How to Say Hello in Portuguese
Learn how to say hello in Portuguese. 'Olá' is universal and 'Oi' is the casual favorite. Pronunciation guide + Brazilian vs European Portuguese greetings.
Published · 1 min read · Free · No sign-up
Quick answer
To say hello in Portuguese, say 'Olá' (oh-LAH) — universal and works everywhere — or 'Oi' (oy), the casual favorite especially in Brazil. Time-specific greetings: 'Bom dia' (good morning), 'Boa tarde' (good afternoon), and 'Boa noite' (good evening/night). 'Oi' is the everyday Brazilian hi; 'Olá' is slightly more neutral and used across all Portuguese-speaking countries.
Olá
/oh-LAH/ — Portuguese
How to Say Hello in Portuguese
Portuguese — spoken across Brazil, Portugal, and parts of Africa and Asia by over 250 million people — greets the world warmly. Olá and Oi are your two essential hellos.
The Two Everyday Hellos
| Portuguese | Pronunciation | Feel |
|---|---|---|
| Olá | oh-LAH | Universal, neutral-friendly |
| Oi | oy | Casual (Brazil favorite) |
Copy the Phrase
The Portuguese word for hello is Olá (oh-LAH) — or Oi (oy) for a casual hi.
Olá vs. Oi
- Olá — the universal hello, used in both Brazil and Portugal, casual to semi-formal
- Oi — more casual; the everyday favorite in Brazil (like “hi”). Less common in Portugal
Both are friendly. Oi is just a touch more informal.
Time-of-Day Greetings
| Portuguese | Pronunciation | When |
|---|---|---|
| Bom dia | bohn DEE-ah | Good morning (until noon) |
| Boa tarde | BOH-ah TAR-jee | Good afternoon (noon–sunset) |
| Boa noite | BOH-ah NOY-chee | Good evening AND good night |
Note the gender agreement: dia (day) is masculine → bom dia, while tarde and noite are feminine → boa tarde / boa noite.
Brazilian vs. European Portuguese
The words are the same, but there are differences (like British vs. American English):
| Aspect | Brazil | Portugal |
|---|---|---|
| Casual hello | Oi (favored) | Olá (favored) |
| Vowels | Open, musical | More closed, clipped |
| ”Boa noite" | "BOH-ah NOY-chee" | "BOH-ah NOYT” |
Speakers of both understand each other perfectly.
After Hello: How Are You?
| Portuguese | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Tudo bem? | too-doo bayn | All good? (most common) |
| Tudo bom? | too-doo bohn | Everything good? |
| Como vai? | KOH-moo vye | How’s it going? |
| Como está? | KOH-moo esh-TAH | How are you? (formal) |
The classic Brazilian opener: “Oi, tudo bem?” Reply with “Tudo bem!” or “Tudo bom!”
All the Greetings Together
| Portuguese | Use |
|---|---|
| Olá | Hello (universal) |
| Oi | Hi (casual, Brazil) |
| Bom dia | Good morning |
| Boa tarde | Good afternoon |
| Boa noite | Good evening / night |
| E aí? | What’s up? (very casual, Brazil) |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Olá and Oi?
'Olá' (oh-LAH) is the universal, slightly more neutral 'hello' — used in both Brazil and Portugal, in casual and semi-formal situations. 'Oi' (oy) is more casual and is the everyday favorite in Brazil — like 'hi.' In Portugal, 'Olá' is more common as the casual greeting and 'Oi' is used less. Both are friendly; 'Oi' is just a touch more informal.
How do you pronounce Olá?
'Olá' is pronounced oh-LAH, with the stress on the second syllable (the accent on the á marks the stress). 'O' = oh, 'lá' = LAH. It's an easy, open, friendly sound. 'Oi' is pronounced 'oy' (like the English 'oi!' or the 'oy' in 'boy').
What are the Portuguese time-of-day greetings?
Portuguese uses: 'Bom dia' (bohn DEE-ah) = good morning (until noon); 'Boa tarde' (BOH-ah TAR-jee/TAR-duh) = good afternoon (noon to sunset/evening); 'Boa noite' (BOH-ah NOY-chee/NOIT) = good evening AND good night (after dark, used both as greeting and farewell). Note 'dia' is masculine (bom dia) while 'tarde' and 'noite' are feminine (boa).
Is Portuguese hello different in Brazil and Portugal?
The words are the same, but usage and pronunciation differ. Brazil favors 'Oi' for casual hello and has a softer, more open, musical pronunciation (e.g. 'boa noite' sounds like 'BOH-ah NOY-chee'). Portugal favors 'Olá', uses more closed/clipped vowels, and pronounces things like 'boa noite' closer to 'BOH-ah NOYT'. Both understand each other perfectly — it's like British vs American English.
How do you say 'how are you' after hello in Portuguese?
Common follow-ups: 'Tudo bem?' (too-doo bayn — all good?/how are you? — the most common), 'Como vai?' (KOH-moo vye — how's it going?), 'Tudo bom?' (everything good?), 'Como está?' (formal — how are you?). 'Oi, tudo bem?' is the classic friendly Brazilian opener. You typically reply 'Tudo bem!' or 'Tudo bom!'