Below is a list of 50 essential European Portuguese words for beginners, covering greetings, numbers, basic verbs, and other useful terms. Each word includes its English translation and an approximate pronunciation guide to help you get started. European Portuguese pronunciation can be tricky, so I’ve used simplified phonetics (based on English sounds where possible). For precise practice, consider pairing this with audio resources like Practice Portuguese.

Notes on Pronunciation

• Nasal Sounds: Words like “pão” (not listed here) or “bom” have a nasal quality. Try pronouncing through your nose slightly, like saying “bong” with a soft “n” sound.
• Stress: Stress is usually on the second-to-last syllable unless marked by an accent (e.g., “café” stresses the last syllable).
• “R” Sound: In European Portuguese, the “r” at the start of words (e.g., “rua”) is often a guttural sound, like a soft French “r.” Practice with audio for accuracy.
• Gender: Some words change based on gender (e.g., “obrigado” for men, “obrigada” for women). Pay attention to masculine/feminine forms.

How to Use This List

• Practice Daily: Aim to learn 5-10 words per day. Use flashcards (e.g., write them out or use Memrise) and review with spaced repetition.
• With Grok: Ask me to quiz you: “Quiz me on 10 words from this list in European Portuguese.” Or request example sentences: “Use ‘bom,’ ‘casa,’ and ‘comer’ in simple European Portuguese sentences.”
• Audio Support: Pair this with apps like Practice Portuguese or Pimsleur to hear native pronunciations, as my phonetic guides are approximate.
• Contextual Learning: Group words by theme (e.g., greetings, numbers) and practice them in sentences or dialogues.

Want to dive deeper? Ask me: “Create a quiz on these words” or “Show me how to use 5 of these words in a short conversation.”