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I love how a podcast will teach you a lot of stuff while driving, cooking, or even showering — they’re the perfect learning tool for the fast-paced world we live in.
If you’re studying Portuguese and want to find the right podcast for you, look no further: I’ve made up a list of the best Portuguese podcasts on the interwebs.
Regardless of your level of Portuguese, they’re guaranteed to get you hooked on this charming language that I just love being a native speaker of!
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Why are Portuguese podcasts so useful?
Though you should also rely on other resources to learn Portuguese, the finest podcasts will have you learn the language without feeling like a lesson — including those specifically structured like lessons.
They’re engaging and can be listened to at any time as you go about your business, which is awesome if you can’t afford the time to pause for an actual Portuguese class.
Since you’ll be listening to native speakers say words in context, Portuguese podcasts are a fantastic way to train your listening skills and hone your pronunciation skills as well.
On top of that, there are podcasts focusing on basically any topic you might be interested in, from soccer to pop culture and from science to politics.
That means you’ll stay informed, have fun, and better yet find all the motivation it takes to master the language if you listen to a Portuguese podcast (or a few of them!).
Best Portuguese podcasts for Beginners
1. Pimsleur
Dialect: Brazilian and European Portuguese
Granted, Pimsleur is not an actual podcast — but its audio course is so engaging you won’t even feel you’re studying. Each core lesson runs for about 30 minutes and sheds a light on a different aspect of language learning.
Its method has five-decade-long proven effectiveness and will turn you into an intermediate-level speaker within a month. You can check out our pretty comprehensive review of Pimsleur to know more about its ins and outs. Better yet, you can try Pimsleur for free and see for yourself.
Why you should try Pimsleur:
- The time-tested method was developed by professor Paul Pimsleur, who specialized in applied linguistics;
- Its main goal is making you become conversational in Portuguese ASAP;
- It features extra tools including flashcards and quizzes.
2. Rocket Portuguese
Dialect: Brazilian Portuguese
Rocket Portuguese is another amazing Portuguese learning app offering podcast-style interactive audio lessons. Its content mix is basically unmatched and totals around 140 hours’ worth of recordings.
While its program covers reading/writing, listening, speaking, and grammar, it’ll let you choose the method and pace that works best for you — which is unlike most courses you’ll come across on the market.
That’s made possible by the impressive variety of materials provided by Rocket Languages, which to top it all off look very sleek. Here’s our detailed review of Rocket Languages, if you’re still on the fence.
Why you should try Rocket Portuguese:
- Its approach is holistic, which is rare among language learning apps;
- You’ll have access to a wide range of multimedia materials;
- You can develop your own method with the resources that suit your needs best.
3. Learning Portuguese is Fun
Dialect: European Portuguese
Learning Portuguese is Fun lives up to its name and teaches you the language in a casual and exciting manner. Episodes average between 3 and 5 minutes long, which is wonderful for those of you who are always on the go.
Plus, for €0.99 apiece (approx. $1.04), you’ll have access to each chapter’s worksheet, complete with transcripts, exercises, and answer keys. The podcast addresses both cultural issues and everyday situations so you can really dive into the Portuguese world.
Favorite episode: “A capital de Portugal” for its stunning portrait of Lisbon with its colorful, winding streets, sun-drenched plazas, and crisp sea breeze.
4. Mia’s Portuguese Podcast
Dialect: European Portuguese
Host Mia Esmeriz speaks Portuguese the whole time on this Portuguese podcast 101, which means it can’t be your only learning tool if you’re a first-timer.
That said, she speaks quite slowly and pares vocabulary down to the basics. Last year, she took to sharing every episode’s transcript as well, so beginners will benefit enormously from Mia’s Portuguese Podcast.
Favorite episode: “PortuguĂŞs Brasileiro vs PortuguĂŞs de Portugal”, which takes a deeper look at the sometimes astonishing differences between the Portuguese dialects spoken on either side of the Atlantic.
