--- title: "Useful Phrases for Tourists in São Tomé and Príncipe" url: https://33travels.com/useful-phrases-for-tourists-in-sao-tome-and-principe/ author: "Lena Marchetti" published: 2026-03-11 updated: 2026-04-06 place: "Sao Tome and Principe" --- # Useful Phrases for Tourists in São Tomé and Príncipe São Tomé and Príncipe is a pair of islands where simple greetings and a few local words make connections easier — from market stalls to beachside cafés and small guesthouses. Picking up phrases used by residents helps with directions, ordering food, and showing respect for local culture. There are **20 Useful Phrases for Tourists in São Tomé and Príncipe**, ranging from Bathroom to You’re welcome; for each you’ll see these fields: Phrase in Portuguese or Forro as used locally,Pronunciation,English translation,When to use — practical pronunciation tips and context are included, and you’ll find below. ## How can I practice pronunciation before I go? Use short audio clips and repeat aloud, phrase by phrase; record yourself and compare, and practice in context (ordering food, asking directions). Focus on rhythm more than perfect accent — locals appreciate the effort. ## Should I use Portuguese or try Forro phrases? Portuguese is the official language and understood widely, but Forro and local expressions are common in daily conversation. Learn basic Portuguese greetings and a few Forro words to show respect — it often opens friendlier interactions. ## Useful Phrases for Tourists in São Tomé and Príncipe | Phrase | Phrase in Portuguese or Forro as used locally | Pronunciation | English translation | When to use | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Hello | Olá | oh-LAH | Hello | General greeting | | Good morning | Bom dia | bohm JEE-ah | Good morning | Morning greeting | | Good evening/night | Boa noite | BOH-ah NOY-tch | Good evening/night | Evening greeting or goodbye | | Please | Por favor | por fah-VOR | Please | Polite requests | | Thank you | Obrigado / Obrigada | oh-bree-GAH-doo / oh-bree-GAH-dah | Thank you | Express gratitude | | You’re welcome | De nada | dee NAH-dah | You’re welcome | After someone thanks you | | Excuse me / Sorry | Com licença / Desculpe | kohm lee-SEN-sah / des-KOOL-pay | Excuse me / Sorry | Getting attention or apologizing | | Do you speak English? | Você fala inglês? | vo-SEH FAH-lah een-GLESH? | Do you speak English? | Ask when language help needed | | I don’t understand | Não entendo | now en-TEN-doo | I don’t understand | When you can’t follow conversation | | Can you help me? | Pode ajudar-me? | POH-deh ah-zhoo-DAHR me? | Can you help me? | Need assistance or directions | | How much is it? | Quanto custa? | KWAN-too KOOS-tah? | How much is it? | Asking price for goods/services | | Where is …? | Onde fica …? | ON-deh FEE-kah …? | Where is …? | Ask for directions to places | | Left / Right / Straight | Esquerda / Direita / Em frente | esh-KEHR-dah / day-RAY-tah / em FREN-chee | Left / Right / Straight | Giving/receiving simple directions | | Bathroom | Casa de banho / Sanita | KAH-zah deh BAH-nyoo / sah-NEE-tah | Bathroom / Toilet | Finding restrooms | | I would like … | Eu gostaria de … | eh-oo goh-stah-REE-ah dee … | I would like … | Ordering food or requesting items | | Menu, please | O menu, por favor | oo MEH-noo por fah-VOR | Menu, please | At a restaurant ordering | | Bill, please | A conta, por favor | ah KON-tah por fah-VOR | The bill, please | When ready to pay at restaurants | | Taxi / Bus stop | Táxi / Paragem de autocarro | TAHK-see / pah-RAH-zhem deh ow-toh-KAH-roo | Taxi / Bus stop | Asking about transport locations | | I’m lost | Estou perdido / Estou perdida | es-TOH per-DEE-doo / per-DEE-dah | I’m lost | When you need directions urgently | | Emergency — Call police/ambulance | Emergência — Chame a polícia / Ambulância | eh-mehr-ZHEN-see-ah — SHAH-mee ah poh-LEE-see-ah / ahm-boo-LAHN-see-ah | Emergency — Call police/ambulance | In medical or safety emergencies | ## Descriptions ### Hello A friendly, universal greeting used when meeting people, shopkeepers, or drivers. Use with a smile; it’s polite and widely