Portuguese · Real conversations

Calls and messages: useful Portuguese phrases

Handle a short call and confirm a message.

Start with the essentials

Start with the essential words and expressions below. Next, learn the five specific phrases in the reference table. Finally, read both sides of the exchange and try the linked rehearsal before revealing its sample replies. This collection connects to the broader vocabulary topic.

Phone
o telefone
Phone
to call (phone)
ligar (para)
to call (phone)
to hear
ouvir
to hear
to listen
escutar
to listen

Make the conversation more specific

Useful Portuguese expressions for calls and messages
What you want to say	Portuguese
Phone	o telefone Phone
to call (phone)	ligar (para) to call (phone)
to hear	ouvir to hear
to listen	escutar to listen
Can you hear me?	Você está me ouvindo? Show English translation Can you hear me?
The connection is breaking up.	A ligação está cortando. Show English translation The connection is breaking up.
Could you leave a message?	Você poderia deixar uma mensagem? Show English translation Could you leave a message?
I'll call you back.	Eu te ligo de volta. Show English translation I'll call you back.
Did you get my message?	Você recebeu minha mensagem? Show English translation Did you get my message?

Read the other side of the exchange

Partner
Alô, você está aí?
Hello, are you there?
You
Você está me ouvindo?
Can you hear me?
Partner
Consigo ouvir você, mas o som não está claro.
I can hear you, but the sound isn't clear.
You
A ligação está cortando.
The connection is breaking up.

Calls and messages in other languages

A note on speaking Portuguese

These guides use Brazilian Portuguese. Você is a common everyday address; senhor or senhora may fit a more formal interaction. Eu gostaria and poderia can soften requests without making them complicated.

Keep the accents and nasal spellings, such as não and conexão. Portuguese in Portugal may use different everyday vocabulary or pronouns. The examples aim for broadly understandable Brazilian wording.