Obrigado or Obrigada: Difference Explained for Portuguese Learners

Thank you is one of those expressions you want to learn whenever you visit a foreign country. Even if you do not speak the local language, knowing a single word can make a huge difference in your experience. You might find the locals are kinder to you, maybe even granting you access to opportunities you would not have otherwise.

Above all, it is a way to dive deeper into the customs of the country you are visiting. It demonstrates appreciation for the culture and respect for the locals. Moreover, it is a kindness you would probably appreciate being directed towards you by foreigners in your home country.

Usually, you will find several expressions to show you are thankful. For example, in English, you can say: Much obliged, I’m thankful for…, Cheers, and so on. But there is one term that natives use most, and that is acceptable in any situation. In English, that would be Thank you.

The same happens with most Romance languages. You can say Gracias in Spanish, Merci in French, Grazie in Italian, and Mulțumesc in Romanian. However, Portuguese has two versions of the same word: Obrigado and Obrigada.

What do these expressions mean? Where did they originate from? And how should you use them? Discover all about these terms to express gratitude, and never forget how to say Thank you in Portuguese!

Obrigado or Obrigada – Difference in Portuguese

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As you already know, the Portuguese words Obrigado and Obrigada are used to express that the speaker is grateful. Now, take a deeper dive into this subject. Understand the origin of these terms and get examples of situations in which to use them.

Learning Portuguese Basics

Besides being used as an interjection to show gratitude, the term Obrigado in Portuguese has another definition. It is the Past Participle of the verb Obrigar (To force, To compel). Thus, you might hear the locals using it while talking about other topics.

For example, the sentence: Havia trânsito, por isso, fui obrigado a fazer um desvio translates to There was traffic, so I was forced to take a detour. Most people do not notice this duplicity when using the same word in different contexts. But as a language learner, it is something you might start to detect.

The Origins of The Term

The word Obrigado comes from the Past Participle of the Latin verb Obligo. In turn, it originated from an Indo-European term meaning To bond. It was once common in Portugal to sign off letters with expressions like Obrigado a Vossa Mercê (Obliged to Your Mercy).

With time, these expressions were shortened to a single word: Obrigado (Obliged). Scholars found several references using this word as a way of thanks, dating back to the 19th century. Although it still carried the original meaning, it became synonymous with other sayings, like Grato (Thankful) and Bem haja (Cheers).

It surpassed these older sayings in popularity. In truth, it became the most common form to say Thank you in both written and oral communication in Portuguese.

The Terms Obrigado and Obrigada Today

In modern days, Obrigado is a crucial element of the Portuguese vocabulary. You will hear it whether you visit Portugal, Brazil, Mozambique, Angola, or Cape Verde. It is used as the Past Participle of the verb Obrigar, as an adjective, and as an indication of gratitude.

As you saw above, when used to say thank you, it literally means Obliged. It conveys the sense of feeling indebted to someone. Thus, you are saying you owe or are indebted to the person who did you a favor or showed you kindness in some way.

It is like a first-person sentence, and thus, it is gendered in Portuguese. Hence, the varying terminations between the two words. As a verb, it must reflect the gender of the subject. So, you must apply the termination according to your gender. Obrigado is the masculine form and applies to men, and Obrigada is the feminine form and, thus, applies to women.

How Native Speakers Say Thank You in European Portuguese

In Portugal, you will generally hear the locals apply the rule above. However, there are other ways to say Thank you in Portuguese. For example, you might hear Muito obrigado (Thank you very much), which translates to Much obliged.

You might also hear more regional expressions, such as Bem haja (Cheers), common in the Northern regions. Depending on the situation, locals might opt for a more casual term like Obrigadão (Huge thanks). Discover more about the Portuguese word Obrigado in the article: The Meaning of Obrigado – Saying Thank You in Portuguese.

Did you know there are over five more ways to say thank you in Portuguese? Learn them and their pronunciation in the following video!

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Many in Portugal have not learned the meaning behind Obrigado. Thus, you will find some who, when in doubt, use the male and female terms interchangeably. Still, that does not fit with its definition.

Another aspect to watch out for is the tone with which you speak and your facial expression. Since this word can apply in different situations, the locals might think you are upset. Thus, try to maintain a kind posture and smile sincerely.

Other Applications

Obrigado and obrigada usually convey feelings of acknowledgment and appreciation. In a business or formal setting, using the correct form conveys professionalism and courtesy. Besides, it is a basic polite term essential for creating amicable connections with others.

However, this meaning can change with the context, tone of voice, and facial expressions. For example, the locals may also use it as an interjection to add emphasis or convey surprise. They can also apply it to show frustration and annoyance.

For example, the diminutive Obrigadinho is often used in distinct ways. It can be a more informal way to say Thank you. Nonetheless, it can also be used with an annoyed or condescending expression, similar to the English Thanks a lot.

How to Respond to Obrigado

How about if you are the one who is receiving the thanks? How should you respond to an Obrigado?

In English, when someone says Thank you, you would usually answer with a kind phrase. For example, you might say You’re welcome, My pleasure, or I’m happy to help. Similarly, it might be considered rude not to answer when someone thanks you in Portuguese.

The most common term for You’re welcome is De nada. Curiously, it relates to the original meaning of the term considered above. In reality, when using De nada, you will be saying that the person is not obliged to you.

Still, there are several ways to say You’re welcome in Portuguese. Watch the following video to discover some!

Practical Examples

To help you practice, we have created two short real-life dialogues. In the first situation, you will be the person saying thank you, and in the second, you will be the one receiving the thanks. Try reading these sentences out loud and practice them with your Portuguese friends!

Dialogue 1: You Are Saying Thank You

Café lady (Rita): Aqui está o teu café. (Here is your coffee.)
Tu: Obrigada, Rita. És sempre tão querida. (Thank you, Rita. You’re always so sweet.)
Rita: De nada! Precisas de mais alguma coisa? (You’re welcome! Do you need anything else?)
Tu: Não, está ótimo. Muito obrigada! (No, it’s perfect. Thanks a lot!)

Dialogue 2: You Are the One Receiving The Thanks

Colleague (Pedro): Poderias ajudar-me com o relatório, por favor? (Could you help me with the report, please?)
Tu: Sim, posso. (Yes, I can.)
Pedro: Muito obrigado. Fico-te a dever uma. (Thank you so much. I owe you one.)
Tu: De nada, Pedro. (You’re welcome, Pedro.)

Final Thoughts on Obrigado or Obrigada: Difference in Portuguese

Unlike other languages, which have an invariable term to express gratitude, Portuguese has a gendered word. The direct translation of the word Obrigado is Obliged, referring to your standing regarding the person who helped you in any way. This explanation might make the change in the term easier to understand. However, it does not make it easier to remember.

As a rule of thumb, use Obrigado if you are a man and Obrigada if you are a woman. Still, even locals struggle a bit with the concept, so it is nothing to stress about if you get a bit confused from time to time.

Practice with native speakers. Use this term whenever you visit your local café or ask for directions. Additionally, ask your Portuguese friends to help you get used to using it.

Still, Obrigado is just the start of your Portuguese path to fluency! Click the button below and learn how you can learn Portuguese and become a confident speaker.