Portugal! Our Portuguese Learning Chat with our CoPilot

Cover Image Generated by MS CoPilot Based on the Content of the Article

Portuguese Learning with AI

We're planning visit Lisbon soon and we were looking for some guidance. Basically, we want to learn the Portuguese we need for the situations we expect to be in as tourists. Full disclosure... we are proficient and mostly fluent in Spanish, at least when we don't have to talk about gardening with any degree of intelligence. We learned our Spanish in a city and have to look up the word for rake every time we need to use it... which is infrequent. And we spent a few years of daily DuoLingo lessons to become proficient in French... not, conversational, but we can ask lots of questions, understand most of the responses and we can understand 95% of what we read, even Les Miserables which employs a literary version of the past tense...

So, last evening we started a Portuguese learning conversation with Microsoft CoPilot AI, and we quote CoPilot, an "[Artificial Intelligence] companion designed to provide insights, generate ideas, and enhance productivity" as a warm up. We're sharing the "conversation" with you. We've edited the conversation slightly to make it anonymous and protect identities. At some points in the article we will provide a sidebar comment and it will be enclosed in brackets like this: {}. Enjoy!

Last Night (April 7, 2025)

Prompt: Can you give me 10 useful phrases in Portuguese (Portugal) that will help me learn the basics? I’ll ask for 10 per day and I would like them to be different each day. How do I do that without redundant prompts?

{We specified the Portuguese of Portugal because it's different enough from how they speak in Brazil to make our heads spin.}

Sure, Amerigo! To keep things fresh and productive, here’s how we can manage this seamlessly:

Each day, you can simply ask for "10 new useful Portuguese phrases for today." This keeps the prompt simple and non-redundant.

I’ll ensure I provide unique phrases every time without repetition, and I’ll mix in various basics—like greetings, questions, and polite expressions—to cover different everyday situations.

{You might have to create an account, stay logged in, and keep the browser page open to make this work as described.}

If there’s a specific theme or context you’d like to focus on (e.g., dining, travel, or shopping), you can mention that too, and I’ll tailor the phrases accordingly.

Here’s today’s batch of 10 phrases to get started:

1. Olá! Tudo bem? – Hello! How are you?

2. Por favor. – Please.

3. Obrigado/Obrigada. – Thank you (said by a man/woman).

4. Desculpe. – Excuse me / I’m sorry.

5. Quanto custa? – How much does it cost?

6. Onde fica a estação? – Where is the station?

7. Posso ajudar? – Can I help?

8. Eu não falo muito bem português. – I don’t speak Portuguese very well.

9. Pode falar mais devagar, por favor? – Can you speak more slowly, please?

10. Não entendo. – I don’t understand.

Let me know when you’re ready for the next set—or any tweaks to the focus! You’ve got this. 😊

{We responded immediately, but you could wait until the next day to respond. It all has to do with your level of language learning comfort. As we noted earlier, we are proficient to varying degrees in other Romance Languages. So, while this will be a challenge, it's not daunting us.}

Prompt: How do I pronounce #9?

The phrase "Pode falar mais devagar, por favor?" is pronounced like this:

"Poh-deh fah-LAR maees deh-va-GAR por fah-VOR?"

Here’s a breakdown:

• Pode: Pronounced as "Poh-deh," with a soft "d."

• Falar: "Fah-LAR," with emphasis on the second syllable.

• Mais: "Maees," like "mice," with a slight "s" sound at the end.

• Devagar: "Deh-va-GAR," with a rolled "r" at the end (common in European Portuguese).

• Por favor: "Por fah-VOR," again emphasizing the second syllable in "favor."

Let me know if you'd like me to slow it down further or give you tips on pronunciation practice! 😊

Prompt: Thank you. Ten more please.

You're welcome, Amerigo! Here are 10 more Portuguese phrases for today:

1. Bom dia. – Good morning.

2. Boa tarde. – Good afternoon.

3. Boa noite. – Good evening /Good night.

4. Como você se chama? – What’s your name?

5. Eu me chamo... – My name is...

6. De onde você é? – Where are you from?

7. Eu sou dos Estados Unidos. – I’m from the United States.

8. Pode me ajudar? – Can you help me?

9. Onde é o banheiro? – Where is the bathroom?

10. Eu preciso de... – I need...

Feel free to let me know if you’d like pronunciations or if there’s a specific context you’d like tomorrow’s phrases to focus on! Até amanhã! (See you tomorrow!) 😊

Next day...

