How to Say ‘Start a Conversation’ in Brazilian Portuguese — Practice
A guided practice lesson with English explanations, Brazilian Portuguese examples, and answers you can check. Read the examples, recall the meaning, then say a version of your own.
Use puxar assunto to open a topic
Puxar assunto means to start a conversation or bring up something to talk about. It is useful when people are meeting, waiting together, or trying to move beyond a short greeting. A natural first question connects to the setting rather than demanding a personal answer.
The phrase is informal but not slangy. It can describe an easy conversation starter or the effort of finding something to say when the room is quiet.
| Brazilian Portuguese | English meaning |
|---|---|
| Ela puxou assunto sobre o filme que estava passando. | She started a conversation about the movie that was showing. |
| Não sabia o que dizer, então puxei assunto sobre a viagem. | I didn’t know what to say, so I brought up the trip. |
| Você pode puxar assunto perguntando como a pessoa conhece o anfitrião. | You can start a conversation by asking how the person knows the host. |
Ask an easy question and share something too
A simple question gives the other person room to answer. After listening, add a small detail about your own experience so the exchange feels mutual. If the person gives a short answer or turns away, let the conversation rest rather than pressing for more.
For a formal setting, começar uma conversa or introduzir um tema is more neutral. Puxar assunto works well in social conversation and friendly workplace exchanges.
| Brazilian Portuguese | English meaning |
|---|---|
| Você já conhecia este café? Eu vim aqui pela primeira vez. | Had you been to this café before? It’s my first time here. |
| Como você conheceu o pessoal do grupo? | How did you meet the people in the group? |
| A apresentação foi interessante. Qual parte você achou mais útil? | The presentation was interesting. Which part did you find most useful? |
Remember: Puxar assunto is to start a conversation or introduce a topic. Use an easy question, listen to the response, and share a relevant detail of your own.
Check your understanding
Choose the English meaning of each Portuguese example. Answer before looking back at the tables. These questions check the written examples in this guide; they are not a listening or proficiency test.
Recall the Portuguese, then say it
Read the English prompt and say a Portuguese version before opening the answer. The answer shows the example from the lesson; other natural translations may also work. Compare the meaning and the situation rather than counting a different word as automatically wrong.
She started a conversation about the movie that was showing.
Show a Portuguese answer
Ela puxou assunto sobre o filme que estava passando.
I didn’t know what to say, so I brought up the trip.
Show a Portuguese answer
Não sabia o que dizer, então puxei assunto sobre a viagem.
You can start a conversation by asking how the person knows the host.
Show a Portuguese answer
Você pode puxar assunto perguntando como a pessoa conhece o anfitrião.
Had you been to this café before? It’s my first time here.
Show a Portuguese answer
Você já conhecia este café? Eu vim aqui pela primeira vez.
How did you meet the people in the group?
Show a Portuguese answer
Como você conheceu o pessoal do grupo?
The presentation was interesting. Which part did you find most useful?
Show a Portuguese answer
A apresentação foi interessante. Qual parte você achou mais útil?
Make the phrase useful to you
Choose one example you could actually use. Say it once from memory, then change one detail that fits your life, such as the person, place, time, or object. Check whether your change also needs a different verb form, article, or adjective ending. If it does, compare it with the pattern in the explanation.
Puxar assunto is to start a conversation or introduce a topic. Use an easy question, listen to the response, and share a relevant detail of your own.
Return to two prompts tomorrow without opening the answers first. If a phrase still feels difficult, shorten it to a useful chunk and build the complete sentence again.
Sources and your next lesson
This I Speak Portuguese practice guide builds on our How to Say ‘Start a Conversation’ in Brazilian Portuguese lesson on Real Life Portuguese, with written recall tasks and additional speaking practice. The explanations and examples are teaching material; the practice questions are exercises, not a transcript of a recording.
To add Brazilian audio to your routine, choose a lesson in the Real Life Portuguese app. The app offers its own lessons and practice; this page does not imply that every example here has an app recording.
Browse all learning guides
