Portuguese · People & Family

"Mr." in Portuguese: senhor (o senhor Silva)

senhor (o senhor Silva)

Say it: sehn-YOHRnoun/se.ˈɲoʁ/

Mr. in Portuguese is senhor, as in o senhor Silva. Say Bom dia, senhor or O senhor pode assinar? Using o senhor as “you” is polite with older people.

Reception desk

O senhor Silva fez o check-in?
Has Mr. Silva already checked in?
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How to pronounce senhor (o senhor Silva)

Say it

sehn-YOHR

/se.ˈɲoʁ/

sehn-YOHR

"Mr." in Portuguese: quick reference

PortugueseEnglish
senhorMr. / sir

Title and address.

o senhor SilvaMr. Silva

With a surname.

sim, senhoryes, sir

Service reply.

Sr.Mr. (abbreviation)

Writing.

How to use senhor (o senhor Silva) in real life

  1. 1Reception desk

    O senhor Silva fez o check-in?

    Has Mr. Silva already checked in?

    Title + surname.

  2. 2Helping an older customer

    O senhor prefere sentar perto da janela?

    Would you (sir) prefer to sit near the window?

    Polite você substitute.

  3. 3Delivery

    Pacote para o senhor Mendes na portaria.

    Package for Mr. Mendes at the front desk.

    Name on parcel.

Mistakes English speakers make with senhor (o senhor Silva)

Incorrect: Mr. Silva chegou.

Correct: O senhor Silva chegou.

Use senhor, not English Mr.

Incorrect: Senhor a Silva (for a man).

Correct: Senhor Silva.

Senhor is masculine; senhora is Mrs.

Good to know

Senhor works as Mr. and as a respectful “you.” With peers, Brazilians lean on você; with elders or formal service, o senhor sounds warmer and more polite than a bald você.

Try it in a ChatPal conversation

Calling a guest to the lobby

  1. ChatPal

    O senhor Rocha está no lobby?

    Is Mr. Rocha in the lobby?

  2. You

    Sim bom dia, senhor Rocha.

    Yes — good morning, Mr. Rocha.

  3. ChatPal

    O senhor pode vir até o balcão, por favor?

    Sir, can you come to the counter, please?

  4. You

    Ele vem.

    He’s coming.

This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.

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"Mr." in other languages

FAQ

Common questions about "Mr." in Portuguese

How do I say Mr.?

Senhor / o senhor + surname.

Mr. Silva?

O senhor Silva.

Polite you?

O senhor…?

Abbreviation?

Sr.

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