Office vs. Ofício: Where You Work and What You Send in Portuguese
Ofício is not the everyday word for an office. Choose escritório, consultório, or órgão based on the place you mean.
Real Life Portuguese · 4 min read · Updated October 15, 2026
The short answer
An office where people work is an escritório. A doctor or dentist’s office is commonly a consultório. For a public office or government department, use órgão, setor, or repartição depending on the specific institution.
Use escritório for an office or workspace
Meu escritório fica perto da estação.
My office is near the station.
Tenho consulta no consultório às quatro.
I have an appointment at the doctor’s office at four.
Understand the meaning of ofício
Ofício often refers to a formal written document sent between institutions, or to a trade or craft someone practices. It is not the general word for a workplace.
A secretaria enviou um ofício à prefeitura.
The department sent an official letter to city hall.
Ele aprendeu o ofício de marceneiro com o pai.
He learned the trade of carpentry from his father.
Name the kind of place or document
If you mean a workplace, say escritório; if you are visiting a health professional, say consultório. Use ofício only when the sentence concerns a formal document or a practiced trade.
O setor de atendimento funciona no segundo andar.
The public service office is on the second floor.
Preciso assinar o ofício antes do envio.
I need to sign the official letter before it is sent.
Put it into practice
Office is usually escritório, consultório, or an agency-specific term; ofício is a formal document or trade.
Quick practice
Which Portuguese example matches “The public service office is on the second floor”?
Choose an answer to check yourself.
Keep practicing with the Real Life Portuguese app
Build on this guide with everyday expressions and native Brazilian audio. Choose iPhone, Android, or the web app.