En 15 segundos
- A friendly way to suggest leaving or starting a journey.
- Uses the unique Portuguese personal infinitive for a soft touch.
- Perfect for social transitions like leaving a bar or party.
Significado
This is a friendly way to say 'How about we go?' or 'Shall we leave?' It is used to suggest moving to a new location or starting an activity together.
Ejemplos clave
3 de 6Finishing a meal at a restaurant
O jantar estava ótimo. Que tal irmos?
Dinner was great. How about we head out?
Suggesting a walk in the park
O dia está lindo! Que tal irmos ao parque?
The day is beautiful! How about we go to the park?
In a professional but relaxed meeting
Já terminamos a pauta. Que tal irmos para o café?
We've finished the agenda. How about we head to the cafe?
Contexto cultural
Brazilians often use 'Que tal a gente ir?' instead of 'Que tal irmos?'. 'A gente' is a very common informal way to say 'we'. In Portugal, you might hear 'Que tal se fôssemos?' more often in slightly more formal or tentative social situations. In Luanda, social suggestions are often very rhythmic and might be followed by 'mambo' (thing/stuff) to refer to the plan. In a modern Brazilian startup, 'Que tal irmos...?' is used to pivot during brainstorming sessions to keep the energy collaborative.
The 'A Gente' trick
If you forget the conjugation 'irmos', just use 'Que tal a gente ir?'. It's easier and sounds very native in Brazil.
Don't be too bossy
Using 'Vamos!' can sometimes sound like a command. Use 'Que tal irmos?' to be more polite.
En 15 segundos
- A friendly way to suggest leaving or starting a journey.
- Uses the unique Portuguese personal infinitive for a soft touch.
- Perfect for social transitions like leaving a bar or party.
What It Means
Que tal irmos? is your go-to phrase for making suggestions. It combines que tal (how about) with a special form of the verb ir (to go). It is warm, inviting, and never bossy. You are basically asking for a group consensus. It sounds much softer than saying 'Let's go now.'
How To Use It
You use this when you want to change the scenery. Use it when the bill is paid at a restaurant. Use it when the party is dying down. Just drop it into a conversation with a slight questioning tone. It works perfectly with friends, family, or even colleagues you like. It is the verbal equivalent of grabbing your car keys.
When To Use It
Use it at a cafe when you've finished your espresso. It is great for texting a group chat to start a night out. If you are at a boring meeting, a whispered que tal irmos? to a work buddy is a classic move. It also works when you are planning a future trip. It implies a shared adventure is about to begin.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use this if you are the boss giving a direct order. It is too suggestive for a drill sergeant! Avoid it in very stiff, formal ceremonies where protocol dictates when people move. Also, don't use it if you are actually staying put. It specifically implies physical movement from point A to point B. If you're staying on the couch, this isn't your phrase.
Cultural Background
Portuguese speakers love 'we' (nós) culture. We rarely do things alone. This phrase uses the 'personal infinitive,' a unique feature of Portuguese. This grammatical quirk makes the language feel very personal and direct. It reflects a culture that values collective decision-making. Even a simple exit is a group democratic process.
Common Variations
You might hear que tal se fôssemos? for a more hypothetical vibe. In Brazil, people often say que tal a gente ir? which is super common. In Portugal, you might hear e se fôssemos? more often. All of them aim for the same goal: getting the group moving. Just pick the one that feels most natural to your ears.
Notas de uso
The phrase is highly versatile because it sits right in the middle of the formality scale. The biggest 'gotcha' for English speakers is the personal infinitive `irmos`—remember that the 's' at the end is what includes 'us' in the suggestion.
The 'A Gente' trick
If you forget the conjugation 'irmos', just use 'Que tal a gente ir?'. It's easier and sounds very native in Brazil.
Don't be too bossy
Using 'Vamos!' can sometimes sound like a command. Use 'Que tal irmos?' to be more polite.
The Brazilian Nudge
Brazilians often use this phrase to avoid being the first one to leave a party. It's a way to see if others are also ready.
Add a destination
You can add 'ao/à' + a place to make your suggestion specific: 'Que tal irmos à praia?'
Ejemplos
6O jantar estava ótimo. Que tal irmos?
Dinner was great. How about we head out?
A polite way to signal the end of the evening.
O dia está lindo! Que tal irmos ao parque?
The day is beautiful! How about we go to the park?
Used here to propose a specific destination.
Já terminamos a pauta. Que tal irmos para o café?
We've finished the agenda. How about we head to the cafe?
Transitions from work to a break.
Esta festa está meio parada... que tal irmos?
This party is a bit dull... how about we go?
A discreet way to suggest an exit.
Ainda estás a calçar os sapatos? Que tal irmos?
Are you still putting on your shoes? How about we go?
A gentle, funny nudge to hurry someone up.
Está a ficar tarde, que tal irmos agora?
It's getting late, how about we go now?
Softens the blow of having to leave loved ones.
Ponte a prueba
Complete the sentence with the correct form of the verb 'ir'.
A festa está chata. Que tal ______ (nós)?
After 'Que tal', we use the personal infinitive 'irmos' to include 'us'.
Which sentence is the most polite way to suggest leaving?
You want to suggest leaving a dinner party.
'Que tal irmos?' is a polite suggestion, whereas 'Vamos embora agora!' is a command.
Choose the best response for the dialogue.
João: 'Estou com muita fome.' Maria: '_________'
If someone is hungry (fome), suggesting dinner (jantar) is the logical response.
Match the phrase to the situation.
Situation: It's a sunny Saturday morning.
A sunny Saturday is the perfect time to suggest going to the beach.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Ayudas visuales
Banco de ejercicios
4 ejerciciosA festa está chata. Que tal ______ (nós)?
After 'Que tal', we use the personal infinitive 'irmos' to include 'us'.
You want to suggest leaving a dinner party.
'Que tal irmos?' is a polite suggestion, whereas 'Vamos embora agora!' is a command.
João: 'Estou com muita fome.' Maria: '_________'
If someone is hungry (fome), suggesting dinner (jantar) is the logical response.
Situation: It's a sunny Saturday morning.
A sunny Saturday is the perfect time to suggest going to the beach.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasNo, it's neutral. You can use it with friends, family, and even colleagues.
Yes, it's perfectly understood and used in Portugal, though they might pronounce the 'l' in 'tal' more clearly.
'Que tal irmos' is a suggestion (How about we go?), while 'Vamos' is more of a statement or command (Let's go).
Because it's the personal infinitive, which changes to show that 'we' (nós) are the ones going.
You can, but the 'nós' is usually dropped because 'irmos' already implies 'we'.
'Bora' is a very informal slang version of 'Vamos'. 'Que tal irmos' is more polite.
Que tal irmos à praia?
Yes! 'Que tal comermos?' (How about we eat?), 'Que tal dançarmos?' (How about we dance?).
You would say 'Que tal você ir?' or 'Que tal vocês irem?'.
Yes, in casual business settings like suggesting a coffee break or ending a lunch meeting.
Frases relacionadas
Que tal se...?
similarHow about if...?
Bora?
synonymLet's go!
Vamos?
similarShall we go?
O que acha de...?
similarWhat do you think of...?
Partiu?
slangI'm off / Shall we?