Phrase in 30 Seconds
Use 'Com quem?' to ask about the person accompanying someone or participating in an activity.
- Means: 'With whom?' or 'Who with?' in English.
- Used in: Social planning, identifying phone callers, or checking on friends.
- Don't confuse: Never put the preposition 'com' at the end of the sentence.
Explicación a tu nivel:
Significado
Asks about the person accompanying or involved.
Contexto cultural
There is a very famous birthday tradition where people sing 'Com quem será?' to guess who the birthday person will marry. It's a playful, slightly embarrassing song for kids and teenagers. In Portugal, using 'Com quem é que...' is much more common than the simple 'Com quem...' found in Brazil, as the Portuguese prefer the rhythmic balance of the 'é que' phrase. The proverb 'Diz-me com quem andas, dir-te-ei quem és' is universal across all Portuguese-speaking countries, emphasizing that your company defines your character.
Short and Sweet
In casual conversation, you don't need a full sentence. If someone says 'I'm going to the beach,' just saying 'Com quem?' is perfectly natural.
Preposition First!
Never, ever put 'com' at the end of the sentence. It's the most common mistake for English speakers.
Short and Sweet
In casual conversation, you don't need a full sentence. If someone says 'I'm going to the beach,' just saying 'Com quem?' is perfectly natural.
Preposition First!
Never, ever put 'com' at the end of the sentence. It's the most common mistake for English speakers.
Ponte a prueba
Choose the correct way to ask 'Who are you with?'
_______ você está?
'Com quem' is the standard way to ask 'with whom'.
Complete the sentence to ask who someone is talking to.
Você está falando ____ _____?
The preposition 'com' is required for the verb 'falar' in this context.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Vou viajar amanhã! B: Que bom! ______?
B is asking about the travel companion.
Match the question to the situation.
Asking about a partner for a school project.
'Com quem' identifies the partner.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Ayudas visuales
Banco de ejercicios
5 ejercicios_______ você está?
'Com quem' is the standard way to ask 'with whom'.
Você está falando ____ _____?
The preposition 'com' is required for the verb 'falar' in this context.
A: Vou viajar amanhã! B: Que bom! ______?
B is asking about the travel companion.
Asking about a partner for a school project.
'Com quem' identifies the partner.
🎉 Puntuación: /5
Preguntas frecuentes
4 preguntasNo, in Portuguese the preposition always precedes the pronoun in a question.
It is neutral. It can be used with your boss or your best friend.
There isn't one! 'Quem' is used for both singular and plural subjects.
Com quem você está falando?
Frases relacionadas
De quem?
similarWhose?
Para quem?
similarFor whom?
Acompanhado de
specialized formAccompanied by
Dónde usarla
At a Party
Ana: Eu vou para a festa hoje à noite!
Beto: Que legal! Com quem?
On the Phone
Mãe: Filho, com quem você está falando?
Filho: Com o meu professor, mãe.
Work Meeting
Chefe: Com quem a senhora agendou a reunião?
Secretária: Com o diretor da empresa X.
Memorízalo
Mnemotecnia
Think of 'COM' as 'COMpany'. 'Com quem?' = 'Which COMpany?'
Asociación visual
Imagine a person standing alone, then a second person walks up and they hold a giant question mark together.
Rhyme
Com quem você vem? Com ninguém ou com alguém?
Story
You are at a party. You see your friend dancing. You look around and ask 'Com quem?' because you want to know if they brought a date or if they are dancing with a stranger.
In Other Languages
It is very similar to Spanish '¿Con quién?' and Italian 'Con chi?'. If you know any Romance language, the structure is identical.
Word Web
Desafío
Next time you see a photo of a friend with someone else on social media, think to yourself: 'Com quem ele/ela está?'
Review this every time you introduce a friend to someone else.
Pronunciación
The 'm' is not fully pronounced; it makes the 'o' nasal.
The 'qu' sounds like 'k', and the 'em' is a nasal diphthong.
Espectro de formalidad
Com quem o senhor irá? (Social outing)
Com quem você vai? (Social outing)
Vai com quem? (Social outing)
Tá colado com quem? (Social outing)
Derived from the Latin 'Cum' (preposition meaning with) and 'Quem' (accusative of 'Quis', meaning who).
Dato curioso
The word 'com' actually merges with some pronouns (com + mim = comigo), but it never merges with 'quem'.
Notas culturales
There is a very famous birthday tradition where people sing 'Com quem será?' to guess who the birthday person will marry. It's a playful, slightly embarrassing song for kids and teenagers.
“Com quem será, com quem será que o Pedro vai casar?”
In Portugal, using 'Com quem é que...' is much more common than the simple 'Com quem...' found in Brazil, as the Portuguese prefer the rhythmic balance of the 'é que' phrase.
“Com quem é que vais ao teatro?”
The proverb 'Diz-me com quem andas, dir-te-ei quem és' is universal across all Portuguese-speaking countries, emphasizing that your company defines your character.
“Diz-me com quem andas...”
Inicios de conversación
Com quem você mora?
Com quem você gosta de sair no fim de semana?
Com quem você mais aprendeu na vida?
Errores comunes
Quem você está com?
Com quem você está?
L1 Interference
De quem você vai?
Com quem você vai?
L1 Interference
Com quem você está falando para?
Com quem você está falando?
L1 Interference
In Other Languages
¿Con quién?
Only the spelling of 'con' vs 'com' and 'quién' vs 'quem' differs.
Avec qui ?
French uses 'qui' for people, similar to 'quem'.
Mit wem?
German requires case agreement (dative) for the pronoun.
誰と? (Dare to?)
The word order is reversed compared to Portuguese.
مع من؟ (Ma'a man?)
The structure is very similar to the Romance style.
Spotted in the Real World
“Com quem será, com quem será que o (nome) vai casar?”
A popular Brazilian birthday song sung after 'Parabéns a Você'.
“Você estava com quem no lixão?”
A tense scene where a character is being interrogated about their whereabouts.
“Sextou! Mas com quem?”
Common caption for Friday night posts asking followers about their plans.
Fácil de confundir
Learners confuse 'com' (with) and 'por' (by/for).
Use 'com' for company and 'por' for the agent of an action (e.g., 'done by whom').
English speakers try to put the preposition at the end.
Portuguese prepositions are like glue; they MUST stick to the front of the word they modify.
Preguntas frecuentes (4)
No, in Portuguese the preposition always precedes the pronoun in a question.
grammar mechanicsIt is neutral. It can be used with your boss or your best friend.
usage contextsThere isn't one! 'Quem' is used for both singular and plural subjects.
grammar mechanicsCom quem você está falando?
practical tips
