A1 · Principiante Capítulo 18

Asking Questions and Describing Existence

4 Reglas totales
41 ejemplos
5 min
Reglas en este capítulo Práctica rápida

Chapter in 30 Seconds

Master the art of asking for what you need and describing the world around you in Portuguese.

  • Distinguish between asking for information and requesting items.
  • Identify the difference between formal and colloquial ways to describe existence.
  • Apply these structures to navigate daily life in Brazil or Portugal.
Ask, request, and exist with total confidence.

Lo que aprenderás

Hey there, future Portuguese speaker! Get ready to unlock some super essential communication skills in this exciting new chapter. We're diving deep into how to ask questions and describe what exists around you, making your conversations flow naturally. First up, we'll tackle the crucial difference between two verbs: 'perguntar' and 'pedir'. Think of 'perguntar' as asking to *know* something – like asking for information,

What time is it?
On the other hand, 'pedir' is for asking to *get* something, whether it's ordering a delicious pizza, asking for a favor, or even hailing an Uber. Mastering this distinction will instantly boost your ability to express your needs clearly! Next, we'll learn how to say there is or there are in Portuguese. You'll discover 'Há', a more formal and invariable way to express existence or denote time passed. But here's a secret for sounding like a local in casual Brazilian Portuguese: you'll often hear and use 'tem'. We'll show you exactly when and how to switch between them to sound completely natural. Imagine yourself confidently ordering your favorite meal at a bustling Rio de Janeiro restaurant, asking for directions to that hidden beach, or simply describing what's in your new apartment. By the end of this chapter, you won't just know the rules; you'll be able to actively ask for information, make requests, and describe your surroundings with ease. This is foundational for real-world interactions, and trust us, it's totally achievable and incredibly rewarding!

Learning Objectives

By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:

  1. 1
    By the end you will be able to: Ask for information using 'perguntar' and request items using 'pedir'.
  2. 2
    By the end you will be able to: Describe the existence of people and objects using 'há' and 'ter'.

Guía del capítulo

Overview

Hey there, future Portuguese speaker! Welcome to a super exciting chapter that will immediately boost your ability to connect and communicate in Portuguese. This guide focuses on two fundamental aspects of A1 Portuguese grammar: asking questions and describing what exists around you.
Mastering these skills is absolutely crucial for real-world interactions, whether you're navigating a new city, making friends, or simply describing your day. We'll dive into the nuances of asking for information versus asking for things, and how to express there is or there are like a native.
Understanding the difference between perguntar and pedir is a cornerstone of effective communication. It allows you to clearly express whether you're seeking knowledge or making a request. Similarly, learning to use Há and tem for existence will unlock your ability to describe your surroundings, ask about availability, and even talk about time.
This Portuguese grammar A1 chapter provides the foundational tools you need to engage in basic conversations, making your learning journey both practical and incredibly rewarding. Get ready to transform your passive knowledge into active communication!

How This Grammar Works

Let's break down the essential grammar rules for asking questions in Portuguese and describing existence Portuguese. First, we have The Verb 'Perguntar'. This verb means to ask when you are seeking information. Think of it as asking *to know* something. For example:
* Eu pergunto a hora. (I ask the time.)
* Você pergunta o nome dele? (Do you ask his name?)
Next, we explore How to Ask for Things & Order Food (Pedir). The verb pedir also means to ask, but specifically when you are asking *to get* something, making a request, or ordering. This is key for practical situations!
* Eu peço uma pizza. (I ask for a pizza / I order a pizza.)
* Ele pede ajuda. (He asks for help.)
Now, let's look at Saying 'There Is/Are' (Há). The verb haver (in its impersonal form há) is the more formal and grammatically correct way to say there is or there are. It is invariable, meaning it doesn't change for singular or plural, and it can also denote time passed.
* Há um livro na mesa. (There is a book on the table.)
* Há muitas pessoas aqui. (There are many people here.)
* Há dois anos. (Two years ago / There are two years.)
Finally, we have Using 'Ter' for 'There is/are' (Colloquial). While há is standard, in everyday Brazilian Portuguese, you'll frequently hear and use tem (from the verb ter, to have) to mean there is or there are. This is more informal and common in spoken language.
* Tem um livro na mesa. (There is a book on the table.)
* Tem muitas pessoas aqui. (There are many people here.)
* Tem café? (Is there coffee?) This colloquial usage is vital for sounding natural.

