A1 · Débutant Chapitre 17

Desires, Skills, and Socializing

5 Règles totales
56 exemples
5 min
Règles dans ce chapitre Pratique rapide

Chapter in 30 Seconds

Master the essential verbs that unlock daily conversations and social connections in Portuguese.

  • Express your personal wants and desires.
  • State your abilities and make polite requests.
  • Distinguish between knowing facts and knowing people.
Speak your mind and connect with the world.

Ce que tu vas apprendre

Hey friend, in this chapter, you're about to dive into some of the most essential Portuguese verbs you'll use every single day. Don't worry at all, it's much easier than you might think! First up, you'll master how to express anything you desire with the verb querer. Imagine yourself ordering a coffee in a bustling Lisbon cafe, saying

I want a coffee,
or simply expressing
I want to go to the park.
Then, we move on to poder, meaning can or
to be able to.
This is where you'll learn to make polite requests, like
Can you help me?
or confidently declare
I can speak Portuguese.
Pretty cool, right? After that, we tackle a super important distinction: saber versus conhecer. Both mean to know, but they're used in totally different situations. You'll use saber for facts and skills, like
I know how to cook.
But for people and places, conhecer is your go-to – think I know Lisbon or
I know that person.
Grasping this difference is key to sounding like a local! By the end of this chapter, you'll be able to clearly state your wants, talk about your abilities, make polite requests, and most importantly, get to know new people and chat about places you've been. Ready for this exciting journey?

Learning Objectives

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

  1. 1
    By the end you will be able to: Order a coffee and express basic needs using 'querer'.
  2. 2
    By the end you will be able to: Explain your skills and ask for help politely.
  3. 3
    By the end you will be able to: Correctly identify if you need 'saber' or 'conhecer' in a sentence.

Guide du chapitre

Overview

Welcome to an exciting chapter in your A1 Portuguese grammar journey! This section is all about empowering you with the most fundamental verbs you’ll need to express yourself from day one. Mastering these verbs is key to unlocking basic communication, whether you're ordering food, asking for help, or simply getting to know new people and places.
We’ll dive into *querer* (to want), *poder* (can/to be able to), *saber* (to know facts/skills), and *conhecer* (to know people/places). These are absolute essentials for anyone learning Portuguese grammar at the beginner level.
Understanding these verbs will dramatically improve your ability to interact in real-world scenarios. Imagine confidently stating what you desire, expressing your capabilities, or making polite requests – all using simple, effective Portuguese verbs. We'll also tackle a common point of confusion for A1 Portuguese learners: the distinction between *saber* and *conhecer*, which both translate to to know but have very different uses.
By the end of this guide, you’ll not only grasp the core mechanics of these verbs but also understand how to use them naturally and effectively. This will lay a strong foundation for your conversational skills and boost your confidence in speaking Portuguese. Get ready to make your desires known, express your abilities, and connect with the world around you!

How This Grammar Works

Let's break down these crucial verbs, starting with querer. This verb is your go-to for expressing desires and ordering. For instance, if you're in a cafe, you might say
Eu quero um café
(I want a coffee).
For plural subjects, it changes to querem, as in
Eles querem ir à praia
(They want to go to the beach). Remember, when *querer* is followed by another verb, that second verb stays in its infinitive form, like
Eu quero comer
(I want to eat).
Next up is poder, which means can, may, or
to be able to.
It's incredibly useful for expressing ability or making polite requests. To ask if you can help, you'd say
Posso ajudar?
(Can I help?). If you want to ask someone if they can do something, you'd use
Você pode vir?
(Can you come?).
This verb is fundamental for polite interactions and discussing capabilities.
Now for the to know verbs: saber and conhecer. This is where many A1 Portuguese learners get a bit stuck, but it's simpler than it seems! Saber is used for knowing facts, information, or knowing *how* to do something (a skill).
For example,
Eu sei nadar
(I know how to swim) or
Ela sabe a resposta
(She knows the answer). On the other hand, conhecer is used for knowing people, places, or being familiar with something. You'd say
Eu conheço Lisboa
(I know Lisbon) or
Nós conhecemos o Pedro
(We know Pedro).
Understanding this distinction is a hallmark of good Portuguese grammar.

Common Mistakes

  1. 1✗ Wrong:
    Eu sei a Maria.
✓ Correct:
Eu conheço a Maria.
*Explanation:* The verb saber is used for knowing facts, information, or how to do something (a skill). For knowing a person, place, or being familiar with something, you must use conhecer.
  1. 1✗ Wrong:
    Nós quer ir ao cinema.
✓ Correct:
Nós queremos ir ao cinema.
*Explanation:* The verb querer must be conjugated to match the subject.
Nós
is plural, so the correct form is
queremos,
not
quer.
  1. 1✗ Wrong:
    Eu posso de ir.
✓ Correct:
Eu posso ir.
*Explanation:* When poder is followed by another verb, the second verb is in the infinitive form, and no preposition (like de) is needed between them.

