Question Words in Portuguese (Brazil)

In Portuguese, question words (interrogatives) are essential for gathering information. Here is a clear guide on how to use the most common interrogative words correctly:

1. Quem (Who)

Quem translates to "who" and is generally followed by a verb in the singular form.

• Quem pegou a minha caneta? (Who took my pen?)

However, when used with the verb ser (to be), the verb can take a plural form to match a plural subject.

• Quem são aqueles homens ali? (Who are those men over there?)

2. Quanto(s) / Quanta(s) (How much / How many)

When asking about quantities, quanto must agree in gender and number with the noun it refers to.

• Quantas horas você levou para vir até aqui? (How many hours did it take you to get here?)

If used as an adverb (modifying a verb), quanto remains invariable (does not change).

• Quanto você pagou? (How much did you pay?)

Note: In indirect questions, you can place the article o before it for emphasis (e.g., o quanto).

3. Como (How / What... like)

Como is used to ask "how" or to inquire about someone's or something's characteristics.

• Como vai? (How are you?)
• Como é a sua namorada? (What is your girlfriend like?)

Special uses: If someone says something you didn't hear, you can say just "Como?" (Sorry?). The longer phrase "Como é que é?" is often used to express impatience or disbelief (What did you just say?).

4. Onde / Aonde (Where / Where to)

Onde is used to ask about a static location, while aonde implies movement or direction.

• Onde você mora? (Where do you live?)

In everyday spoken Brazilian Portuguese, these two words are often used interchangeably.

5. Quando (When)

To ask about time, simply use quando.

• Quando você chegou? (When did you arrive?)

6. Por que / Por quê (Why)

Por que means "why." If it appears at the very end of a sentence (or right before a punctuation mark), it must be spelled with a circumflex accent: por quê.

• Por que você não manda um e-mail para ela? (Why don't you send her an email?)
• Você não foi à festa por quê? (You didn't go to the party, why?)

7. Para que / Para quê (What for)

Similar to the rule for "why", para que means "what for." When it falls at the end of a sentence, it becomes para quê.

• Para que serve isso? (What is this for?)
• Você quer dinheiro para quê? (What do you want money for?)

8. Quão (How - with adjectives/adverbs)

Quão translates to "how" when quantifying adjectives and adverbs, usually in written or formal indirect questions.

• Quão fiel é a tradução ao original? (How faithful is the translation to the original?)

Just like quanto, it can take a preceding o for emphasis (e.g., o quão).