Common Mistakes

  1. 1✗ Wrong: Eu peço a hora.
✓ Correct: Eu pergunto a hora.
*Explanation:* You use perguntar when you're asking for information (like the time), not when you're asking *to get* something.
  1. 1✗ Wrong: Hão muitos livros.
✓ Correct: Há muitos livros.
*Explanation:* The impersonal form há is always singular, even when referring to multiple items. It never changes to hões or «hás.»
  1. 1✗ Wrong: Você tem um copo d'água? (meaning
    Is there a glass of water?
    )
✓ Correct: Tem um copo d'água? (or Há um copo d'água?)
*Explanation:* While ter means to have, when used impersonally for there is/are, it's typically just tem, not conjugated with a subject like você unless you mean
Do *you* have a glass of water?
.

Real Conversations

A

A

Oi! Você pode me perguntar o nome da rua? (Hi! Can you ask me the name of the street?)
B

B

Claro! Qual é o nome da rua? (Of course! What is the name of the street?)
A

A

Com licença, posso pedir um café, por favor? (Excuse me, can I order a coffee, please?)
B

B

Sim, claro. Mais alguma coisa? (Yes, of course. Anything else?)
A

A

Tem um caixa eletrônico por aqui? (Is there an ATM around here?)
B

B

Sim, há um caixa ali, perto da padaria. (Yes, there's an ATM there, near the bakery.)

Quick FAQ

Q

What is the main difference between perguntar and pedir in Portuguese?

Perguntar means to ask for information (to *know* something), while pedir means to ask for a request, a favor, or to order something (to *get* something).

Q

When should I use há versus tem for there is/are in Portuguese?

Há is the formal, grammatically standard, and invariable form, often used in writing or more formal speech. Tem is the very common, colloquial, and informal way to say there is/are in spoken Brazilian Portuguese.

Q

How do I form a basic question in A1 Portuguese?

Often, you can simply raise your voice at the end of a statement, or add a question word like onde (where), quando (when), quem (who), or o quê (what) at the beginning. For example, Você é brasileiro? (Are you Brazilian?).

Q

Can tem also mean has in Portuguese?

Yes! The verb ter primarily means to have (e.g., Eu tenho um carro - I have a car). Its use as there is/are (Tem um carro aqui - There is a car here) is a common colloquialism in Brazilian Portuguese.

Cultural Context

In Brazil, the use of tem for there is/are is overwhelmingly dominant in everyday spoken language. While há is understood and used in formal contexts or written Portuguese, relying on tem will make you sound much more natural and integrated into local conversations. When making requests with pedir, adding polite phrases like por favor (please) and com licença (excuse me) is always appreciated and shows respect.
Don't be afraid to use tem – it's a hallmark of casual Brazilian Portuguese!

Ejemplos clave (2)

1

Eu peço um café com leite, por favor.

Pediré un café con leche, por favor.

Cómo pedir cosas y comida (Verbo Pedir)
2

Você pede o Uber ou eu peço?

¿Pides tú el Uber o lo pido yo?

Cómo pedir cosas y comida (Verbo Pedir)

Consejos y trucos (4)

🎯

El atajo del Zap

En Brasil, antes de preguntar algo personal por WhatsApp, sé educado y rompe el hielo:
Posso te perguntar uma coisa?
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Hacer preguntas: El verbo 'Perguntar'
💡

¡Olvídate de las preposiciones!

