Portuguese at a Brazilian Farmers’ Market: Ask, Choose, and Buy Produce
Practice useful feira vocabulary and short questions for choosing produce and confirming a quantity before you buy.
Real Life Portuguese · 7 min read · Updated October 14, 2026
The short answer
A feira is an open-air market; a stall or stand is a barraca, and the person selling there is often called a feirante. Product selection and local names vary. Start by asking what is in season or what the seller recommends, then name the fruit or vegetable you want to see.
Recognize the feira and ask what is available
Words such as fruta (fruit), verdura (leafy greens), and legume (vegetable) can help you describe what you are looking for. If you do not know an item’s name, point to it and ask how people call it.
Quais frutas estão boas hoje?
Which fruit is good today?
Como se chama este legume?
What is this vegetable called?
Você recomenda alguma fruta da estação?
Do you recommend any fruit that’s in season?
Ask about quantity, ripeness, and price
Many produce prices are given by weight, so listen for quilo (kilogram) and meio quilo (half a kilogram). Ask for a small quantity when you are unsure, or confirm the price before the seller weighs your selection. To ask whether something is ripe, use maduro for a masculine noun and madura for a feminine noun.
You can also describe what you need the produce for: fruta para fazer suco (fruit for making juice) or tomate para salada (tomatoes for salad). This helps the seller understand the level of ripeness or type you mean without requiring specialized vocabulary.
Quanto custa o quilo da manga?
How much is a kilogram of mangoes?
Pode separar meio quilo, por favor?
Could you set aside half a kilogram, please?
Essas bananas estão maduras para hoje?
Are these bananas ripe for today?
Confirm your selection and finish the purchase
Before the seller weighs or bags the produce, repeat the item and amount you chose. If you want a different level of ripeness, ask for it clearly. At the end, confirm the total and ask which payment methods are accepted rather than assuming every stall follows the same practice.
A feira is also a good place to learn food vocabulary from a real interaction. Listen to the name the seller uses, repeat it once, and use it in your next question. You can compare this with our supermarket guide, which focuses on finding products and checking out indoors.
Então são três maçãs e meio quilo de uva, certo?
So that’s three apples and half a kilogram of grapes, right?
Pode escolher as mais maduras, por favor?
Could you choose the ripest ones, please?
Qual é o total? Vocês aceitam cartão?
What’s the total? Do you accept cards?
Put it into practice
Practice a market exchange with three details: name one product, ask its price per kilo, and request the amount you actually want.
Quick practice
Which Portuguese example matches “What’s the total? Do you accept cards”?
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.