Less Grammar, More Talk

Learn European Portuguese the Practical Way

 

 

 

Portuguish offers you an alternative method to help you speak and understand European Portuguese.

Choose Your Portuguish Path
Try The Portuguese Puzzle

Portuguish is the opposite of traditional language learning

Have you struggled with grammar-heavy lessons, or do you want to avoid them altogether? Are you wondering what “Portuguish” actually means? It is our brand name, not a spelling mistake. In English, the ending “-ish” means “approximately” or “somewhat”, and that is our approach. Portuguish is a practical way to learn conversational Portuguese without all the overwhelming grammar. We start from real life, not textbooks, so you don’t need to be perfect, just willing to progress at your own pace. This method is for international residents and people planning to move to Portugal. We work with all levels and help you communicate with confidence – you’re welcome to join us.

All levels

Beginner / Intermediate / Advanced

European Portuguese

Personalised Learning with Native Teachers

Choose Your Portuguish Path

Course card for The Portuguese Puzzle with Lisbon bridge and Cristo Rei statue at sunset.

The Portuguese Puzzle

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Our interactive learning platform gives you access to all levels. You'll get short lessons, audio clips to train your ear, games and personalised flashcards. Unlike other language apps, you'll also get one-to-one support.

 

€9.90/month

Discover the Portuguese Puzzle
Course card for Live Personalised Lessons showing a hand reaching toward a laptop screen on Zoom

Live Lessons on Zoom

 

A safe space to practise conversation in an easy, informal way. Our weekly lessons are tailored to each student and designed to facilitate rapid progress. Available for all levels, incl. CIPLE A2 citizenship exam preparation.

 

€55 pp/month (2 students max)

Learn more about our lessons
Course card for the beginner Foundation Course with a panoramic view of Porto at sunrise

Beginner Course

   

A clear, structured course that starts with the basics and uses super-simplified grammar. Think of it as a shortcut to real communication. With a small, targeted set of words, you will learn to express yourself from day one.

 

€149 - lifetime access

Explore the Foundation Course

How it Works in 3 Steps

1. Try our proven method

We recommend starting with The Portuguese Puzzle to experience our practical approach and explore any level, from Beginner to Advanced.

2. Progress in 15 minutes a day

The Portuguese Puzzle gives you access to short lessons for all levels, audio clips to train your ear, games and personalised flashcards.

3. Put it into practice

Turn knowledge into action. Order at cafés, handle services and chat with neighbours, building your confidence day by day.

The Portuguese Puzzle gives you one-to-one support whenever you need it. You can book personalised Zoom lessons for extra conversation practice.

Try the Portuguese Puzzle

Portuguish is the opposite of traditional learning

Our Method

✅ Communication first, add grammar gradually

âś… Short lessons, steady progress

✅ Personalised lessons for each level

Traditional Learning

❌ Focus on grammar first

❌ Lots of theory, little speaking

❌ Mixed levels in the same group

Why Our Students Love Portuguish

Our Story

đź’ˇ How it all started

Until 2019, I kept meeting residents who could not get past “Olá, tudo bem?” without freezing. One day, I asked a couple to show me what they were learning. Their notebook was full of verb tables, long gender lists, and so many rules that even I felt dizzy. That was when I realised it was not their fault. Portuguese is already complex. If we teach it strictly “by the book”, how can anyone speak? It is like trying to learn to drive only by reading the theory manual. So I decided to build a new approach that puts communication first, not perfection. We simplified verbs, focused on the most useful words and removed the fear of gender rules. Let’s be honest, if you call a table “o mesa” instead of “a mesa”, I'm sure the table won't mind. In 2020, I started small groups in the Algarve, and people loved this simplified strategy to start speaking Portuguese from day one.

🌍 From local lessons to a worldwide community

Moving online made this method available to students across Portugal and abroad. I kept the same approach: communication comes first, and grammar appears gradually when it helps you progress. In 2023, I launched The Portuguese Puzzle, an interactive platform with short lessons, native audio to train your ear, flashcards, games and personalised support. I now work with four brilliant teachers (Vicente, Pedro, Dylan and Raquel), delivering weekly conversation lessons tailored to each student. We've helped over 1,500 international residents to speak Portuguese and feel more at home in Portugal - many have passed the CIPLE A2 exam, required for citizenship. You're welcome to join us!

InĂŞs Nunes, Founder of Portuguish

InĂŞs Nunes, founder of The Portuguese Puzzle.

Not Sure Where To Start Your Portuguese Journey?

If you need guidance or have any questions, feel free to contact us via the contact form on our website or Whatsapp.

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