European Portuguese for Beginners | How to Learn from Zero (5 Easy Steps!)

Listening practise is such an important step in language learning. Tuning your ear to hear where one word ends and the next one starts is a flag that you are at a place where you can truly start to make progress.

How I managed this with Finnish was listening to bands that I liked - I would get the lyrics for a song and listen and try to follow along. Repeat a few hundred times and you can 'suddenly' sing Vieri Vesi Vieri (by Haloo Helsinki) all the way through :D

One downside I did find was that to retrieve a word from memory I sometimes had to sing a whole verse to get to it and I developed a singing tone to my speaking which was counter-productive. Plus you can sometimes pick up phrasing that is only used in song or poetry. It is still a very useful tool tho' and I am saddened that it seems Portugal does not have rich vein of rock music for me to mine :(

Muito obrigado.

Thanks for this latest video of yours - it's given me plenty to think about and decide where I need to focus my attention. It's also triggered a couple of questions.
I'm never happier than when flicking through a book, and I'm most comfortable with paper as my preferred learning medium. Can you recommend a good printed Portuguese-English, English-Portuguese dictionary? Something that would see me through from basic to intermediate/advanced?
Secondly, does the Portuguese Government operate overseas language learning centres? London already benefits from the Goethe-Institut, l'Institut Français and the Instituto Cervantes, all of which provide resources for learning languages, and it made me wonder if the Portuguese Embassy in the UK offered something similar. (Trying to follow your advice and find a community you see!)
Muito obrigado, Simon

1. Writing a mission statement.
2. Finding a community.
3. Focussing on pronunciation
4. Listening practice
5. Grammar

I'm learning so I can have more than transactional conversations with people I see everyday. 🎉

Thanks for teaching us beautiful teacher

Is the "say it out loud" google translate any good for pronunciation in Portugese? (the little speaker button below the written translation)

its been a month since i started learning this language. im excited to see where i go in 2-3 years.

❤

Here's mine: Portuguese study is the key that will open the door to a whole new world of new cultures, and hundreds of millions of Portuguese speakers. I want to fully participate in the community I will live in.

And as James Brown put it, 🪅🎶I'LL FEEL GOOD🎶 🪅(when I can)!

Decidimos aprender uma língua estrangeira. Por razões diferentes. Precisamos de falá-la por causa do trabalho ou da escola, ou “essa língua” soa-nos fantástica. Temos a namorada ou o namorado num país onde o povo fala a língua do nosso interesse? Não é importante, já tomamos, com um grande entusiasmo, a decisão de aprendê-la.
Estamos felizes como se estivéssemos em pé à frente do inicio de uma bela estrada cheia de milagres e surpresas, preparados para dar os primeiros passos em direção a um objetivo divino.
No entanto, logo depois de termos iniciado, percebemos que o nosso caminho era como todos os outros, cheio de curvas, subidas e declives, cruzamentos e lugares perigosos.
No entanto, caro amigo, se já decidiu começar o seu caminho, não fique desencorajado com a minha tagarelice aqui, e não desistas de dar o teu primeiro passo no caminho do teu novo conhecimento. Sem dar esse primeiro passo nunca chegarás à tua meta. Ao chegar a ela pode ser puro orgasmo.

I'm trying to convince my wife to move to Portugal when we retire so I'd like to learn Portuguese so I can fit in as much as possible.

You are a good teacher

This is exceptionally well made. Parabens!

I am moving to Portugal in 2 months and i want to interact with people, find job.

I am learning Portuguese because it's about time!
Both of my parents spoke Portuguese and also my extended family but they did not teach our Baby Boom generation . My grandmother even help start a Portuguese school back in the day.
Now, I'm going to Madeira at the end of the year and I want to have the basics so I can ask for food! Haha
I'm ready!

I’m trying to lean portugués because I want to retire in Portugal

Hi there, don't you think that knowing alphabets and their sounds are more important for beginners?

I like your english and i think you are a great english speaker.

I moved to portugal henec i want to learn Portuguese. Thanks for your lessons all are very helpful....

Thank you so much can you give me you fofebook id ? I need you help

Thank you

the intro is ludicrous - shorter!!

