Unit 20 · Finding a homeA2Lesson 3 of 5: Bills
Bills and utilities in European Portuguese
This is lesson 3 of 5 in Unit 20, Finding a home (Arrendar casa), an A2 unit in which you find and rent a flat in Portugal: adverts and viewings, bills, repairs, neighbours and moving day. You will meet 8 new words, such as o gás (gas), a internet (internet) and as contas (bills), in 10 short sentences you can listen to. By the end you can say things like As despesas estão incluídas na renda? (“Are the bills included in the rent?”). The unit’s grammar notes cover “Mandar arranjar: having things done” and “Vamos mudar-nos: plans with ir”.
Words in this lesson
| Portuguese | English |
|---|---|
o gás | gasA conta do gás = the gas bill. |
a internet | internetFeminine in Portuguese: a internet. Online = na internet. |
as contas | billsPagar as contas = to pay the bills. A conta da luz = the electricity bill. |
as despesas | expensesIn flat adverts, despesas incluídas = bills included. |
a botija de gásalso a botija | gas bottleMany Portuguese homes cook with bottled gas. You swap an empty botija for a full one at a shop or a petrol station. |
o contador | meterO contador da luz = the electricity meter. |
o débito direto | direct debit |
gastar | to spendMoney, and also water or electricity: gastar muita luz. |
Example sentences
- As despesas estão incluídas na renda?Are the bills included in the rent?In adverts, despesas incluídas = bills included.
- Eu pago as contas por débito direto.I pay the bills by direct debit.
- Quem paga a água e a luz?Who pays for the water and electricity?A luz is the everyday word for electricity.
- A internet não está incluída.The internet isn't included.
- Nós precisamos de comprar uma botija de gás.We need to buy a gas bottle.
- A conta do gás chegou hoje.The gas bill arrived today.
- Onde fica o contador da luz?Where is the electricity meter?
- Nós gastamos muita luz no inverno.We use a lot of electricity in winter.Gastar = to spend, and also to use (water, electricity).
- Tu já pagaste as contas este mês?Have you paid the bills this month?In a question, já = yet, already.
- A internet aqui é muito lenta.The internet here is very slow.Lento / lenta = slow. Rápido = fast.
Grammar notes
The grammar notes for this lesson are on the page for Unit 20: Finding a home: