Drinks in Portuguese – What to Ask For (and How)
Whether you're at a café in Lisbon, a bar in Porto, or just picking up a drink at the corner café in Algarve, knowing how to order a drink in Portuguese is essential. In today’s issue, we’ll cover the must-know vocabulary and expressions related to beverages in European Portuguese.
Let’s dive in! 🍷☕🥤
Word/Phrase of the Week
“Posso tomar um copo de…”
= “Can I have a glass of…”
This phrase is your golden ticket to ordering politely. You can pair it with almost any drink:
Posso tomar um copo de leite? – Can I have a glass of milk?
Posso tomar um copo de vinho tinto? – Can I have a glass of red wine?
Simple. Polite. Very Portuguese.
🧃 Cultural Spotlight
Portugal has a deep coffee culture, but it’s not just about espresso. From sumo de laranja (orange juice) to vinho tinto (red wine), drinks are an important part of everyday life here. You don’t just order a drink—you make a connection.
Pro tip: In many cafés, you’ll hear locals ask for a bica (Lisbon slang for espresso). In Porto? It might just be called um café.
✈️ Insider Tips
In Portugal, sumo means juice (not suco like in Brazil).
Água com gás is sparkling water. Make sure you clarify if you want still water: “água sem gás.”
Want to blend in at the café? Don’t overcomplicate it. A confident “Uma bica, por favor” will earn you points.
“Gostaria de…” is a softer way to say “I would like…” and is great for being extra polite.
☕ Portuguese Drinks Vocabulary List
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This week’s quiz will help you lock in these drink-related expressions and test how well you remember what to say (and how to say it). You’ll practice sentence completion, phrase translation, and polite request forms.