Learning a new language can be a delightful adventure, especially when it comes to exploring culinary terms and dining expressions. Portuguese, spoken widely in countries like Brazil and Portugal, has a rich vocabulary related to food and dining. Here, we explore some essential Portuguese terms and phrases that will help you navigate dining situations and discuss food like a local.
Restaurante (Restaurant)
This is a place where meals are prepared and served to customers.
Vamos jantar fora hoje à noite, conheço um restaurante excelente.
Cardápio (Menu)
A list of dishes and beverages offered at a restaurant.
Você já escolheu algo do cardápio?
Garçom/Garçonete (Waiter/Waitress)
A person who takes orders and serves food in a restaurant.
O garçom foi muito atencioso durante nosso jantar.
Prato (Dish)
Refers to a specific food preparation served as part of a meal.
Qual é o prato do dia?
Entrada (Appetizer)
A small dish served before the main course to stimulate the appetite.
Para a entrada, recomendo o camarão alho e óleo.
Prato principal (Main course)
The central part of a meal, usually heavier and more substantial than the appetizer.
O prato principal será servido em breve.
Sobremesa (Dessert)
A sweet course served at the end of a meal.
Você tem espaço para uma sobremesa?
Bebida (Beverage)
Any type of drink served with or without a meal.
Qual bebida você gostaria de pedir?
Café (Coffee)
A popular beverage made from roasted coffee beans and hot water.
Vamos tomar um café depois do jantar?
Vinho (Wine)
An alcoholic drink made from fermented grapes.
Este vinho combina muito bem com carne vermelha.
Conta (Bill)
The statement of charges for the meals and drinks consumed at a restaurant.
Você pode trazer a conta, por favor?
Gorjeta (Tip)
A small amount of money given to waitstaff as a token of appreciation for good service.
Incluímos a gorjeta na conta?
Cozinhar (To cook)
The act of preparing food by combining, mixing, and heating ingredients.
Eu adoro cozinhar nos fins de semana.
Receita (Recipe)
A set of instructions for preparing a particular dish, including a list of the ingredients required.
Você pode me enviar a receita daquela torta de limão?
Ingrediente (Ingredient)
Any of the foods or substances that are combined to make a particular dish.
Quais ingredientes são necessários para fazer uma feijoada?
Tempero (Seasoning)
Substances added to food to enhance its flavor.
Este prato precisa de mais tempero.
Forno (Oven)
An appliance used for baking, heating, or drying food.
Pré-aqueça o forno a 180 graus antes de colocar o bolo.
Fogão (Stove)
A device used to cook food by providing heat directly from below.
Tenha cuidado ao usar o fogão, ele está muito quente.
Panela (Pot)
A container, usually rounded, used for cooking food over heat.
Coloque a água para ferver na panela.
Frigideira (Frying pan)
A flat-bottomed pan used for frying, searing, and browning foods.
Vire o bife na frigideira com cuidado.
Colher (Spoon)
A utensil consisting of a small shallow bowl on a handle, used for eating, stirring, and serving food.
Use uma colher para misturar o molho.
Faca (Knife)
A tool with a cutting blade used for slicing and dicing food.
A faca está afiada o suficiente para cortar esses legumes?
Garfo (Fork)
A utensil with several prongs, used for eating or lifting food.
Você pode me passar o garfo, por favor?
Prato (Plate)
A flat dish from which food is eaten.
Por favor, coloque a salada neste prato.
Understanding these terms will undoubtedly enhance your dining experiences in Portuguese-speaking countries. Whether ordering from a menu, cooking a traditional dish, or setting the table, these vocabulary words will be your guide to enjoying the rich culinary traditions of the Portuguese language.
