Talk Portuguese - Transport
How to get around by public transport
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Public transport
Different modes of public transport in a city and buying a bus ticket in Lisbon.
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Train tickets
Buying a train ticket from Lisbon to Oporto in the north of Portugal.
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Tickets and times
Buying boat tickets in the Douro valley in northern Portugal and asking the time of the last boat back. There's also a description of the world-famous 'Solar de Mateus', a fine example of Portuguese Baroque architecture near the river Douro.
- PortuguêsEnglish
- Há um /uma ...?Is there a ...?
- um autocarro *a bus
- um comboioa train
- um carro *a car
- um táxia taxi
- um barco *a boat
- um aviãoa plane
- uma camionetaa coach
- de autocarro *by bus
- de comboioby train
- de eléctricoby tram
* Pronunciation guide
- um autocarro, um carro, um barco
A single r at the beginning or a double r in the middle of a word is gently rolled.
- PortuguêsEnglish
- um bilhetea ticket / one ticket
- Queria um bilhete para o Porto, se faz favorI would like a ticket for Oporto, please
- para…for… / to... (+ destination)
- de idaone way / single
- de ida e voltareturn ticket
- Queria dois bilhetes de ida e voltaI'd like two return tickets
- Queria um de segunda classeI'd like a second class ticket
- Quanto é?How much is it?
- De que linha parte o comboio?From which platform does the train leave?
- Da linha número umFrom platform one
- Há um autocarro para a Costa da Caparica?Is there a bus to Costa da Caparica?
- Tem às dez horasThere is one at ten o’clock
- Quanto tempo leva para chegar?How long does it take?
- Cerca de quarenta minutosAround forty minutes
- Tenho de mudar?Do I have to change?
- Não, não tem de mudarNo, you don't have to change
- É directoIt's direct
- A que horas parte o último barco de volta?What time is the last boat back?
- Às dezoito horasAt 18:00 (6pm)
- Pode repetir, por favor? **Can you repeat that, please?
- Boa viagemHave a nice trip
- De nadaYou're welcome
** Grammar notes
- Posso/pode/podemos
These are all forms of the verb poder, to be able to in the present tense.
They are also very useful as key phrases in the question form: Posso? - May I?
Pode? - Can you? and
Podemos? - May we?
They’re usually followed by a verb:
Pode repetir, por favor? - Can you repeat that please?
Posso falar com o Senhor ...? - May I speak to Mr…?
In Lisbon, you may find some unusual ways of getting around, for example by tram, O eléctrico or the funicular, O elevador. In the north, trains take you on remarkable journeys through high mountain passes and you can also enjoy boat trips on the major rivers.
Step-by-Step guide
Useful resources
Transcript:
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BBC Languages links
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