Questions - Perguntas

Asking questions in Portuguese

Where? Onde?

• De onde você é? – Where are you from
• Onde está a cadeira? – Where is the chair?

The article “a” should agree in gender and number with the noun. In this case chair is a feminine and singular word, thus the article “a” was used

• Onde estão os carros? – Where are the cars?

In this case carros is a masculine and a plural word, thus the article “os” was used.

• Onde você mora? Where do you live?

The verb morar means to live, and must agree with the person. In this case with você (you)

• Onde vocês moram? Where do you live?

The verb morar means to live, and must agree with the person. In this case with the vocês is the plural form for the word you

Who? Quem?

• Quem é você? Who are you?
• Quem são vocês? Who are you?

In this case the verb ser – to be – must agree with the person vocês.

• Quem é ela? Who is she?

What? O que?

• O que é isso? What is this?
• O que você faz? What do you do?

When? Quando?

• Quando você vai viajar? When are you going to travel?
• Quando você joga futebol? When do you play soccer?

Why….because – Por que…….porque

• Carlos – Por que você está em casa? Why are you at home?
• Célia – Porque estou doente! Because I’m sick.

Note that in question the word “por que” comes separated and in the answer “porque” comes together.

How many/much? Quanto? /Quantos/ Quantas

• Quanto custa isso? / Quanto isso custa? How much is this?

When asking about the price of something the sentence “Quanto custa” must be used

• Quanto custa esta camisa? / Quanto custa esta camisa? How much does this shirt cost?
• Quantos livros você tem? How many books do you have?

In this case, when asking about quantity or amount the word “Quantos” must agree with the noun livros (books).

• Quantas revistas você comprou? How many magazines did you buy?

In this case, when asking about quantity or amount the word “Quantas” must agree with the noun revistas (magazines).