understood across São Tomé and Príncipe. Starting with ‘Olá’ opens conversations pleasantly. ### Good morning Use to greet people before midday at hotels, markets, or on the street. Showing time-appropriate politeness is appreciated; locals commonly respond with the same phrase and often a friendly nod or handshake. ### Good evening/night Said in the evening as a greeting or when leaving after dark. Using ‘Boa noite’ signals respect and is common in restaurants, bars, and nighttime encounters; it’s polite to use when entering or departing. ### Please A must-have phrase when asking for help, ordering food, or bargaining. Saying ‘por favor’ softens requests and shows courtesy; São Toméans appreciate politeness and will respond more warmly when you use it. ### Thank you Expresses thanks after service, directions, or a meal. Men say ‘obrigado’ and women ‘obrigada’; using the right form is polite and locals will appreciate the effort. It’s commonly said with a smile. ### You’re welcome A simple reply to ‘thank you’ that keeps interactions friendly and casual. ‘De nada’ is widely used; another courteous option is ‘com prazer’ meaning ‘with pleasure’ for more emphasis in formal settings. ### Excuse me / Sorry Use ‘com licença’ to politely pass by people or ask for space; ‘desculpe’ is for apologies or minor mistakes. Both show respect in crowded markets, buses, or when bumping into someone. ### Do you speak English? An essential question for travelers seeking assistance. Many younger people or tourism workers may answer yes; if not, try simple Portuguese or ask for someone who speaks English in shops. ### I don’t understand Polite way to signal confusion and invite the other person to speak slower or repeat. You can add ‘mais devagar’ to request slower speech; locals appreciate the honesty and effort to communicate. ### Can you help me? Use when you require help with directions, transport, or an issue. It’s polite to address people formally; adding ‘por favor’ increases politeness and locals are usually willing to assist with a smile. ### How much is it? A direct, polite way to ask prices at markets, shops, or for transport. Haggling may be common in some places — start with a friendly tone and use ‘por favor’ to keep it courteous. ### Where is …? Add the landmark or address after the phrase to find hotels, the market, or beaches. Locals often give simple directions or point; asking clearly and politely yields best results in São Tomé. ### Left / Right / Straight Basic directional words useful when following maps or listening to drivers and guides. Use them with gestures to avoid confusion; pronunciations may vary slightly with accents across islands and communities. ### Bathroom Ask for ‘casa de banho’ in more formal places or ‘sanita’ in casual speech. In small towns, public restrooms can be scarce; offering small change for use is common and appreciated. ### I would like … A polite way to order food, request a tour, or ask for something. Softens requests and is well received in restaurants and shops; follow with the item name or dish in Portuguese when possible. ### Menu, please Use this to request a menu in cafes or restaurants; some local spots may have limited printed menus. Pointing or asking about daily dishes (‘prato do dia’) is also common. ### Bill, please Ask for ‘a conta’ when finished eating. Many small venues accept cash only; it’s polite to thank staff when leaving and check prices before asking, as service may be informal. ### Taxi / Bus stop Useful terms when hailing transport or finding stops. In São Tomé drivers may not always have meters, so confirm price beforehand; buses can be informal, so ask locals for schedules. ### I’m lost Say this if you can’t find your hotel or a landmark; locals are usually helpful and may escort you partway. Gendered endings should match your speaker identity; say politely and include ‘por favor’. ### Emergency — Call police/ambulance Key phrase in urgent situations; also learn local emergency numbers. Speak clearly, give location, and ask a bystander to help translate if needed. Staying calm helps locals assist you faster.