Thankyou
I want to learn because I don't want to be a ignorant English man obrigado

I like to learn this stupid language !

I am learning Portuguese so I can effectively teach and connect with my Portuguese-speaking students. I will feel accomplished and inclusive when I can communicate with them, understanding their needs and cultural perspectives better. This will help in creating a more inclusive and supportive learning environment in our ELL classroom.

So... the's no actual Portuguese, just bullshit promotion for your business.

I want to learn Portuguese cos l want to make new friends when I get to Portugal

😊😊

I am learning Portuguese because i work at the border with Mozambiquans and it’s a challenge communicating with them so that’s why i am learning.

Going to Portugal in few weeks, how much does a tourist really need to know. Is basics ok for first time?

I am learning Portugese so I can communicate with my new girlfriend's family when in Portugal. I will feel accomplished at first when I can understand enough in a conversation.

Oh pa….o portugues do norte do centro e do sul e as ilhas sao muito differentes.
Nao percebo nada do que os algarvios dizem. Never mind os Acorianos.
Laugh.

I am learning Portuguese to be able to successfully teach my Brazilian students the English Language.

I’m learning Portuguese because it sounds so beautiful.

Thanks

more of these videos please. I am learning Portuguese, it is three years now, but I am still struggling to speak. Please help

I have been learning for nearly three years but I am still struggling. Please help.

I am learning Portuguese because our son has a Portuguese girlfriend and her parents do not speak any English.

Hi I like to learn , I have a new Portuguese friend and I'd like to learn the language to get familiar and comfortable with it , and certainly impress him. Lol

Hi ,i love portuguese i see it is simple to speak the language i thought it's necessary to make friendships easily with your people when i travel from Africa to study. I ❤ you'll

I wrote a rather long and personal mission statement, like many here my family spoke Portuguese but did not think it important to teach it to the next generation, it's been a part of my soul missing for decades. Here it is...thanks in advance if you read it. <3 No worries if not, good luck learning Portuguese! <3

My Mission Statement
I commit to my journey of learning Portuguese with courage, patience, and joy. As I fully learn this language, I draw closer to Portugal – to the warmth of hot sand under my feet, sometimes too hot to go barefoot; the inviting scent of fresh-baked bread as I rush to buy the last small loaves too early in the early morning; and the earthy aroma of pine nuts, still warm from the sun as I pull them from cones fallen to the ground. With each word I learn, with each phrase I learn, I reach toward a future where I reclaim my childhood house, filling it with new laughter and love – a place for my family to gather, connect, and feel the heartbeat of this beautiful country. A place where my business can thrive through workshops and retreats that nurture and educate those who join.

Learning Portuguese is my key to unlocking this dream, bridging my past and future, so I can share with my children, family, and friends the taste of golden pastel de nata, sips of aged Ferreira port, the music of guitars, the fado of Amália Rodrigues, and the lively rhythm of late-night dinners filled with stories and song. This journey is meant to be fun, playful, and full of discovery as I dive into this language with curiosity and joy, finding each phrase to be a new doorway to a world that is already part of me.

I remind myself, as Charlemagne said, “To have a second language is to possess a second soul.” With each day of committed practice, I awaken a new part of myself, connecting more deeply to the life I imagine and the Portugal I hold in my heart. Today, and every day, I walk this path with excitement and joy, knowing that everything I need is already within me to achieve my dream.

I am learning because I think I met my wife

Eu quero morar em Portugal 🇵🇹 você é muito linda tia ❤

Excellent, very know your stuff.
Cheers

Bom dia, I am learning Portuguese so that I may converse with my grandchildren, and so that I can integrate with the people there when I relocate. On my first visit I was somewhat frustrated by not being able to communicate well, even in simple situations such as the market or restaurant.

I am learning Portuguese so I can effectively connect with my Portuguese-speaking students

i'm an Italian native speaker, am fluent in French and have fluency in Spanish. Using these bases, I'd like to reach fluency in Portuguese as well.

Why are YOU learning Portuguese? Fill in the gaps and comment below!! I am learning Portuguese so I can __________ I will feel _______ when I can _______________.