In this Portuguese lesson you will learn how to use 3 question words in Portuguese: O que, Que, and Qual. They all mean what, but are not usually interchangeable.
Portuguese language textbooks don’t really explain when to use – and not to use – these question words in Portuguese. Obviously it’s not just a matter of translation that we’re dealing with here. What you need is practical tips.
Fret no more. My pro tips will help you use these question words correctly in Brazilian Portuguese.
I also have a different lesson about the question words Quem (who), Quando (when), and Como (how).
When to use O QUE
- O que = what
The textbook explanation is that you use o que when you are asking for a definition or an explanation.
Pro tip: O que is followed by a pronoun (você, ele, esse) or a verb (ser, acontecer).
- O que você vai pedir? = What are you going to order?
- O que ele disse? = What did he say?
- O que esse homem quer comigo? = What does this man want with me?
- O que é “zero bala”? = What is “zero bala”?
- O que aconteceu? = What happened?
In Portugal, these four questions would probably just use Que. In Brazil we use O que.
Keep this in mind:
O que is never followed by a noun. That’s when we use que instead. Keep reading.
When to use QUE (and not to use O QUE)
- Que = what
The textbook explanation is that you use o que when you are asking for a definition or an explanation (same as above).
Pro tip: Que is followed by a noun.
- Que tipo de música você mais escuta? = What kind of music do you listen to the most?
- Que livro você está lendo? = What book are you reading?
- Que comidas eles serviram na festa? = What foods did they serve at the party?
- Que cidades você já visitou no Brasil? = What cities have you visited in Brazil?
- Que barulho é esse? = What is this noise?
How about QUAL?
- Qual = what
The textbook explanation is that you use qual to ask what when the answer is not a definition or an explanation.
Here’s how I think about qual: The answer is usually one of many options in a list of possibilities. It’s as if you are asking: “Out of all the possibilities of …, which one is it?” This sounds a bit awkward, but it will help you understand when to use qual. With practice, it will get into auto-pilot mode and you won’t have to think about it anymore.
Let me clarify with examples. Notice that in the examples qual is followed by the verb ser. The verb could be omitted from these questions.
- Qual é o seu telefone? = What is your phone (number)?
(Out of all the possible phone numbers, which one is yours?)
- Qual é o seu endereço? = What is your address?
(Out of all the addresses in the phone book, which one is yours?)
- Qual é o seu gênero de filme preferido? = What is your favorite movie genre?
- Qual é o cargo dele na empresa? = What is his position with the company?
More about QUAL
- Qual = which
When qual means which, it is followed by a noun.
You can usually use either qual or que with this meaning.
- Qual carro você comprou? = Which car did you buy?
Que carro você comprou? = What car did you buy?
- Qual proposta você vai aceitar? = Which offer will you accept?
Que proposta você vai aceitar? = What offer will you accept?
The plural of QUAL is QUAIS
You need the plural when the noun that follows qual is in its plural form.
- Quais livros você leu recentemente? = Which books have you read recently?
Que livros você leu recentemente? = What books have you read recently?
- Quais restaurantes você recomenda em Salvador? = Which restaurants do you recommend in Salvador?
Que restaurantes você recomenda em Salvador? = What restaurants do you recommend in Salvador?
To speak Portuguese with confidence you need to practice with real people in real conversations.
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Thank you for a clear explanation! Great post!
Que bom 🙂 Obrigada, Miko!
Excellent post. Really! Thank you!!!!
Muito obrigada!
Do you have video to understand “que” in sentence? Nos temos “que” ir embora agora.
or why is it said “voce tem que trabalhar primeiro”
Oi, Carlton. I do not have a video just about QUE. QUE has many functions.
With the verb Ter, as in the example you mentioned (Nós temos que ir embora) it does not translate well to English. You just have to learn that if you want to say “I have to do something”, you say “Eu tenho que fazer algo”. You learn the pattern and follow it.
In this particular meaning of having to do something, we can also use DE. Eu tenho de fazer algo. Nós temos de ir embora. It has the same meaning.
muito obrigado Dona Luciana I do plan to take lessons with you upon completion of basic learning. I will know what I am saying by this point.
Ótimo!
Great content as usual. Just a bit of nit-picking: in the section on “o que” you say “In Portugal, these four questions would probably just use Que.” The problem is there are five questions leaving us to guess which four you meant. 🙂
Very, very helpful. You are very good at explaining the language. Excellent even!!!
muito obrigada!
Thank you! You helped clear up a lot! I am just still confused on the word “que” by itself. I have also seen it mean something close to the word “that” in English and then sometimes I have no idea how it’s being used (like a preposition). Would love some help on that!
It is used like “that” or “who”. O livro que recomendo = the book that I recommend. A pessoa que conheci = The person who I met.
Isso é muito útil!
Obrigada!
Thank you so much again!!! I learned a lot!
Alan
Fico feliz 🙂 Obrigada!