Portuguese · Travel & Getting Around
"Bus" in Portuguese: ônibus
o ônibus
Note: PT-PT: o autocarro
Bus in Brazilian Portuguese is o ônibus. In Portugal people say o autocarro. Catch one with pegar o ônibus and ask Tem ônibus para o centro?
Asking directions
Qual ônibus vai para a paulista?Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce ônibus
Say it
OH-nee-boos
/ˈo.ni.bus/
OH-nee-boos. Stress oh. The accent marks the first syllable.
"Bus" in Portuguese: quick reference
| Portuguese | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| o ônibus | bus (Brazil) Default Brazilian word. | Default Brazilian word. |
| o autocarro | bus (Portugal) Default European Portuguese word. | Default European Portuguese word. |
| ponto de ônibus | bus stop Where you wait in Brazil. | Where you wait in Brazil. |
| passar o cartão | to tap your transit card Boarding action in many cities. | Boarding action in many cities. |
| ônibus executivo | coach / executive bus More comfortable intercity buses. | More comfortable intercity buses. |
How to use ônibus in real life
- 1Asking directions
Qual ônibus vai para a paulista?
Which bus goes to Avenida Paulista?
Qual ônibus… is a core city question.
- 2At the stop
O ônibus atrasou, mas já aparece no app.
The bus is late, but it already shows in the app.
City apps track ônibus in many Brazilian capitals.
- 3Portugal tip
No Porto você pede o autocarro, não o ônibus.
In Porto you ask for the autocarro, not the ônibus.
PT-PT vocabulary swap.
Mistakes English speakers make with ônibus
Incorrect: O onibus (missing accent)
Correct: O ônibus
Brazilian spelling needs the accent: ônibus.
Incorrect: Vou de bus.
Correct: Vou de ônibus.
Use ônibus in Brazilian Portuguese.
Good to know
City buses are everyday transport across Brazil, often boarded with a cartão. Long-distance coaches are a major way to cross states. In Portugal, signs and apps will say autocarro.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Catching a city bus with a friend
ChatPal
O ônibus 917 para aqui, pode crer.
Bus 917 stops here, trust me.
You
Beleza. Eu nunca peguei esse ônibus.
Cool. I've never taken that bus.
ChatPal
É direto. O ônibus sobe a avenida toda.
It's direct. The bus goes all the way up the avenue.
You
Perfeito. Prefiro ônibus a ficar no trânsito de carro.
Perfect. I prefer the bus to sitting in car traffic.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Bus" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Bus" in Portuguese
What do people say in Portugal?
Autocarro. Ônibus sounds Brazilian there.
How do I say bus stop?
Ponto de ônibus in Brazil; paragem de autocarro in Portugal.
How do I ask which bus to take?
Qual ônibus vai para…?
Is ônibus masculine?
Yes: o ônibus, um ônibus lotado.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
- Step 1: See it in context
- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
