Which Portuguese phrases matter most here?

“Quem é o último?” (Who is last); “Sou eu a seguir?” (Am I next); “O que deseja?” (What would you like). The full list is above.

Can I hear how they sound?

Not yet: this page has no recordings so far. Each phrase comes with its meaning in English.

How can I practise this conversation?

Press “Start the conversation” above to play it through and choose your replies, with a note on why some fit better in Portugal. Frasa, an iPhone app, lets you save these phrases and rehearse them out loud.

Portuguese phrases for buying fruit and veg at the market in Portugal

At a busy stall there is often no ticket: ask “Quem é o último?” and go after that person. When the seller says “O que deseja?”, ask “Quanto custa o quilo?” and order: “Um quilo de batatas, por favor”. Say “Um pouco menos, por favor” if it’s too much, and “Sem saco, por favor” if you have your own bag.

Try it · about two minutes

At a busy market stall you work out who’s last in the queue, then buy fruit and vegetables by the kilo.

You choose what to say back, and Frasa tells you why it works.

How does the conversation usually go?

You reach a busy fruit and vegetable stall. Several people are waiting, but there is no clear line.
You
Quem é o último?
Who is last?
Stallholder
O que deseja?
What would you like?
You
Quanto custa o quilo?
How much per kilo?
Stallholder
São dois euros o quilo.
It’s two euros a kilo.
You
Um quilo de batatas, por favor.
One kilo of potatoes, please.
Stallholder
Dá um pouco mais de um quilo. Pode ser?
It’s a bit over a kilo. Is that all right?
You
Pode ser, obrigado.
That’s fine, thank you.
Stallholder
Mais alguma coisa?
Anything else?
You
Tem tomates?
Do you have tomatoes?
Stallholder
Quer saco?
Do you want a bag?
You
Sem saco, por favor.
No bag, please.

Which Portuguese phrases do you need?

Quem é o último?
Who is last?
Sou eu a seguir?
Am I next?
O que deseja?
What would you like?
Quanto custam as maçãs?
How much are the apples?
Quanto custa o quilo?
How much per kilo?
Um quilo de batatas, por favor.
One kilo of potatoes, please.
Dá um pouco mais de um quilo. Pode ser?
It’s a bit over a kilo. Is that all right?
Um pouco menos, por favor.
A bit less, please.
Posso provar?
Can I taste?
Sem saco, por favor.
No bag, please.

What is worth knowing in Portugal?

Joining the queue

1
Ask who is last, and remember that person.
Quem é o último?Who is last?
2
When they are served, check it’s your turn.
Sou eu a seguir?Am I next?
3
Order by weight; the seller weighs it and tells you the total.

By the kilo

Fruit and vegetables are priced by the kilo, and a little over is normal. If it’s too much, just say so.

Um pouco menos, por favor.

A bit less, please.

Choosing and tasting

At some stalls the seller picks and bags the fruit for you. It is fine to ask to choose yourself, or to taste first.

Posso escolher eu?

Can I choose myself?

Questions about this situation

Which Portuguese phrases matter most here?: “Quem é o último?” (Who is last); “Sou eu a seguir?” (Am I next); “O que deseja?” (What would you like). The full list is above.
Can I hear how they sound?: Not yet: this page has no recordings so far. Each phrase comes with its meaning in English.
How can I practise this conversation?: Press “Start the conversation” above to play it through and choose your replies, with a note on why some fit better in Portugal. Frasa, an iPhone app, lets you save these phrases and rehearse them out loud.

Related situations in Portuguese

All situations in Portuguese

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AI-generated. May be inaccurate.