Free European Portuguese Course · Lesson 5 of 8
ASKING QUESTIONS
Asking Questions: Portuguese Question Words
You cannot have a real conversation without asking questions. Learn the seven words that unlock everything from directions to small talk.
What You will Learn
- Use all seven core question words correctly
- Understand where question words go in a sentence
- Ask yes/no questions without any extra word (unlike English)
- Combine question words with verbs you already know
The Seven Question Words
| Portuguese | English | Example |
|---|---|---|
| O quê? | What? | O que é isto? (What is this?) |
| Quem? | Who? | Quem é você? (Who are you?) |
| Onde? | Where? | Onde fica o banheiro/a casa de banho? (Where is the bathroom?) |
| Quando? | When? | Quando começa? (When does it start?) |
| Porquê / Por que? | Why? | Porque não? (Why not?) |
| Como? | How? | Como funciona? (How does it work?) |
| Quanto/a? | How much? | Quanto custa? (How much does it cost?) |
Yes/No Questions Are Easier Than English
In English you need "do/does" to ask a question — "Do you speak Portuguese?" In Portuguese, you can turn any statement into a question just by raising your pitch at the end, no extra word needed.
| Statement | Question |
|---|---|
| Você fala português. (You speak Portuguese.) | Você fala português? (Do you speak Portuguese?) |
| Há uma farmácia aqui. (There is a pharmacy here.) | Há uma farmácia aqui? (Is there a pharmacy here?) |
Word Order With Question Words
Question words almost always come first in the sentence, just like English:
Onde + verb + subject/rest — "Onde fica a estação?" (Where is the station?)
Quando + verb + subject/rest — "Quando chega o autocarro?" (When does the bus arrive?)
Practice What You Just Learned
- How would you ask "Where is the bathroom?"
Show answer
"Onde fica a casa de banho?"
- Turn the statement "Você tem tempo" (You have time) into a question, without adding any extra word.
Show answer
"Você tem tempo?" — just raise your pitch at the end.
- How do you ask "How much does it cost?"
Show answer
"Quanto custa?"