Talk About Living Abroad in Brazilian Portuguese
By Bruno Lopes · Brazilian Portuguese teacher
Host of I Speak Portuguese · Updated
Meet Bruno and the teaching teamUseful phrases for talking about life abroad
These original examples help you describe where you live and compare everyday life. Change the details to make each sentence true for you.
| Portuguese | Meaning | How it works |
|---|---|---|
| Moro na Tailândia. | I live in Thailand. | Moro is “I live”; use na with Tailândia. |
| Estou morando em Bangkok. | I’m living in Bangkok. | Estou morando describes a current living situation. |
| Moro aqui há dois anos. | I’ve lived here for two years. | Há expresses how long something has been true. |
| O que eu mais gosto é... | What I like most is... | Use it to introduce one favorite thing. |
| Sinto falta da minha família. | I miss my family. | Sentir falta de means “to miss.” |
| Como é morar aí? | What’s it like living there? | A natural question to ask someone about their home. |
Morar or estar morando?
Moro em Bangkok is a straightforward statement: “I live in Bangkok.” Estou morando em Bangkok puts more emphasis on the current situation. It can sound temporary, but context decides whether the arrangement is temporary.
Use há to talk about duration
For an action or situation that started in the past and continues now, Brazilian Portuguese often uses the present tense with há: Moro aqui há dois anos (“I’ve lived here for two years”).
- Estou aqui há seis meses. — I’ve been here for six months.
- Trabalho aqui há um ano. — I’ve worked here for a year.
- Conheço essa cidade há muito tempo. — I’ve known this city for a long time.
Practice a short conversation
This original dialogue is for speaking practice; it is not taken from the episode.
A: Você mora aqui há muito tempo?
Have you lived here long?
B: Há quase dois anos. Gosto muito da cidade.
Almost two years. I really like the city.
A: Do que você sente mais falta?
What do you miss most?
B: Sinto falta da minha família e da comida brasileira.
I miss my family and Brazilian food.
A three-pass listening routine
- Listen for the situation. Don’t stop for every unfamiliar word. Identify who or what the conversation is about.
- Listen again for familiar language. Note words about places, routines, feelings, and comparisons. Check only what you need.
- Make it personal. Say three sentences about where you live, how long you’ve been there, and what you like or miss.
Keep practicing
Use the Real Life Portuguese app to keep working with practical Brazilian Portuguese. For personal speaking practice, meet the teaching team in a trial lesson, or practice with learners in the community.
Frequently asked questions
How do I say ‘I live in Thailand’ in Portuguese?
Say ‘Moro na Tailândia.’ Use morar to talk about where you live. ‘Estou morando na Tailândia’ emphasizes that you are living there now, often temporarily or as a current situation.
How can I talk about living abroad in Brazilian Portuguese?
Start with where you live, how long you have been there, and one thing you like or miss. For example: ‘Moro em [place] há dois anos. Gosto de [something], mas sinto falta de [something].’ These are original practice examples.
What is a good way to practice listening to a Portuguese podcast?
Listen once without pausing and note the topic. On a second listen, write down familiar words and phrases. Replay a short section if needed, then summarize the main idea in one or two sentences.
