O que é isto?

Use O que é isto? when you encounter an object, a situation, a smell, a sound, or even an emotion that's new to you. It’s super versatile! You can use it when you see a weird gadget in a friend's kitchen, read a confusing word in a book, or hear a strange noise outside your window. It’s perfect for when you're traveling and see something unique, or even when you’re trying a new dish and aren't quite sure what you're eating. It’s your verbal shrug of the shoulders, asking for clarification.

This phrase is generally quite neutral, leaning towards informal. You'd use it with friends, family, or even strangers in casual settings. Think of asking a shopkeeper about an unfamiliar item or a colleague about a peculiar office supply. It's not *rude*, but it's not something you'd typically use in a super formal presentation or a legal document. It's like asking 'What's this?' in English – friendly and to the point. Trying to use it in a super formal speech might sound a bit out of place, like asking the Queen 'Wazzat?'

Imagine you're scrolling through Instagram and see a bizarre filter. You might comment, O que é isto?. Or maybe you’re at a Portuguese market and see a fruit you’ve never seen before. You’d point and ask the vendor, O que é isto?. If your friend sends you a cryptic emoji combination in a WhatsApp chat, you might reply, O que é isto? It’s the universal sign for 'Explain!' It’s the phrase that stops you from accidentally eating a decorative soap.

Use it when you need to identify something concrete or abstract. Pointing at a strange-looking pastry at a bakery? O que é isto? Hearing an odd beep from your computer? O que é isto? Seeing a confusing sign on a hiking trail? O que é isto? It’s great for travel, shopping, exploring new places, or just navigating daily life when things get a little weird. It’s also fantastic for kids learning new things – it’s their natural way of asking questions.

Avoid O que é isto? in very formal situations like a job interview, a business meeting with senior executives, or when addressing someone with a very high level of authority unless you know them well. It can sound a bit abrupt or overly casual. Also, avoid it if you’re trying to be polite and the context already implies you should know. If someone just handed you a gift, asking O que é isto? might sound ungrateful, even if you're genuinely curious. It's like asking 'What's this garbage?' when someone gives you a present.

A common mistake is using it when a more specific question is needed. For example, if you’re asking about the *price* of something, O que é isto? won’t get you that info. Another pitfall is using it when a more polite or formal phrase is required. It’s like asking 'What's this?' versus 'Could you please tell me what this is?'

In Portugal, you might hear O que é que isto é? which is a slightly more emphatic version. In Brazil, O que é isso? is much more common and serves the exact same purpose. Isso refers to something closer to the listener, while isto refers to something closer to the speaker, but in everyday speech, Brazilians often use isso for both. It’s like the difference between 'this' and 'that' in English, but often used interchangeably in Brazil for this specific question. Sometimes, people might just say Quê? with a questioning tone, which is super informal.

• Is it rude? Not usually, but context matters!
• Can I use it for people? No, that’s weird and potentially offensive.
• What if I don't know the word? Use this!
• Is it formal? Nope, more casual.
• Brazilian vs. European Portuguese? Brazilians prefer isso.
• Can I use it online? Totally, especially in comments or DMs.