What does "então" mean in Portuguese? One word, five meanings

If you only learn one small word in European Portuguese this week, make it this one. You'll hear it everywhere.

One word, five meanings

The dictionary says então means "then" or "so". In real life it's much busier:

1. Hi, how are you? To a friend, with a smile.
2. So? What happened? When someone is waiting for gossip.
3. Well? Hurry up. In a queue that isn't moving.
4. Hey, what's going on? When someone's annoyed.
5. Then. The dictionary one.

How to tell them apart

It's all in the eyebrows. Raised and smiling: a greeting. Leaning in: they want the story. Arms crossed: something's wrong.

You'll often hear it as a full greeting, too:

In short

• Então? can be hi, so, hurry up, what's wrong, or then.
• Read the face, not just the word.
• Então, tudo bem? is a friendly hello.

Which meaning did you get last? The European Portuguese Cheat Sheets have the small words that do the most work, with pronunciation.