Meaning
To purchase admission passes for an event or travel.
Cultural Background
In many Portuguese cities, you can buy 'bilhetes' at 'Quiosques' (kiosks) which also sell newspapers and tobacco. It's a very traditional way to top up your travel card. Brazilians often buy 'ingressos' for football matches weeks in advance. The 'Sócio Torcedor' (fan member) programs often give priority for 'comprar ingressos'. In Luanda, formal 'bilhetes' are used for the 'Caminho de Ferro de Luanda' (CFL) train, but for the 'candongueiros' (blue and white vans), you simply pay the 'cobrador' (collector) in cash. For the 'chapa' (local minibus), there are no tickets. However, for the 'machimbombo' (large bus) traveling between Maputo and Beira, you must 'comprar o bilhete' at the terminal.
Buy in Advance
In Portugal, buying 'bilhetes de longo curso' (long-distance train tickets) 5-8 days in advance can save you up to 50%.
Validate Your Ticket
Buying the ticket is not enough. In many European cities, you must 'validar' (scan) the ticket before boarding or you will be fined.
Meaning
To purchase admission passes for an event or travel.
Buy in Advance
In Portugal, buying 'bilhetes de longo curso' (long-distance train tickets) 5-8 days in advance can save you up to 50%.
Validate Your Ticket
Buying the ticket is not enough. In many European cities, you must 'validar' (scan) the ticket before boarding or you will be fined.
Politeness Matters
Always start with 'Queria...' (I would like) instead of 'Quero...' (I want) when buying tickets at a counter.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the verb 'comprar' in the present tense.
Eu ______ dois bilhetes para o concerto.
For the first person singular 'Eu', the verb 'comprar' becomes 'compro'.
Which is the best way to ask for a round-trip ticket in Portugal?
Queria um bilhete de...
'Ida e volta' is the standard term for a round-trip ticket.
Complete the dialogue at the ticket office.
Passageiro: Bom dia. ______ comprar um bilhete para Braga. Funcionário: Com certeza. São 15 euros.
'Queria' is the polite way to say 'I would like' when making a request.
Match the term to the country where it is most common for a cinema ticket.
1. Bilhete, 2. Ingresso
Portugal uses 'bilhete' for cinema, while Brazil uses 'ingresso'.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Where to buy 'Bilhetes'
Transport
- • Comboio
- • Autocarro
- • Metro
Events
- • Cinema
- • Teatro
- • Concerto
Practice Bank
4 exercisesEu ______ dois bilhetes para o concerto.
For the first person singular 'Eu', the verb 'comprar' becomes 'compro'.
Queria um bilhete de...
'Ida e volta' is the standard term for a round-trip ticket.
Passageiro: Bom dia. ______ comprar um bilhete para Braga. Funcionário: Com certeza. São 15 euros.
'Queria' is the polite way to say 'I would like' when making a request.
1. Bilhete, 2. Ingresso
Portugal uses 'bilhete' for cinema, while Brazil uses 'ingresso'.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsPeople will understand you, but it's better to use 'bilhete'. 'Ticket' is often used for restaurant receipts (ticket de restaurante).
Say: 'Tem desconto para estudantes?' when you 'comprar o bilhete'.
It is a round-trip ticket (going and returning).
It is neutral. It's appropriate for both a casual chat and a formal transaction.
Usually no. Most 'bilhetes' bought online in Portugal and Brazil can be shown on your phone.
You can usually 'comprar o bilhete' inside the train from the 'revisor', but tell them immediately upon boarding.
Yes, 'bilhete de lotaria' is the standard term.
The phrase is 'bilhetes esgotados'.
Yes, 'posso pagar com cartão?' is the phrase to use.
A group ticket, which usually offers a discount for 3 or more people.
Related Phrases
bilheteira
specialized formTicket office
bilhete de identidade
similarID card (Portugal)
passagem
synonymTravel ticket / passage
ingresso
synonymEntry ticket
validar o bilhete
builds onTo validate the ticket
