Olá, como vai?
字面意思: Hello, how goes it?
Use this as your default greeting for anyone you don't know intimately to stay polite and friendly.
15秒了解
- The standard 'Hello, how are you?' for all Portuguese speakers.
- Perfect for shops, hotels, and meeting new people politely.
- Safe, reliable, and works in both Brazil and Portugal.
意思
This is the classic, friendly way to say 'Hello, how are you?' in Portuguese. It is the gold standard for starting a conversation with almost anyone you meet.
关键例句
3 / 6Entering a local bakery
Olá, como vai? Queria um café, por favor.
Hello, how are you? I would like a coffee, please.
Meeting a new colleague
Olá, como vai? Sou o novo designer.
Hello, how are you? I am the new designer.
Texting a distant acquaintance
Olá, como vai? Faz tempo que não nos falamos!
Hello, how are you? It's been a long time since we talked!
文化背景
This phrase reflects the inherently social and polite nature of Lusophone cultures. Unlike some cultures that favor a quick 'Hi', Portuguese speakers often prefer this two-part greeting to establish a connection. It is a timeless expression that hasn't changed in decades, surviving every slang trend.
The 'Tudo Bem' Loop
In Brazil, you can often just say `Tudo bem?` and they will answer `Tudo bem`. It's a closed loop of positivity!
Don't overthink 'Vai'
The word `vai` comes from the verb 'to go', but don't worry—nobody is asking where you are physically going.
15秒了解
- The standard 'Hello, how are you?' for all Portuguese speakers.
- Perfect for shops, hotels, and meeting new people politely.
- Safe, reliable, and works in both Brazil and Portugal.
What It Means
Olá, como vai? is your ultimate icebreaker in the Portuguese-speaking world. It consists of Olá (Hello) and como vai? (how goes it/how are you?). It is warm, polite, and universally understood. Think of it as the 'Swiss Army knife' of greetings. It works in Lisbon, Rio de Janeiro, and Luanda without missing a beat.
How To Use It
Simply drop this phrase when you first see someone. You can use it as a complete sentence. Usually, the other person will smile and say Tudo bem (Everything is fine). If you want to sound extra smooth, keep your voice rising slightly at the end. It shows you actually care about the answer. Don't worry about the grammar too much yet. Just treat it as one single unit of friendliness.
When To Use It
You can use this phrase from sunrise to sunset. Use it when walking into a small boutique. Use it when meeting your partner's parents for the first time. It is perfect for professional emails too. If you are at a hotel check-in, this phrase is your best friend. It signals that you are polite and making an effort. It is the safest bet for any A1 learner.
When NOT To Use It
Avoid using this with your absolute best friends in a loud bar. It might sound a bit too 'textbook' or stiff there. In those cases, E aí? is much more natural. Also, do not use it if you are in a massive rush. In Portugal, people might actually stop to tell you how they are! If you just want to acknowledge someone while running, a simple Olá or Oi suffices.
Cultural Background
Portuguese culture places a high value on initial politeness. Jumping straight into business without a greeting is considered quite rude. In Brazil, this phrase often leads into a longer chat about life. In Portugal, it is a respectful social lubricant. It reflects the 'soft' nature of the language. It has been the standard greeting for generations. It bridges the gap between strangers and acquaintances beautifully.
Common Variations
You will often hear Olá, tudo bem? which is slightly more casual. In Brazil, Oi, como vai? is extremely common. Some people might just say Como vai você? to be more specific. If you want to be very formal, you might add a title. For example: Olá, como vai o senhor?. But for 90% of your life, the standard version is perfect.
使用说明
This phrase sits right in the middle of the formality scale. It's never too rude and rarely too stiff, making it the safest choice for learners.
The 'Tudo Bem' Loop
In Brazil, you can often just say `Tudo bem?` and they will answer `Tudo bem`. It's a closed loop of positivity!
Don't overthink 'Vai'
The word `vai` comes from the verb 'to go', but don't worry—nobody is asking where you are physically going.
The Smile Factor
In Portuguese culture, a greeting without a smile is like a cake without sugar. Always pair this phrase with a friendly face.
例句
6Olá, como vai? Queria um café, por favor.
Hello, how are you? I would like a coffee, please.
A perfect way to start a transaction politely.
Olá, como vai? Sou o novo designer.
Hello, how are you? I am the new designer.
Professional yet warm for a first introduction.
Olá, como vai? Faz tempo que não nos falamos!
Hello, how are you? It's been a long time since we talked!
Good for re-opening a conversation via message.
Olá, Sr. Gato, como vai hoje?
Hello, Mr. Cat, how are you today?
A humorous way to treat a pet like a person.
Olá, como vai? Estou preocupado com você.
Hello, how are you? I am worried about you.
The tone shifts to serious and caring here.
Olá, como vai? É um prazer estar aqui.
Hello, how are you? It is a pleasure to be here.
Fits perfectly in a high-end social setting.
自我测试
Complete the standard greeting.
Olá, ___ vai?
`Como` means 'how', which is essential for asking how someone is doing.
Which word is the most common response to this phrase?
Olá, como vai? — ___, obrigado.
`Tudo bem` (Everything is fine) is the most natural response to being asked how you are.
🎉 得分: /2
视觉学习工具
Formality Scale of Greetings
Friends only
E aí?
Safe for everyone
Olá, como vai?
Elders or superiors
Como vai o senhor?
Where to use Olá, como vai?
At the Doctor
Greeting the staff
Coffee Shop
Ordering a drink
Job Interview
Initial greeting
New Neighbor
Meeting in the hall
常见问题
10 个问题Yes, it is perfectly understood and used in both countries, though Brazilians might use Oi more than Olá.
Absolutely. It is polite and respectful enough for a professional environment.
Olá is slightly more formal/standard, while Oi is very common and casual, especially in Brazil.
Yes, it is polite to pause for a brief Tudo bem or Bem, e você? before continuing.
Yes, it serves the exact same social function as 'how are you' in English.
Yes, though you could also say Boa noite, Olá, como vai? works at any hour.
It is the best phrase for a beginner because it is grammatically simple and always correct.
You can add the person's title, like Olá, como vai a senhora? for an older woman.
Stress the second syllable: oh-LAH. The 'h' sound is silent.
Yes, it is a very standard way to open a semi-formal or friendly professional email.
相关表达
Tudo bem?
Is everything well? (Very common)
Como você está?
How are you? (More direct)
E aí?
What's up? (Informal/Slang)
Prazer em conhecê-lo
Nice to meet you.
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