Prompt: Bom dia! How about some restaurant phrases today? 10 for interacting with hosts and servers and 10 typical Portuguese menu offerings.

Bom dia, Amerigo! Let's dive into some Portuguese restaurant phrases and typical menu offerings to prep you for dining out in Portugal.

10 Phrases for Interacting with Hosts and Servers

1. Tem uma mesa para dois, por favor? – Do you have a table for two, please?

2. Posso ver o menu, por favor? – Can I see the menu, please?

3. O que você recomenda? – What do you recommend?

4. Tem opções vegetarianas? – Do you have vegetarian options?

5. Eu gostaria de… – I would like...

6. Pode trazer água sem gás, por favor? – Could you bring still water, please?

7. Qual é o prato do dia? – What is the dish of the day?

8. Está pronto para pedir? – Are you ready to order? (Also used by servers to prompt you.)

9. Pode trazer a conta, por favor? – Could you bring the bill, please?

10. Foi tudo maravilhoso, obrigado/obrigada! – Everything was wonderful, thank you!

    
    

    {If you are learning a language that has genders like Portuguese, women will answer differently than men when saying things like thank you. In Portuguese, a man will say "obrigado" and women will say "obrigada."}

10 Typical Portuguese Menu Offerings

1. Bacalhau à Brás – Shredded codfish with onions, potatoes, and eggs.

2. Frango Piri-Piri – Spicy grilled chicken.

3. Arroz de Marisco – Seafood rice, similar to paella but creamier.

4. Caldo Verde – Traditional soup made with kale, potatoes, and chouriço sausage.

5. Sardinhas Assadas – Grilled sardines, often served with a simple salad.

6. Carne de Porco à Alentejana – Pork and clams in a flavorful sauce.

7. Polvo à Lagareiro – Octopus baked with olive oil, garlic, and potatoes.

8. Pastéis de Bacalhau – Fried codfish cakes.

9. Bifana – Pork sandwich with garlic and spices.

10. Arroz Doce – Creamy rice pudding, topped with cinnamon.

If you'd like me to break down pronunciations or focus on other dining-related situations tomorrow, just let me know. Bom apetite, and I hope these phrases and dishes add to your cultural adventure! 😊

{Here we digressed as we fell prey to our curiosity about culinary adventures. Sampling local cuisine really excites us. And we return home trying to replicate our favorites.}

Prompt: Yum! can you describe the Bifana and the Caldo Verde in greater detail?

Absolutely, Amerigo! Let’s dive deeper into the delicious details of these iconic Portuguese dishes:

Bifana

The Bifana is a simple yet incredibly flavorful pork sandwich, beloved across Portugal. The pork is thinly sliced or pounded flat, then marinated in a blend of garlic, white wine, paprika, and sometimes bay leaves. After marinating, the meat is sautéed in its own juices until tender and infused with the rich, aromatic flavors of the marinade.

It's typically served on a fresh, crusty Portuguese roll, which absorbs some of the savory juices. While the classic version is plain, you’ll often find variations where spicy mustard or a tangy piri-piri sauce is added for a kick. Pair it with a cold beer or some fries, and you have a simple yet satisfying street-food meal that’s quintessentially Portuguese.

Caldo Verde

Caldo Verde is the quintessential comfort food and one of Portugal’s most famous soups. Its name translates to “green broth,” which comes from the vibrant color of finely sliced kale or collard greens (usually a specific Portuguese variety called "couve galega"). The base of the soup is a creamy blend of potatoes, onions, and garlic, which are slowly cooked until soft and then pureed into a velvety texture.

The greens are added toward the end of cooking to retain their color and slight crunch. A few slices of chouriço (Portuguese smoked sausage) are often laid on top, adding a smoky depth to the flavor. It’s served with a drizzle of olive oil and accompanied by slices of crusty bread for dipping.

Both dishes are not only delicious but also carry the warmth of Portuguese hospitality and tradition. If you ever try them, you’ll be enjoying a true taste of Portugal! Let me know if you’re curious about other dishes or their stories!

{This is clearly taking a slight turn away from language learning. 😆}

Prompt: What is the most popular beer among locals in Lisbon and how do I order a draft beer?

In Lisbon, two beers dominate the scene: Super Bock and Sagres. These are the most popular choices among locals, with Super Bock being slightly more favored for its richer flavor, while Sagres is known for its crisp and refreshing taste. Both are widely available in bars, restaurants, and cafés throughout the city.

