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.