5. Todo Mundo Pod
Dialect: Brazilian Portuguese
Todo Mundo Pod hasn’t had new releases in almost six months now, but comb through their 200+-entry archive and you’re guaranteed to find plenty of hidden gems.
This is a bilingual podcast that mostly revolves around common phrases, grammar topics, Brazilian pop culture, and tourism in the country.
Favorite episode: “Meaning of ficar pistola, fora da casinha, de fininho and olhe lá”, because it explores some of the funniest expressions in Brazilian Portuguese.
Best Portuguese podcasts for Intermediate Learners
6. Academia CBN
Dialect: Brazilian Portuguese
Celebrity philosopher Mario Sergio Cortella answers his co-hosts’ questions regarding interesting topics we’re often musing on at our most thoughtful moments. That includes faith, ethics, political participation, and more.
Though the refined lingo and subject matters may turn out to be a bit tough for lower-intermediate learners, Academia CBN‘s pocket format (episodes run for seven minutes tops) will keep you motivated.
Favorite episode: “‘Mas as coisas findas, muito mais que lindas, essas ficarĂŁo'”, with its beautiful reflection on memory through the words of two Brazilian poets.
7. Carioca Connection
Dialect: Brazilian Portuguese
This is arguably the best podcast for learning Brazilian Portuguese once you’ve mastered the basics. Hosts Alexia and Foster use each episode to explore multiple aspects of life in Brazil as they teach you grammar and vocab and discuss both exciting and mundane aspects of the country’s culture.
Carioca Connection has been running for seven seasons. If the couple’s bilingual content wins you over, you can join their language club for a ton of useful resources.
Favorite episode: “The Best Of: Saudade – O Real Significado da Palavra”, which is dedicated to saudade, a one-of-kind Portuguese word that roughly translates to “memory of something with a desire for it”.
8. Convença-me num Minuto
Dialect: European Portuguese
This podcast actually targets native speakers, yet its 3-to-4-minute episodes are great for learners in search of a challenge. (Ironically, its name means ”Convince me in one minute”).
Hosts play voiceovers of ordinary people trying to convince them of random things, from growing their pinky toenails to spending an entire day away from their phones.
Convença-me num Minuto may not be the most enlightening podcast ever, but it’s a lot of fun and will teach you a bunch of new words.
Favorite episode: “Convença-me num minuto que a Guerra das Estrelas Ă© real“ (i.e. “Convince me in a minute that Star Wars is real”), just because I love the combo science fiction + pop astronomy.
9. Practice Portuguese
Dialect: European Portuguese
Practice Portuguese is a sort of European version of Carioca Connection (minus the cute couple dynamics).
It doesn’t get new releases very often; still, since it’s been running for almost ten years there are now 100+ episodes for you to study with.
Episodes feature mainly unscripted dialogues between hosts Rui and Joel talking about either a daily life situation or a more elaborate topic (like the unique Portuguese tilework), though older recordings include sketches too.
You can also subscribe to their learning studio and have access to precious material covering speaking, listening, writing, and grammar.
Favorite episode: “A Revolução dos Cravos”, which details how a pack of junior army officers overthrew Portugal’s fascist dictatorship in 1974 while sporting carnations in their gun barrels.
10. Storyglot
Dialect: European Portuguese
Storyglot is the latest project by Susana Morais, a native Portuguese teacher who is behind Portuguese Lab (an awesome and holistic learning tool). Here, she’ll treat you to riveting tales ranging from love stories to zombie apocalypses.
The coolest thing about Storyglot is that each episode is aimed at a different level of language from A1 all the way to B2. Advanced learners, however, won’t benefit much — which leads us to our next section.
Favorite episode: “A metamorfose”, a spooky fable featuring a scarecrow and (fittingly) a murder of crows.