To order a draft beer in Lisbon, you’ll want to use the term "imperial" (pronounced "eem-peh-ree-AL"), which refers to a 20cl glass of draft beer. Here’s how you can order:

"Uma imperial, por favor." – One draft beer, please.

If you’re feeling extra thirsty, you can ask for a larger size:

"Uma caneca, por favor." – A mug of beer, please (50cl).

Enjoy your beer with a hearty "Saúde!" (Cheers!) when it arrives. Let me know if you'd like tips on pairing beer with Portuguese dishes! 🍻

Prompt: Is caneca pronounced kahn-A-ka?

Not quite, Amerigo! The correct pronunciation of "caneca" is closer to kah-NEH-kah. Here's the breakdown:

• ca: Pronounced as "kah," with a soft "a" sound.

• ne: Pronounced as "neh," with the "e" sounding like in "net."

• ca: Again, "kah," similar to the first syllable.

The stress is on the second syllable: kah-NEH-kah. Let me know if you'd like help with more pronunciations! Saúde! 🍻

{We think we actually had this right, but didn't know precisely how to write phonetically. It's always worth checking. We don't know everything...}

Are there specific rules for pronouncing Portuguese words?

Yes, Portuguese pronunciation has its own unique rules and patterns, which can be tricky at first but are fascinating to learn! Here are some key principles to keep in mind, particularly for European Portuguese (Portugal):

1. Stress and Accent Marks

• Portuguese words often emphasize the second-to-last syllable, unless there's an accent mark, which tells you where to place the stress:

  • á, é, í, ó, ú: Indicate stressed vowels (e.g., "café" – stress on the last syllable).

  • â, ê, ô: Represent closed vowels with a slightly tighter sound (e.g., "pêra").

    
    

2. Nasal Sounds

• Vowels followed by "m," "n," or a tilde (~) have a nasalized sound. Examples:

  • "Sim" (Yes) → Pronounced like "see-n."

  • "Coração" (Heart) → Pronounced "koh-rah-sow~."

    
    

3. Silent Letters

• The "h" is silent (e.g., "homem" – pronounced "OH-men").

• The "u" after "q" or "g" is often silent (e.g., "quarto" – pronounced "KWAR-too").

4. The Letter "R"

• "R" at the beginning of a word is rolled or guttural (e.g., "Rio" – pronounced "HEE-oo").

• In the middle of a word, it can sound softer depending on the region.

5. The Letter "S"

• At the end of a word or before certain consonants, "s" often sounds like "sh":

  • "Portugueses" → Pronounced "Portoo-geh-zesh."

6. Consonant Combinations

• "lh" sounds like the "lli" in "million" (e.g., "olho" – pronounced "OH-lyoo").

• "nh" sounds like the "ny" in "canyon" (e.g., "ninho" – pronounced "NEE-nyoo").

7. Diphthongs

• Portuguese has lots of diphthongs (two vowels combined into one syllable), like:

  • "oi" in "coisa" (Thing) → Pronounced "KOY-sah."

8. Intonation

• Portuguese is a highly melodic language, with a natural rise and fall in sentences. Pay attention to how native speakers flow when speaking.

Would you like me to provide pronunciation examples for specific words or phrases? Practice makes perfect! 😊

{With CoPilot you can click the microphone icon at any point to start having a verbal interaction. We did this with our limited Portuguese. It seems that CoPilot in some cases pronounces things a little more like Brazilian Portuguese which is different enough to cause a communication breakdown in Portugal - we guess - So, we'll stick with the written guidance for now. We're also following a Portuguese language account on Instagram and are getting a decent feel for the pronunciation there.}

We paused the conversation here because we didn't want to overdo it. We'll learn more tomorrow and each day as we prepare for our trip. We like to do what we can to use the local language in some way while we are traveling. It's polite and well received, even if they respond to you in english. Usually this happens because they detect that their language is not you first language and they see an opportunity to practice their English. Let them!

Whether you're planning a trip to Portugal or some other destination, using AI tools like Microsoft CoPilot can be a fun and easy way to build some basic language skills before you go. And, unlike apps like DuoLingo, you can organically tailor what you learn based on the needs you expect to have when traveling. We appreciate DuoLingo because we became fairly functional in French with DuoLingo over three years of daily exercises. The problem is that after three years we still found ourselves at a loss when shopping or dining in Paris. So, we think AI can help resolve or enhance things when other language learning situations fall short.