First Phrases

Table for one · Português

Table for one phrases in Portuguese: 15 phrases

Ask for a table for one, check whether you need a reservation, book for tomorrow, sit at the bar or counter, order the menu of the day, ask what they recommend, mention vegetarian or allergies, ask for tap water, then get the bill, pay by card, ask about service and take the rest home. Short, natural phrases for eating out on your own.

Phrases, not advice. These cards only help you say what you need. They give no medical, legal, tax or financial advice. For any decision, ask the pharmacist, doctor, bank or the official office.

Register: Polite (formal is safer). In Portugal use the polite third person (the verb alone, as below) with waiters ("empregado" / "empregada") and restaurant staff. "Ementa" or "menu" is the menu, "balcão" the counter, "conta" the bill. Phrases only: this card says nothing about prices, tipping or what a restaurant must do.

How to read the sounds: European Portuguese swallows unstressed vowels, so syllables sound shorter than they look. (n) = nasal vowel, don't sound the n. sh = the 'sh' of 'ship' for final s and x. Stress is in CAPITALS.

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15 phrases you will need

  1. 01Neutral
    Uma mesa para uma pessoa, por favor.
    Say it like: OO-mah MEH-zah PAH-rah OO-mah peh-SOH-ah, poor fah-VOR
    A table for one, please.
    Register: Also "Uma mesa para um" (a woman can say "para uma").
  2. 02Neutral
    É preciso reservar?
    Say it like: eh preh-SEE-zoo reh-zer-VAR
    Do I need a reservation?
    Register: Also "Tenho de reservar?" (Do I have to book?).
  3. 03Neutral
    Posso reservar para amanhã às oito da noite?
    Say it like: POH-soo reh-zer-VAR PAH-rah ah-mah-NYANG ahz OY-too dah NOY-teh
    Can I book for tomorrow at 8 in the evening?
    Register: "Da noite" avoids any doubt about a.m. or p.m. Add "para uma pessoa".
  4. 04Neutral
    A cozinha ainda está aberta?
    Say it like: ah koo-ZEE-nyah ah-EEN-dah ish-TAH ah-BEHR-tah
    Is the kitchen still open?
    Register: Also "Ainda se pode comer?" (Can one still eat?).
  5. 05Neutral
    Posso sentar-me ao balcão?
    Say it like: POH-soo sen-TAR-meh ow bal-KOWNG
    Can I sit at the counter?
    Register: "Balcão" is the counter or bar. "Numa mesa" = at a table.
  6. 06Neutral
    Têm menu do dia?
    Say it like: tayng meh-NOO doo DEE-ah
    Do you have a menu of the day?
    Register: "Prato do dia" is the dish of the day. "Ementa do dia" also appears on boards.
  7. 07Neutral
    O que é que recomenda?
    Say it like: oo kee eh kee reh-koh-MEN-dah
    What do you recommend?
    Register: Short: "O que recomenda?".
  8. 08Neutral
    Sou vegetariano.
    Say it like: soh veh-zheh-tah-RYAH-noo
    I'm vegetarian.
    Register: A woman says "vegetariana". Ask "Tem carne ou peixe?" (Does it have meat or fish?).
  9. 09Neutral
    Sou alérgico a …
    Say it like: soh ah-LEHR-zhee-koo ah
    I'm allergic to …
    Register: A woman says "alérgica". Add: "frutos secos" (nuts), "glúten", "marisco" (shellfish).
  10. 10Neutral
    Água da torneira, por favor.
    Say it like: AH-gwah dah toor-NAY-rah, poor fah-VOR
    Tap water, please.
    Register: Say "uma garrafa de água" for a bottle of water.
  11. 11Neutral
    Pode trazer a conta, por favor?
    Say it like: POH-deh trah-ZER ah KOHN-tah, poor fah-VOR
    Could I have the bill, please?
    Register: Short and common: "A conta, por favor."
  12. 12Neutral
    Posso pagar com cartão?
    Say it like: POH-soo pah-GAR kohng kar-TOWNG
    Can I pay by card?
    Register: "Em dinheiro" means in cash.
  13. 13Neutral
    O serviço está incluído?
    Say it like: oo ser-VEE-soo ish-TAH eeng-kloo-EE-doo
    Is service included?
    Register: "Incluído" means included.
  14. 14Neutral
    Pode embalar o resto para levar?
    Say it like: POH-deh eym-bah-LAR oo REHSH-too PAH-rah leh-VAR
    Could you pack the rest for me to take?
    Register: "Para levar" = to take away. "Embalar" means to pack up.
  15. 15Neutral
    Estava tudo delicioso, obrigado.
    Say it like: ish-TAH-vah TOO-doo deh-lee-SYOH-zoo, oh-bree-GAH-doo
    Everything was delicious, thank you.
    Register: A woman says "obrigada".

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Quick answers

How do you ask for a table for one in Portuguese?

Say: "Uma mesa para uma pessoa, por favor." (A table for one, please.)

Should I use informal or formal Portuguese with a waiter?

In Portugal use the polite third person (the verb alone, as below) with waiters ("empregado" / "empregada") and restaurant staff. "Ementa" or "menu" is the menu, "balcão" the counter, "conta" the bill. Phrases only: this card says nothing about prices, tipping or what a restaurant must do.

How do I say I am vegetarian or allergic in Portuguese?

Say: "Sou vegetariano." (I'm vegetarian.) and "Sou alérgico a …" (I'm allergic to …)

How do I ask for the bill and pay by card in Portuguese?

Try: "Pode trazer a conta, por favor?" (Could I have the bill, please?) and "Posso pagar com cartão?" (Can I pay by card?)

Table for one phrases in another language

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Portuguese, another errand

Pharmacy Doctor / GP Opening a bank account Tax office Renting a flat Christmas market Post office and parcels Registering at the town hall

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firstphrases.app/survival/table-for-one/pt/ · Phrases, not advice · Meet & Mint