Multiple national standards
Portugal, Brazil, Angola and Mozambique share a common linguistic foundation but use their own official and specialist terminology.
Romance language
Have Portuguese translated
português
Portuguese is used in documents from Europe, South America, Africa and Asia. The country of origin and its national specialist terminology are essential for an accurate translation.
Portuguese is spoken by approximately 260 million people and is one of the world's most widely spoken languages.
Geographical distribution of Portuguese
- Main areas of use
- Other regional use
- Selected diaspora communities
Portugal
Brazil
Angola
Mozambique
Cabo Verde
Guinea-Bissau
São Tomé and Príncipe
Timor-Leste
France
Germany
Schematic selection of key areas where the language is used. Language use does not always follow national borders; the map is not a comprehensive population statistic.
Language profile
Portuguese at a glance
- Native name
- português
- Language family
- Romance language
- Script
- Latin alphabet
- Language code
- pt
Documents and uses
Common uses for this language combination
The language alone is not decisive. ABBA-Sprachendienste also considers the document type, recipient, subject area, certification requirements and requested language direction.
Request a document review- Birth and marriage certificates
- Diplomas and educational records
- Employment and business contracts
- Corporate and commercial documents
- Court and immigration documents
Origin and development
How the language developed
Portuguese developed from medieval Galician-Portuguese in the north-west of the Iberian Peninsula. As the Portuguese state developed, the language's centre shifted southwards.
Seafaring and colonial history spread the language to Brazil, Africa and Asia. European and Brazilian Portuguese differ in pronunciation, vocabulary and, to some extent, grammar.
Good to know
What makes this language distinctive
Sequences of surnames
Multi-part surnames do not always follow German conventions. Their order and complete official spelling must be preserved.
Orthographic development
Spelling agreements have changed some spellings; older documents may still use previous forms.
A brief introduction to the language
Three introductory expressions
The transliteration is intended only as an initial guide. Pronunciation and regional forms may vary.
| Original | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Bom dia | — | Good day |
| Obrigado / Obrigada | — | Thank you |
| Por favor | — | Please |
Sources and classification
Further information
Speaker numbers are rounded estimates and may vary depending on the definition, survey year and whether second-language speakers are included.
- Portuguese language
Wikipedia · language-specific overview
- Codes for the Representation of Names of Languages
Library of Congress / ISO 639-2 Registration Authority · Language codes and standardised language names
- Language and Locale Names
Unicode Common Locale Data Repository · Language, script and territory names and variants
- Glottolog 5.3
Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology · Language families, classification and linguistic literature
Editorial sources current as at 14 July 2026. The information will undergo a specialist review before the production launch.
Portuguese FAQ
Frequently asked questions about Portuguese
Can I have Portuguese translated into German and German into Portuguese?
Both directions can be requested. Binding confirmation is provided after the document type, subject area, certification requirements, appointment and intended use have been assessed.
Which documents are commonly relevant for Portuguese?
Birth and marriage certificates, diplomas and educational records, employment and business contracts, and corporate and commercial documents are typical examples. Other types of document can also be assessed using a clear photograph or PDF.
What does ABBA-Sprachendienste check for Portuguese?
The review covers the language direction, document type, use of the Latin alphabet, names, stamps, subject area, intended use and any potential need for certification.
Do I need a certified translation of my Portuguese document?
The receiving authority, court, notary or other requesting body decides this. Tell ABBA-Sprachendienste where the document will be submitted so that the requirements can be assessed appropriately.
Is a photo sufficient for the initial review?
Yes. A complete, sharp and clearly legible photo or PDF is usually sufficient for an initial quotation review. Depending on the assignment, the original may also be required later.
Ask us to review your Portuguese ↔ German requirements
Send a clear photo or PDF. ABBA-Sprachendienste will personally assess the language direction, document, intended use and certification requirements.
