Portuguese for transport: Uber, taxis, buses and directions
Uber is the default in most Brazilian cities, but buses and taxis still come up. These are the phrases for pickups, directions, and the words that look almost like their English twins and mean something else.
Ordering a ride
Estou esperando na frente do prédio.
I'm waiting in front of the building.
Estou de camisa azul.
I'm wearing a blue shirt.
Quanto tempo até você chegar?
How long until you arrive?
Dá para esperar dois minutos?
Could you wait two minutes?
Essa corrida está gratuita hoje?
Is this a free ride today?
gratuito/gratuita means free of charge, with no negative sense.
Giving directions
Me leva para esse endereço, por favor.
Please take me to this address.
Vira à direita aqui.
Turn right here.
Para aqui, por favor.
Stop here, please.
O trânsito está ruim agora?
Is traffic bad right now?
Na verdade, eu preciso ir em outro lugar primeiro.
Actually, I need to go somewhere else first.
atualmente means currently, not actually. Actually is na verdade.
Eu não aguento mesmo esse trânsito.
I can't really put up with this traffic.
suportar/aguentar means to endure, not to support. To support someone is apoiar.
Buses and stops
Qual ônibus vai para o centro?
Which bus goes downtown?
Onde é o ponto de ônibus?
Where's the bus stop?
Essa é a parada do aeroporto?
Is this the stop for the airport?
parada means stop, not parade. A parade is desfile.
Perdi meu ponto.
I missed my stop.
Preciso validar a passagem?
Do I need to validate the ticket?
False friend traps
gratuito looks like gratuitous, but means free of charge
Entrada gratuita just means free admission, with none of the negative connotation of the English gratuitous.
atualmente looks like actually, but means currently, presently
Atualmente moro em São Paulo means I currently live in São Paulo. Actually, in the sense of in fact, is na verdade.
suportar looks like support, but means to endure, put up with
Não suporto trânsito means I can't stand traffic. To support a person or cause is apoiar.
parada looks like parade, but means stop (bus stop)
Ponto or parada de ônibus is a bus stop. A parade is desfile.
eventualmente looks like eventually, but means occasionally, possibly
Eventualmente chove aqui means it occasionally rains here. Eventually, in the end, is no final or com o tempo.
FAQ
Common questions
Short answers to what people ask most about this situation.
Is Uber cheaper than taxis in Brazil?
Usually, and it removes the need to negotiate a fare upfront, which street taxis in some cities still expect if the meter (taxímetro) isn't used.
Do I need cash for the bus?
Most cities use a rechargeable transit card, like the Bilhete Único in São Paulo or the RioCard in Rio, that you top up in advance. Cash is accepted on some lines, but a card is faster and often required at rush hour.
How do I ask the driver to stop?
On city buses, say Vou descer aqui (I'm getting off here) to the driver, or press the stop button. There's no need to phrase it more formally.
Is it normal to chat with the Uber or taxi driver?
Very common, and drivers often ask where you're from. A short Sou dos Estados Unidos, estou de férias (I'm from the US, on vacation) usually opens a friendly conversation.