Best Portuguese Textbooks: Top Picks for European & Brazilian Portuguese

Choosing the right textbook for learning Portuguese can be overwhelming—there are so many options, but not all are worth your time or money.

In this guide, I’ll help you find the best Portuguese textbooks, grammar books, and story collections tailored for language learners. Whether you’re a beginner or looking to deepen your knowledge, you’ll discover resources that truly make a difference

You’ll find book recommendations for both European Portuguese (PT) and Brazilian Portuguese (BR) specifically.

This is a fantastic series of well-rounded textbooks by Lidel Editora. If you’re looking for a structured and consistent way to develop all your language skills, these books won’t disappoint.

The series includes four volumes, each tailored to different proficiency levels. Plus, they all come with downloadable audio materials to enhance your listening practice.

Português em foco 1 A1/A2
Português em foco 2 B1
Português em foco 3 B2
Português em foco 4 C1/C2

Each book is structured into thematic chapters, progressing in complexity. The first two volumes focus on everyday life situations, using direct and concrete language. The third and fourth volumes shift towards Portuguese history and culture, introducing more advanced and abstract language.

In every chapter, you’ll develop all key language skills—listening, reading, writing, and speaking—always within the context of the chapter’s theme. Additionally, each chapter highlights a specific grammar topic to reinforce learning.

At the end of each chapter, a revision section with exercises helps consolidate your newly acquired knowledge, with answer keys provided at the back of the book.

You’ll also have access to full transcripts for all listening exercises. Plus, a comprehensive glossary includes translations of all vocabulary into English, German, French, and Spanish.

This comprehensive coursebook suite includes three volumes and nine audio CDs, making it the most effective self-study resource I’ve come across for Brazilian Portuguese.

It’s a high-value investment, designed to take you from an absolute beginner to an advanced level (A1–C1).

Living Language Brazilian Portuguese A1–C1

These books combine textbooks and workbooks in one, offering plenty of exercises and drills to help you fully absorb each unit’s content. You’ll develop all key language skills—vocabulary, grammar, pronunciation, listening, reading, writing, and speaking—ensuring well-rounded progress.

Brazilian culture is seamlessly integrated, allowing you to learn not just the language but also the country’s cultural nuances. The course places a strong emphasis on colloquial speech, helping you understand how people actually communicate in everyday life. It also provides insights into regional pronunciation differences—essential in a country as large as Brazil.

Additional online learning resources are included to further support your progress.

This textbook is a more budget-friendly alternative to the previous one, yet it still provides a strong foundation in Brazilian Portuguese, guiding you to a low-intermediate level. It’s well-suited for self-study learners.

Complete Brazilian Portuguese A1-B1

The book features authentic conversations, vocabulary highlights, and clear grammar explanations to help you communicate effectively in everyday situations. Along the way, you’ll also gain valuable insights into Brazilian culture, enhancing both your language skills and cultural awareness.

This is an excellent grammar reference book published by Routledge. Though concise, it provides a comprehensive overview of Portuguese grammar—all explained in English.

Suitable for both self-study learners and students in formal classes, this book covers all proficiency levels. I highly recommend it.

Portuguese – An Essential Grammar

This book is user-friendly and free of unnecessary jargon, presenting Portuguese grammar in concise, easy-to-read sections. It’s a reliable reference you can turn to whenever you need clarification.

It is divided into four parts:

1. Grammar Structure – Covers Portuguese grammar systematically, word class by word class.
2. Practical Usage – Provides an overview of Portuguese in everyday situations, much like a phrasebook.
3. Brazilian Portuguese – Highlights key differences and unique aspects of Brazilian Portuguese.
4. The Portuguese-Speaking World – Explores the historical and cultural background of Lusophone countries.

With its clear structure and practical approach, this book is a valuable resource for learners at any level.

This is, without a doubt, the most comprehensive and practical grammar book specifically for Brazilian Portuguese (published by Routledge). It’s suitable for all proficiency levels.

Unlike many grammar books that focus on overly formal language, this one reflects the natural, everyday usage of Brazilian Portuguese—making it far more relevant for real-world communication.

