Markets & Souvenirs

1. Quanto custa isto?

   How much does this cost?

   Usage

   Most basic phrase to ask the price at a market

   Grammar Note

   In Brazil "Quanto custa isso?" is also common. Use isto/isso/aquilo for proximity

2. Dá para negociar o preço?

   Is it possible to negotiate the price?

   Usage

   Colloquially asking whether the price is negotiable

   Grammar Note

   "Dá para + infinitive" colloquially means "it's possible to". Friendlier than "É possível"

3. Me dá por 10 reais?

   Will you give it to me for 10 reais?

   Usage

   Classic counter-offer phrasing in Brazilian markets

   Grammar Note

   Brazilian currency is "real" (plural "reais"). In Portugal use "euros"

4. Faz um desconto se eu levar vários?

   Will you give a discount if I take several?

   Usage

   Asking for a bulk discount

   Grammar Note

   Portuguese uses future subjunctive after "se" (here "levar")

5. Isto é feito à mão?

   Is this handmade?

   Usage

   Asking whether a craft is handmade

   Grammar Note

   "Artesanal" (artisanal) is also common. Brazilian markets are rich in regional crafts

6. De que material é feito?

   What material is it made of?

   Usage

   Asking the material of a craft or garment

   Grammar Note

   Passive uses "ser + past participle". Material expressed with "de" (de madeira = of wood)

7. Pode embrulhar para presente?

   Can you wrap it as a gift?

   Usage

   Requesting gift wrapping

   Grammar Note

   "Embrulhar para presente" is the set phrase. "Papel de presente" = gift paper

8. Onde fica o mercado noturno?

   Where is the night market?

   Usage

   Asking the location of a night market

   Grammar Note

   "Ficar" indicates location (more colloquial than "ser"). Brazilian "feira noturna" works too

9. Pode me dar um recibo?

   Can you give me a receipt?

   Usage

   Requesting a receipt

   Grammar Note

   "Recibo" or "nota fiscal" are common terms; the latter is the official tax receipt

10. Qual é o horário do mercado?

    What are the market's hours?

    Usage

    Asking the market's operating hours

    Grammar Note

    "De + o" contracts to "do". Brazilian "feira livre" (open-air markets) often start very early

11. Estou só olhando, obrigado

    I'm just looking, thanks

    Usage

    Politely declining a vendor's offer

    Grammar Note

    Women say "obrigada". In Portugal: "Estou só a olhar" (infinitive construction)

12. Aceitam cartão?

    Do you accept card?

    Usage

    Checking whether card payment is accepted

    Grammar Note

    In Brazil "Pix" (instant transfer) is widespread. "Aceitam Pix?" is very common

13. É uma lembrança para a minha família

    It's a souvenir for my family

    Usage

    Telling the seller who the souvenir is for

    Grammar Note

    Both "lembrança" (native) and "souvenir" (loanword) are used

14. Conseguem enviar para o exterior?

    Can you ship it abroad?

    Usage

    Checking whether international shipping is offered

    Grammar Note

    "Conseguir" means "to manage/be able to", emphasizing feasibility more than "poder"

15. O que está mais fresco hoje?

    What's the freshest today?

    Usage

    Asking which item is freshest at a food market

    Grammar Note

    "Estar" expresses a temporary state of freshness; "ser fresco" implies a permanent trait

16. O preço é negociável?

    Is the price negotiable?

    Usage

    Directly asking whether the price is negotiable

    Grammar Note

    Suffix "-vel" forms "-able" adjectives (amável = lovable, incrível = incredible)

17. Tem um tamanho menor?

    Do you have a smaller size?

    Usage

    Asking for a smaller size

    Grammar Note

    "Menor" is the comparative of "pequeno". Swap with "maior" for "bigger"

18. Está muito caro

    It's too expensive

    Usage

    Signaling that the offered price is too high

    Grammar Note

    Using "estar" implies a momentary state; "ser caro" would mean inherently expensive

19. o alho

    Garlic

    Usage

    Buy it at a market, or use "sem alho" to have it left out of a dish

20. a cebola

    Onion

    Usage

    Buy it at a market, or use "sem cebola" to have it left out

21. a pimenta malagueta

    Chilli pepper

    Usage

    Fresh chilli or chilli sauce; Portugal and Lusophone Africa usually call it "piri-piri"

22. o coentro

    Coriander (cilantro)

    Usage

    Buy it at a market, or say "sem coentro" if you cannot stand it

23. o gengibre

    Ginger

    Usage

    Buy fresh ginger at a market; the same word in Portugal and Brazil

24. o iogurte

    Yoghurt

    Usage

    Look for it at a market or supermarket; plain unsweetened is "natural"

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