Best Portuguese podcasts for Advanced Learners
11. CiĂŞncia ao PĂ© do Ouvido
Dialect: Brazilian Portuguese
This podcast’s name translates to “Science whispered in your ear”, which sounds almost too sexy for such a serious subject matter. Yet the point here is to attract a larger audience through engaging explanations, so the cute title is fitting.
Since its no. 1 goal is to promote science outside the academic environment, CiĂŞncia ao PĂ© do Ouvido will never focus on obscure topics.
On the contrary, you can expect hosts to discuss whatever everyone is talking about, from the metaverse to mental health and from climate change to gender issues.
Favorite episode: “Oceano: tĂŁo importante e sob ameaça”, because I’m fascinated by the issue at hand here (the ocean).
12. Hollywood Express
Dialect: European Portuguese
If I had to pick a personal favorite among all European Portuguese podcasts, this would definitely be it. The name is somewhat misleading, though: Hollywood Express covers far more than American movies, TV shows (and the occasional backstage gossip).
It also features episodes centered on local and transatlantic productions, which is terrific for that touch of native culture that you’ll need to truly understand the Portuguese-speaking world.
Favorite episode: “Especial ‘Dune (Duna)’“, for perfectly reflecting the epic atmosphere of Denis Villeneuve’s space opera.
13. Janela Aberta
Dialect: European Portuguese
Podcasts are great for some insightful freewheeling, which is clearly host Miguel Luz’s gift. The Youtuber-turned-musician will talk about anything that comes to mind (really), including chess, old movies, and even nail-biting.
But make sure you know your way around European Portuguese before diving in; I’m a native speaker myself and I could barely get through his thick Lisbon accent.
Favorite episode: “açores sozinho, retiro Upaya, fazer mergulho, moca de meditação, cagarros”, where Luz relates his experiences in a spiritual retreat, among yoga, meditation, and surfing.
14. Mano a Mano
Dialect: Brazilian Portuguese
If you’re looking to explore Brazilian politics and culture a bit further, this is the guy you should be listening to. Legendary rapper Mano Brown interviews all the folks that matter in the country in a thought-provoking and passionate style.
On Mano a Mano, you’ll get to hear what popular musicians, actors, thinkers, and two former presidents (thus far) have to say. What’s more, you can practice your SĂŁo Paulo accent thanks to Brown’s unmistakable flow.
Favorite episode: “Mano Brown recebe Lula”; this is Brazil at its best (and in a nutshell). Brown interviews his friend and Brazil’s former President Lula da Silva for two hours’ worth of insights, one-liners, and powerful stories.
15. Pelada na Net
Dialect: Brazilian Portuguese
Pelada na Net may be a tad too chaotic for some listeners, but that’s precisely what makes it this much fun. It covers the latest news from Planet Soccer (both international and domestic) with a sprinkle of pop culture to lighten things up.
Episodes sometimes run for as long as 90 minutes, though an hour is the podcast’s average length. Once in a while, Pelada na Net also airs “halftime” episodes concentrating exclusively on pop culture topics like blockbuster movies and memes.
Favorite episode: “O Brasil É Favoritaço” — call it wishful thinking, yet hosts argue the Brazilian national team is a clear-cut favorite for the World Cup in Qatar (and I’m all for it).
Conclusion
There are a few tricks you can try to learn even faster with Portuguese podcasts. Slow down the pace whenever you miss an important concept — but do avoid repeating the recording too often or you might get bored.
In case you have some extra time, read the transcripts as you listen; you’ll be sure to understand every single word as well as cover grammar and spelling more thoroughly.
Finally, you should pick a handful of podcasts focusing on multiple topics and targeted at different levels of language, so you can expand your vocabulary on several fronts and challenge yourself as you go.
I’m positive these tips, coupled with the right podcasts for your learning needs, will lead you all the way to fluency faster than you expect. And for a well-rounded learning journey, do check out apps, books, and online courses to master Portuguese.
Top Portuguese podcasts for language learners – Pin it!
