English is spoken in every hotel, restaurant and shop that sees tourists, and by most people under fifty. You do not need Portuguese, but a few words open doors:
- Bom dia / Boa tarde / Boa noite: good morning / afternoon / evening.
- Olá: hello. Adeus: goodbye.
- Por favor: please. Obrigado (if you are a man) / Obrigada (if you are a woman): thank you.
- Desculpe: sorry, excuse me.
- Um café, por favor: an espresso, please. Uma chinesa: the island's own coffee with milk, in a cup. Ask for it and you will be treated as a regular.
- A conta, por favor: the bill, please.
- Fala inglês?: do you speak English?
- Saúde!: cheers.