Obrigado or Obrigada – Which One Is Correct and When to Use It?

If you are learning Portuguese, traveling to Brazil or Portugal, or chatting with Portuguese speakers online, you have probably searched for “obrigado or obrigada.”

It looks like a simple question, but it confuses many learners. Both words mean thank you, yet they are not interchangeable in every situation. Using the wrong one can sound odd, even if people still understand you.

This confusion happens because English has only one form of thank you, while Portuguese changes words based on gender. New learners often assume obrigado is always correct, or they think the word changes based on who they are speaking to. That is not true—and that misunderstanding is exactly why people search for this keyword.

This article solves that confusion clearly and quickly. You will learn the exact rule, where these words come from, how they are used in real life, and which one you should use based on you, not the listener. By the end, you will be confident saying obrigado or obrigada correctly in emails, conversations, and social media—every time.

Obrigado or Obrigada – Quick Answer

Obrigado and obrigada both mean “thank you” in Portuguese.

Use “obrigado” if you identify as male
Use “obrigada” if you identify as female

Examples:

A man says: Obrigado pela ajuda. (Thank you for the help.)
A woman says: Obrigada pela ajuda.

👉 The word changes based on the speaker, not the person you are thanking.

The Origin of Obrigado or Obrigada

The word obrigado comes from Latin obligatus, meaning “obliged” or “bound by gratitude.” In older Portuguese, saying obrigado meant “I am obliged to you.”

Because it describes the speaker, the word behaves like an adjective. Portuguese adjectives agree with gender:

Masculine: obrigado
Feminine: obrigada

This is why two spellings exist. It is not slang or modern grammar—it is a rule rooted in the language’s history.

British English vs American English Spelling

This comparison does not apply in the usual way.

Portuguese does not change spelling based on British or American English rules.
The difference between obrigado and obrigada is gender-based, not regional.

Comparison Table

Aspect	British English	American English	Portuguese
Spelling change	Colour / Color	Color	Obrigado / Obrigada
Rule type	Regional	Regional	Gender-based
Applies here?	❌ No	❌ No	✅ Yes

Which Spelling Should You Use?

Use the form that matches your gender identity:

Male speakers (global): obrigado
Female speakers (global): obrigada
Mixed or neutral groups: often obrigado (default masculine in grammar)
Non-binary speakers: many use obrigado or choose based on comfort

This rule is the same in Brazil, Portugal, and all Portuguese-speaking countries.

Common Mistakes with Obrigado or Obrigada

❌ Using the listener’s gender
✔ Use your own gender

❌ Thinking one form is more polite
✔ Both are equally polite

❌ Changing spelling by country
✔ The rule is global

❌ Avoiding one because of fear
✔ Native speakers understand learners—use it confidently

Obrigado or Obrigada in Everyday Examples

Emails

Obrigado pelo seu tempo. (Male)
Obrigada pela resposta rápida. (Female)

Social Media

Obrigada a todos pelo apoio!
Obrigado por compartilhar.

News & Interviews

O ator disse: “Obrigado aos fãs.”
A cantora respondeu: “Obrigada pelo carinho.”

Formal Writing

Obrigada pela atenção.
Obrigado pela oportunidade.

Obrigado or Obrigada – Google Trends & Usage Data

Search data shows “obrigado” is searched more often globally. This happens because:

Many learners default to the masculine form
Dictionaries list obrigado first
Male form is often taught initially

However, in real usage, both forms are equally correct and widely used, especially in Brazil.

Comparison Table: Obrigado vs Obrigada

Word	Meaning	Used By	Example
Obrigado	Thank you	Male speaker	Obrigado pela ajuda
Obrigada	Thank you	Female speaker	Obrigada pela ajuda

FAQs

1. Do obrigado and obrigada mean the same thing?
Yes. Both mean thank you.

2. Do I change the word based on who I thank?
No. Only your gender matters.

3. Is obrigado more common than obrigada?
Yes, in searches—but both are correct.

4. Is obrigada used only in Brazil?
No. It is used everywhere Portuguese is spoken.

5. Can I always say obrigado?
Grammatically, only if you identify as male.

6. Is it rude to use the wrong one?
No, but it sounds incorrect.

7. What if I am not sure?
Choose the form that matches your identity or is most comfortable.

Conclusion

The difference between obrigado or obrigada is simple once you know the rule. Both words mean thank you, but the spelling changes based on the speaker’s gender, not the listener, location, or formality. This rule comes from the word’s origin, where obrigado means “I am obliged.”

There is no British or American spelling difference here, and there is no polite or impolite version. The choice is personal, grammatical, and consistent across all Portuguese-speaking countries. Learning this small detail makes your Portuguese sound more natural and respectful.

If you remember just one thing, remember this: thank you in Portuguese agrees with you. Use obrigado if you are male, obrigada if you are female, and speak with confidence.