How to Say Address in Portugal: Formal and Informal Ways

If you are visiting Portugal and need to ask for directions or mail a letter, it’s important to know how to say “address” in Portuguese. Whether you prefer a formal or informal way of expressing it, this guide will help you navigate through the different variations. While some regional variations exist, we will focus on the most common and widely understood terms. Let’s dive in!

Formal Ways of Saying “Address” in Portugal

When speaking formally, especially in official settings or when addressing someone older or of higher authority, it’s best to use the following terms:

1. Endereço: This is the most common and official word for “address” in Portugal. It can be used in various contexts, such as giving someone your home address or asking for directions.
2. Morada: This term is commonly used in formal written communication or official documents.

For example, if you want to ask for someone’s home address in a formal manner, you can say:

“Qual é a sua morada?” (What is your address?)

Similarly, if you need to provide your address formally, you can say:

“A minha morada é…” (My address is…)

Informal Ways of Saying “Address” in Portugal

In informal conversations or when speaking with friends, family, or people of similar age or authority, you can use the following terms to refer to an address:

1. Endereço: While “endereço” is commonly used formally, it can also be used in informal settings. However, it may sound slightly more formal compared to the other options listed below.
2. Morada: Although “morada” is generally formal, it can be used casually as well. It is commonly used across Portugal.
3. Moradia: This term is more commonly used in northern Portugal and is acceptable in both formal and informal contexts.
4. Placa: This is a more informal term, primarily used in Lisbon and some other urban areas. It is often used to refer to signboards with the address information.

For instance, in an informal conversation, you can ask for someone’s address by saying:

“Onde é que moras?” (Where do you live?)

Similarly, if you want to informally share your address, you can say:

“A minha morada é…” (My address is…)

Regional Variations

While the terms mentioned above are widely understood across Portugal, it’s important to note that some regional variations exist. Here are a few examples:

• Residência: This is occasionally used in certain regions of Portugal to refer to an address, but it is not as common as the previously mentioned terms.
• Direção: In the Azores Islands, the word “direção” is sometimes used, especially when referring to a business or premises address.

Remember that regional variations may not be universally understood, so it’s best to stick to the commonly used terms unless you are specifically in those regions.

Tips and Examples

Here are a few tips and examples to help you effectively use the terms for “address” in Portugal:

• When pronouncing “endereço,” stress the second-to-last syllable: en-DE-re-ço.
• To ask for directions, you can say: “Como chego a [endereço/morada]?” (How do I get to [address]?)
• If you are unsure about the pronunciation of a specific address, you can politely ask the person to write it down for you. You can say: “Pode escrever o endereço/morada para mim, por favor?” (Can you write down the address for me, please?)