Portuguese · Greetings & Essentials
"Only" in Portuguese: só / somente
só / somente
Only in Portuguese is só or somente. Say Só um minuto and Somente cartão. Either form counts; só is more casual spoken Brazilian.
Ordering
Quero só um café sem açúcar.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce só / somente
Say it
soh / soh-MEN-chee
/ˈsɔ/, /so.ˈmẽ.tʃi/
soh / soh-MEN-chee
"Only" in Portuguese: quick reference
| Portuguese | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| só | only / just Casual everyday. | Casual everyday. |
| somente | only Slightly more formal. | Slightly more formal. |
| só isso | just that / that’s all Closing a request. | Closing a request. |
| apenas | only / merely Related synonym. | Related synonym. |
How to use só / somente in real life
- 1Ordering
Quero só um café sem açúcar.
I just want one coffee with no sugar.
Só before the noun phrase.
- 2Payment rule
Aqui aceitam somente Pix e cartão.
Here they only accept Pix and card.
Somente variant.
- 3Time check
Espera só dois minutos na porta.
Wait just two minutes at the door.
Softening wait.
Mistakes English speakers make with só / somente
Incorrect: Quero only água.
Correct: Quero só água.
Use só / somente.
Incorrect: Somente eu quero ir? (word order for “I only want…”).
Correct: Eu quero só ir. / Quero somente isso.
Place só/somente next to what you limit.
Good to know
Só is everywhere in spoken Brazilian Portuguese. Somente shows up more in writing, rules, and careful speech. Só isso? at a counter means “is that all?”
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
At a juice bar
ChatPal
Você quer só suco ou também um lanche?
Do you want only juice or a snack too?
You
Só suco. Sem gelo.
Only juice. No ice.
ChatPal
Beleza. Eu também quero somente suco.
Okay. I also want only juice.
You
Perfeito — só isso.
Perfect — that’s all.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Only" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Only" in Portuguese
Only / just?
Só or somente.
Which is more casual?
Só.
That’s all?
Só isso.
Only card?
Somente cartão. / Só cartão.
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