Modern Brazilian Portuguese Grammar: A Practical Guide

Written in clear, jargon-free language, this book breaks down Portuguese grammar into easy-to-digest explanations. It’s a reliable reference you can turn to whenever you need guidance.

For those who want extra practice, a companion workbook is also available (see below).

Modern Brazilian Portuguese Grammar

These self-study grammar books come in two volumes, each designed for different levels of proficiency: beginner/lower-intermediate (A1–B1) and upper-intermediate (B2–C1).

Gramática Aplicada A1–B1 
Gramática Aplicada B2–C1

Each unit is laid out across two pages: the left page provides a clear, concise explanation of a specific grammar topic, while the right page offers exercises for practice.

I personally recommend these books as they are well-structured and pragmatic. However, if you’re learning Portuguese on your own, it’s important to note that the instruction is in Portuguese. While studying grammar in the target language is certainly possible, it might be a bit challenging for beginners.

This book, published by Lidel Editora, is ideal for all Portuguese learners up to the intermediate level, especially those struggling with long-term word retention.

It offers 133 vocabulary exercises and activities across a range of topics, including family, hobbies, shopping, sports, food, clothing, and more. At the end of the book, you’ll find the answer key for all the drills.

Praticar Português A1-A2

The Oxford Portuguese Dictionaries are the most authoritative English-Portuguese / Portuguese-English dictionaries available.

The extended edition covers both European and Brazilian Portuguese and contains over 200,000 words and phrases. Designed for both Portuguese and English speakers, it includes the latest vocabulary across fields like computing, business, and media.

Its user-friendly layout presents the most common sense of each word first. With over 130,000 real-life example phrases, it helps you understand meanings and usage accurately. The dictionary also includes valuable features such as cultural notes, Portuguese verb tables, and a list of irregular English verbs.

Oxford Portuguese Dictionary

The compact version covers essential day-to-day vocabulary with over 40,000 words and phrases, along with 60,000 translations. It’s user-friendly and perfect for travel, work, or study.

Oxford Essential Portuguese Dictionary

This affordable, pocket-sized phrasebook by Collins makes a great travel companion. Whether you’re booking a hotel room, ordering a meal at a restaurant, or asking for directions, it provides the phrases or words you need.

Collins Gem Portuguese Phrasebook & Dictionary

Even if you’re not traveling, this phrasebook is useful for any language learner, especially beginners. Browsing through it periodically helps expand and consolidate your vocabulary.

This practical phrasebook by Lonely Planet is perfect for travelers and beginners. It provides a comprehensive selection of useful words and phrases for a variety of situations, such as checking into a hotel, ordering at a restaurant, buying train tickets, asking for directions, and more.

Lonely Planet Brazilian Portuguese Phrasebook & Dictionary 

It also features a 3,500-word two-way dictionary, essential cultural and etiquette tips, and pronunciation guidance.

It’s widely known that vocabulary retention is improved when words are associated with images. This illustrated dictionary by Porto Editora is suitable for beginners.

Dicionário Ilustrado

The volume is organized into thematic units related to everyday life, with each word paired with a corresponding illustration.

PT-EN Bilingual Visual Dictionary

Additionally, the book comes with a free audio app available on the Apple Store or Google Play, allowing you to learn the pronunciation of everyday words and phrases.

Learning Portuguese doesn’t have to feel like a chore. With the right materials, such as engaging stories, the journey can quickly become enjoyable and fulfilling.

As a Portuguesepedia member, you have access to a catalog of stories specially crafted for language learners like you. Let these stories take your Portuguese to the next level.

Explore Our Catalog

Published by Lidel Editora, these books feature short stories specifically designed for language learners.

Contos com Nível A1
Contos com Nível A2
Contos com Nível B1
Contos com Nível B2

Each story includes side notes to help you understand idiomatic expressions. At the end of every story, you’ll find comprehension questions, with answers provided in the back of the book.

Reading in your target language is a highly effective way to boost vocabulary retention while also developing a natural feel for idiomatic expressions. Additionally, reading helps you learn grammar structures effortlessly, as you absorb them in context.