Portuguese · Food & Drink

"Waiter" in Portuguese: garçom

o garçom

Say it: gar-SOHNGmasculine · o garçomnoun/ɡaʁ.ˈsõ/

Note: female: a garçonete; PT-PT: o empregado de mesa

Waiter in Portuguese (Brazil) is o garçom. A waitress is a garçonete. In European Portuguese people often say o empregado de mesa.

Order

O garçom anotou o pedido sem pressa.
The waiter wrote down the order without rushing.
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How to pronounce garçom

Say it

gar-SOHNG

/ɡaʁ.ˈsõ/

gar-SOHNG

"Waiter" in Portuguese: quick reference

PortugueseEnglish
o garçomthe waiter

BR masculine.

a garçonetethe waitress

Feminine.

chamar o garçomto call the waiter

Service.

o empregado de mesawaiter (PT-PT)

European Portuguese.

How to use garçom in real life

  1. 1Order

    O garçom anotou o pedido sem pressa.

    The waiter wrote down the order without rushing.

    Service.

  2. 2Water

    O garçom trouxe mais água gelada na hora.

    The waiter brought more cold water right away.

    Service.

  3. 3Tip

    Deixamos um agradecimento pro garçom.

    We left a thank-you for the waiter.

    Politeness.

Mistakes English speakers make with garçom

Incorrect: Chamei o waiter.

Correct: Chamei o garçom.

In Brazil say garçom.

Incorrect: A garçom trouxe o prato.

Correct: A garçonete trouxe o prato. / O garçom trouxe o prato.

Feminine form is garçonete.

Good to know

Garçom is classic Brazilian restaurant speech; garçonete is the usual feminine. European Portuguese empregado de mesa is the PT-PT label. Soft wave and Com licença get attention without snapping fingers.

Try it in a ChatPal conversation

Asking for the check

  1. ChatPal

    Você viu o garçom passando?

    Did you see the waiter go by?

  2. You

    Vi. O garçom está perto do bar.

    Yes. The waiter is near the bar.

  3. ChatPal

    Vou chamar o garçom pra conta.

    I’ll call the waiter for the bill.

  4. You

    Peço a sobremesa junto se der.

    I’ll order dessert too if it works.

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

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"Waiter" in other languages

FAQ

Common questions about "Waiter" in Portuguese

Waiter (BR)?

O garçom.

Waitress?

A garçonete.

PT-PT?

O empregado de mesa.

Call the waiter?

Chamar o garçom.

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