Lonely Planet Portuguese Phrasebook & Dictionary

Another great title from Lonely Planet. Useful and to the point phrases, clear division by subjects and situations, pronunciation guide which really works - everything you would expect from a good phrasebook, plus a comprehensive enough dictionary. Lonely Planet was so kind to include cultural tips about Portugal that also helped a lot. Note that there are significant differences between Brazilian and European Portuguese, and this book is about European Portuguese (while it is very well emphasized in the book, maybe Lonely Planet should include it in the title). If going to Brazil, look for a Brazilian Portuguese phrasebook. Other former Portuguese colonies like Mosambique, Capo Verde, East Timor use European dialect. One small drawback is that the content obviously isn't reviewed often. For example, the currency of Portugal in the book is "escudo" which has been extinct for a few years already after the introduction of euro. But since it is an extra, I still give it well earned 5 stars.

Content-wise, I have been very pleased with this phrasebook. The pronunciation is for continental Portuguese, which is what I was after, and the content is great for learning the language. The notes on differences in Brazilian and continental usage are also clear and useful.I've learned almost as much grammar from this phrase book as from the grammar books that I bought at the same time. My only complaint, and it's a significant one, is the font! In anything but perfect lighting, it's very difficult to tell an "a" from an "o", and the brown ink used for Portuguese words doesn't help. For a book that you keep in your pocket and read in all sorts of places, this is a big drawback.

I was on an interrail and bought many of these LP phrasebooks and I must say they helped me out. They have phrases that you don't learn if you take a beginner's course in Portugese or any other language. They also have some interesting facts printed inside little boxes, they are fun to read. Although I don't know whether these phrasebooks are suitable for the complete beginner, because....well, when you ask someone "What kind of art you interested in?", I don't think you will understand the answer if you haven't studied any Portugese prior to your trip. But it's great for brushing up your skills and it really helped me on my trip to Portugal.