How to say hello in Portuguese. Posted on 12. Aug, 2008 by Transparent Language in Learning. Since it’s been a while since we’ve gone way back to basics, today we’re going to look at how to greet someone in Brazilian Portuguese. 1. Ola! [olá-OH]. Lah this “means!” Hello’it s the more formal way to say. hello. 2! [oi]. Oy this “means.” Hi’it s the slightly less formal way to say. hello