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How to say "you're welcome" in Portuguese like a local

Someone says muito obrigado! ("thank you very much!"). What do you say back?

Three levels of "you're welcome"

Fine:

De nada.

Say it d' NAH-duh

"It's nothing." The one everyone learns first.

Better:

Não tem de quê.

Say it nowng tayng d' KEH

"There's nothing to thank for."

Local level:

Ora essa!

Say it OH-ruh EH-suh

"Oh, please. Don't mention it."

How to say "ora essa"

Say it like it was nothing: light, quick, almost brushing the thanks away. That's the whole point. Some people find it a little old-fashioned, but you'll still hear it, and it always lands with a smile.

In short

  • De nada works everywhere.
  • Não tem de quê sounds a bit more natural.
  • Ora essa! is the "oh, please, it was nothing" of a local.

Which one do you use? The European Portuguese Cheat Sheets have the everyday courtesy phrases, each with pronunciation.

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