal language. Its signature sound is nasality: nasal vowels and diphthongs like the ão in pão (bread) give the language its distinctive music but never change meaning through pitch.
🗨️ Useful Portuguese Phrases
A few everyday phrases in Portuguese, written in a simple romanized pronunciation so you can read them aloud. Tones and exact sounds vary by region, so treat these as a starting point.
How Hard is Portuguese to Learn?
Portuguese sits in the US Foreign Service Institute's easiest category for English speakers, around 600 to 750 class hours, with vocabulary that overlaps heavily with English through Latin. The challenge is the sound system: nasal vowels take practice, and European Portuguese swallows unstressed vowels so aggressively that learners usually find Brazilian pronunciation much easier to follow.
Language Tips for Visitors to Portugal
The official language of Portugal is Portuguese, which may be unfamiliar to many international travellers. While English speakers can often be found in larger cities and tourist-heavy areas, it is advisable to learn a few basic phrases before your trip. Locals greatly appreciate any effort to use the local language, even if imperfect. Simple greetings, thank-yous and asking for directions in Portuguese will go a long way. The country is officially known as Portugal in Portuguese, and the international dialling code is +351.
🌍 Other Countries Where Portuguese is Spoken
Portuguese is not exclusive to Portugal; it is also spoken in these countries:
Frequently Asked Questions about Language in Portugal
What language do they speak in Portugal?
The official language of Portugal is Portuguese.
Is English spoken in Portugal?
English is not an official language in Portugal. The main language is Portuguese. English may be spoken in tourist areas.
What is Portugal called in its own language?
Portugal is called "Portugal" in Portuguese.
What writing system does Portuguese use?
Portuguese is written in the Latin alphabet. Portuguese uses the Latin alphabet with a rich set of diacritics: the tilde marks nasal vowels (São Paulo, pão), the cedilla softens c (ç), and acute, grave and circumflex accents mark stress and vowel quality. A 1990 orthographic agreement largely unified spelling between Portugal and Brazil, though pronunciation still differs markedly between the two standards.
Is Portuguese a tonal language?
No, Portuguese is not a tonal language. Its signature sound is nasality: nasal vowels and diphthongs like the ão in pão (bread) give the language its distinctive music but never change meaning through pitch.
How do you say hello in Portuguese?
"Hello" in Portuguese is "olá (oh-LAH)".
Is Portuguese hard to learn?
Portuguese sits in the US Foreign Service Institute's easiest category for English speakers, around 600 to 750 class hours, with vocabulary that overlaps heavily with English through Latin. The challenge is the sound system: nasal vowels take practice, and European Portuguese swallows unstressed vowels so aggressively that learners usually find Brazilian pronunciation much easier to follow.
How many official languages does Portugal have?
Portugal has one official language: Portuguese.
Do I need to speak Portuguese to visit Portugal?
It is not required but learning basic phrases in Portuguese is strongly recommended and appreciated.
What is the calling code for Portugal?
The international dialling code for Portugal is +351.
What is the population of Portugal?
Portugal has a population of approximately 10.3M, all of whom use Portuguese as the official language.