🇧🇷 Portuguese phrases

How to Say "Hello" in Portuguese

The SPAIKING TeamJuly 27, 2026
Olá
"Hello" in Portuguese · say it like oh-lah

The most natural way to say "Hello" in Portuguese is Olá. Tap the speaker above to hear it, then say it back out loud. That is the fastest way to make it stick.

Other ways to say it

Oi
more casual and commonly used among friends
Alô
used mainly when answering the phone

When to use it

Use 'Olá' when greeting someone in person or in writing. It is appropriate in both formal and informal situations. 'Oi' is more casual and often used among friends. 'Alô' is specific to phone conversations.

Say it out loud, get corrected

Reading it is not the same as saying it. Practice "Hello" and thousands more with an AI coach that listens.

Examples in Portuguese

PortugueseEnglish
Olá, como você está?Hello, how are you?
Oi, tudo bem?Hi, everything good?
Common mistake
Some learners may confuse 'Olá' with 'Oi', thinking they are interchangeable in all contexts.

The fastest way to remember it

Vocabulary you only read fades fast. Vocabulary you say out loud sticks. Hear Olá, repeat it a few times, then use it in a real sentence. SPAIKING lets you practice exactly that, speaking Portuguese with a coach that corrects your pronunciation in real time. You can start with two free conversations.

Frequently asked questions

Is 'Oi' too informal to use in a business setting?

It can be used in casual business environments, but 'Olá' is safer for formal situations.

Learn Portuguese by speaking it

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