Hello, in Portuguese — NYT Mini Crossword Clue (October 15, 2025)
The closing Down clue delivers a language refresher. Below you will find the confirmed fill, linguistic background, and solver-friendly strategies. Apostrophes render as ' and quotation marks as " for HTML consistency.
5 Down
Hello, in Portuguese
The answer OLA represents the standard informal greeting in Portuguese. Word Tips notes the letter-by-letter reveal, helping solvers lock in this vowel-heavy entry even if they do not speak the language.
Why OLA Fits the Clue
Language Insight
- OLA is the Portuguese counterpart to “hola” in Spanish, minus the initial h. The clue's direct definition leaves no room for alternates.
- Word Tips explicitly mentions the reveal mechanic, guiding toward this exact spelling.
- Three-letter greetings are common crossword glue; OLA joins OLA, ALO, and OYE as regulars.
Crossing Certainty
- 1-Across PCS secures its linked position.
- 4-Across WAHOO secures its linked position.
- 6-Across SPILL secures its linked position.
- 7-Across JULIA secures its linked position.
- 8-Across ADD secures its linked position.
- 1-Down PAPUA reinforces the vowel and final consonant.
- 2-Down CHILD reinforces the vowel and final consonant.
- 3-Down SOLID reinforces the vowel and final consonant.
- 4-Down WSJ reinforces the vowel and final consonant.
Strategy & Linguistic Connections
Recognize International Clues
When a clue references a language explicitly, expect short, recognizable words. OLA is a mainstay because of its simplicity and broad awareness.
Rely on Crossings
Even if Portuguese is unfamiliar, the surrounding fills provide airtight verification thanks to high-certainty entries.
Track Vowel Patterns
Crossword constructors love alternating vowel-consonant patterns. OLA's O-L-A structure locks in quickly once you place the first O.
Compare Romance Languages
Ola resembles Spanish hola and Galician ola, so even cross-language knowledge helps confirm the entry.
Vocabulary & Travel Notes
Related Greetings
- OI (casual Brazilian greeting)
- BOM DIA (good morning)
- BOA TARDE (good afternoon)
- BOA NOITE (good evening/night)
- TCHAU (goodbye)
Cultural Context
- Used throughout Portugal and Brazil
- Informal but universally understood
- Often accompanied by a handshake or kiss on cheek
- Can be used at any time of day
Crossword Pattern Recognition
Common Foreign Words
- OLA (Portuguese hello) - Today's answer
- HOLA (Spanish hello) - Similar variant
- OUI (French yes) - Another common crossword entry
- SI (Spanish/Italian yes) - Frequent fill
Three-Letter Patterns
- Vowel-heavy words like OLA are constructor favorites
- Easy to cross with common consonant patterns
- International words provide variety in grids
- Language clues are straightforward for solvers
Solving Tips for Language Clues
Think Romance Languages
Portuguese, Spanish, French, Italian, and Romanian share many common short words that appear frequently in crosswords.
Use Crossings
Even if you don't know the language, crossing words often provide enough letters to confidently fill in foreign language answers.
Look for Patterns
Language clues typically point to basic words like greetings, numbers, or common expressions that most solvers might recognize.
Today's Crossword Context
5-Down OLA fits perfectly into the October 15, 2025 NYT Mini Crossword grid, intersecting with several across answers that provide strong confirmation letters. The position as the final down clue makes it a satisfying conclusion to this accessible puzzle.
Grid Placement
As 5-Down, OLA likely crosses with one or more across answers, providing additional confirmation for solvers working through the puzzle. The vowel-heavy nature of OLA makes it particularly useful for constructors when creating interlocking word patterns.