Obrigado and Obrigada

Learning a language can seem daunting at first, and getting used to using phrases and words that are different can feel uncomfortable to begin with when you are in a foreign country.

Learning a few basic phrases can really go a long way when travelling and once you get used to speaking a foreign language it makes a trip or holidays much more rewarding.

In Portuguese, “obrigado” and “obrigada” both mean “thank you,” but they are used differently based on the gender of the speaker:

  • “Obrigado” is used by men.
  • “Obrigada” is used by women.

The word “obrigado” literally means “obliged” or “grateful,” and is said based on the gender of the person speaking. So, a man would say “obrigado” to express his gratitude, while a woman would say “obrigada.”

It’s a small but important detail in Portuguese that reflects the gender of the speaker rather than the person being thanked.

Categories: Language