At a Brazilian Buffet by Weight: Understand ‘Por Quilo’ in Portuguese — Practice

Check whether the buffet charges by weight

A self-service restaurant may charge por quilo (by the kilogram) or a fixed price. Ask the price before serving yourself. Some places charge a different rate at lunch or dinner, so verify the meal period too.

Find out when to weigh your plate

Balança means scale. In many pay-by-weight buffets, staff weigh the plate before you sit down; the restaurant’s process can vary. Ask where to place the plate and whether drinks or dessert are charged separately.

Ask how to pay and whether you can return for more

If you are unsure whether the price includes another serving, ask about repetir antes de going back to the buffet. Confirm whether payment happens at the cashier or table. This is especially helpful when a group has different plates or one person is paying.

Remember: Ask the price per kilo and the weighing process before you start serving yourself.

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.

1. Is lunch priced by weight or at a fixed price?

   Show a Portuguese answer

   O almoço é por quilo ou preço fixo?

2. How much is a kilo today?

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Quanto custa o quilo hoje?

3. Where do I weigh my plate?

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Onde eu peso o prato?

4. Are dessert and drinks charged separately?

   Show a Portuguese answer

   A sobremesa e a bebida são cobradas à parte?

5. Can I serve myself again, or is each plate weighed only once?

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Posso me servir de novo ou cada prato é pesado uma vez?

6. Do I pay at the cashier or at the table?

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Eu pago no caixa ou na mesa?

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.

Ask the price per kilo and the weighing process before you start serving yourself.

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 At a Brazilian Buffet by Weight: Understand ‘Por Quilo’ in 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.