No intentes poner 'por' después de pedir. ¡Ya viene incluido en el verbo! Di Pedir pizza, no pedir por pizza.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Cómo pedir cosas y comida (Verbo Pedir)
⚠️

No lo pluralices

Nunca digas 'hão' para decir 'hay'. 'Há' es como un superhéroe que derrota solo a los problemas:
Há muitos problemas aqui.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Decir 'Hay' (Há)
🎯

El secreto del plural

Los nativos casi nunca pluralizan 'tem' cuando significa 'hay'. Mantenlo en singular para sonar natural: Tem dois livros.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Usar 'Ter' como 'Hay' (Coloquial)

Vocabulario clave (6)

perguntar to ask (a question) pedir to ask for / to order há there is / there are tem there is / there are (colloquial) ajuda help informação information

Real-World Preview

coffee

At a Cafe in Lisbon

Review Summary

  • Perguntar + [question/info]
  • Pedir + [object]
  • Há + [noun]
  • Tem + [noun]

Errores comunes

You are seeking knowledge, not a physical object, so use 'perguntar'.

Wrong: Eu peço uma informação.
Correcto: Eu pergunto uma informação.

Using 'tem' only describes existence; you need 'pedir' to request assistance.

Wrong: Tem um hotel aqui? (When meaning 'Can I ask for a hotel?')
Correcto: Posso pedir uma recomendação de hotel?

While 'há' is grammatically correct, 'tem' is much more natural in everyday Brazilian conversation.

Wrong: Há muitos carros aqui (in casual speech).
Correcto: Tem muitos carros aqui.

Next Steps

You have completed the A1 level! Your foundation is strong and you are ready for more complex conversations. Keep practicing every day!

Listen to a Brazilian podcast episode.

Continue to: Foundation & Connections

Práctica rápida (6)

¿Cuál frase es correcta para pedir comida?

Elige la mejor traducción para 'Ella pide una ensalada'.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ela pede uma salada.
Usamos 'pedir' para ordenar comida y nunca añadimos 'por' después.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Cómo pedir cosas y comida (Verbo Pedir)

Completa el espacio con la forma coloquial de 'hay'.

___ muitas promoções no site hoje.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Tem
Incluso con sustantivos en plural como 'promoções', la forma coloquial se mantiene como 'tem'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Usar 'Ter' como 'Hay' (Coloquial)

Corrige el error para que suene como un hablante nativo.

Find and fix the mistake:

Há um gato no telhado.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Tem um gato no telhado.
Cambiar 'Há' por 'Tem' hace que la frase suene mucho más natural y moderna.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Usar 'Ter' como 'Hay' (Coloquial)

¿Qué frase es la más natural para una charla casual en Brasil?

¿Cómo le dirías 'Hay una fiesta esta noche' a un amigo?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Tem uma festa hoje à noite.
En Brasil, 'tem' es la palabra favorita para 'hay' en situaciones informales. 'Há' suena muy serio.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Usar 'Ter' como 'Hay' (Coloquial)

Encuentra el error en esta frase.

Find and fix the mistake:

Nós pedir a conta, por favor.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Nós pedimos a conta, por favor.
El sujeto es 'Nós' (Nosotros), así que el verbo debe ser 'pedimos'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Cómo pedir cosas y comida (Verbo Pedir)

Completa el espacio con la forma correcta de 'pedir'.

Eu ___ uma água com gás. (Yo pido un agua con gas)

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: peço
La forma de 'Eu' es irregular: 'Eu peço'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Cómo pedir cosas y comida (Verbo Pedir)

Score: /6

Preguntas frecuentes (6)

¡Sí! Usa la forma reflexiva:
Eu me pergunto por que ele não ligou
(Me pregunto por qué no llamó).
Normalmente sí, le preguntas *a* alguien:
Pergunto ao meu pai
(Le pregunto a mi padre).
¡Casi todo! La única forma rebelde es 'Eu peço'. El resto sigue las reglas normales de los verbos en -ir como Tu pedes.
¡No! Eso sonaría como si quisieras comprar una pregunta. Di
Eu faço uma pergunta
.
'Há' es lo correcto para existencia. 'Tem' es informal y muy común en Brasil:
Tem pão em casa?
¡No! Es invariable. Funciona igual para todos: Há um homem y Há uma mulher.
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