Real Conversations

A

A

O que você quer beber? (What do you want to drink?)
B

B

Eu quero uma água, por favor. (I want a water, please.)
A

A

Você pode me ajudar com o exercício? (Can you help me with the exercise?)
B

B

Sim, posso. Eu sei a resposta. (Yes, I can. I know the answer.)
A

A

Você conhece o centro da cidade? (Do you know the city center?)
B

B

Sim, eu conheço bem. E eu sei chegar lá. (Yes, I know it well. And I know how to get there.)

Quick FAQ

Q

How do I say

I can speak Portuguese
in A1 Portuguese grammar?

You can say

Eu posso falar português
or, more commonly for expressing a skill,
Eu sei falar português.
Both are understood, but *saber* emphasizes the learned ability.

Q

What's the main difference between saber and conhecer in Portuguese?

Saber refers to knowing facts, information, or how to perform a skill. Conhecer refers to knowing people, places, or being familiar with something through experience.

Q

Can I use querer to make polite requests in Portuguese?

While

Eu quero
means I want, it can sometimes sound a bit direct in Portuguese. For more polite requests, especially in formal settings, it's often better to use
Gostaria de...
(I would like...) or
Você pode...?
(Can you...?).

Q

Are there regional differences for these verbs in Portuguese grammar?

The core meanings and conjugations of querer, poder, saber, and conhecer are fundamentally the same across Portuguese-speaking countries like Brazil and Portugal, making them universally useful for A1 learners. Pronunciation, as always, will vary by region.

Cultural Context

In Portuguese-speaking cultures, politeness is highly valued. While querer directly translates to to want, using
Gostaria de...
(I would like...) is often preferred for more polite requests, especially in shops or restaurants. However, saying
Eu quero um café
is perfectly acceptable and common in informal settings.
The distinction between saber and conhecer is crucial for sounding natural; mixing them up is a clear indicator of a non-native speaker. Poder is widely used for everyday requests and offering help, making it an indispensable verb for social interaction.

Exemples clés (8)

1

Eu quero um café com leite, por favor.

Je veux un café au lait, s'il vous plaît.

Verbe Querer : Exprimer le désir & Commander (quer, querem)
2

Ei, você quer ir ao cinema hoje à noite?

Hé, tu veux aller au cinéma ce soir ?

Verbe Querer : Exprimer le désir & Commander (quer, querem)
3

Eu `posso` usar o seu carregador?

Je peux utiliser ton chargeur ?

Le Verbe PODER : Pouvoir et Capacité
4

Você `pode` me enviar o link do TikTok?

Tu peux m'envoyer le lien TikTok ?

Le Verbe PODER : Pouvoir et Capacité
5

Você pode me enviar o link do vídeo, por favor?

Tu peux m'envoyer le lien de la vidéo, s'il te plaît ?

Comment faire des demandes polies (Poder)
6

O senhor pode trazer a conta, por favor?

Pouvez-vous apporter l'addition, s'il vous plaît ?

Comment faire des demandes polies (Poder)
7

Eu sei a senha do Wi-Fi.

Je connais le mot de passe du Wi-Fi.

Le Verbe SABER : Faits et Compétences (savoir)
8

Você sabe onde fica o metrô?

Tu sais où se trouve le métro ?

Le Verbe SABER : Faits et Compétences (savoir)

Conseils et astuces (4)

⚠️

Ne dis jamais 'Quere'

C'est l'erreur numéro un des débutants ! La troisième personne du singulier est juste 'Quer'. Coupe court ! Ele quer água, pas Ele quere água.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Verbe Querer : Exprimer le désir & Commander (quer, querem)
💡

Le "Pix" le plus rapide !

Au Brésil, tu vas tout le temps demander ça :
Posso pagar com Pix?
. C'est la façon la plus rapide d'utiliser ce verbe et de payer ton café !
Posso pagar com Pix?
(Je peux payer avec Pix ?)
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Le Verbe PODER : Pouvoir et Capacité
💡

La magie du 'Por Favor'

Même si Você pode... est déjà poli, ajouter por favor à la fin, c'est le top du respect. Par exemple :
Você pode me ajudar, por favor?
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Comment faire des demandes polies (Poder)
🎯

Le vibe 'Sei lá'

Si quelqu'un te pose une question et que t'en as aucune idée, les Brésiliens adorent dire Sei lá!. C'est comme dire 'J'en sais rien du tout !'.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Le Verbe SABER : Faits et Compétences (savoir)

Vocabulaire clé (6)

Querer To want Poder To be able to Saber To know (facts) Conhecer To know (people/places) Ajuda Help Falar To speak

Real-World Preview

coffee

At the Cafe

Review Summary

  • Eu + quero + [noun/verb]
  • Eu + posso + [verb]
  • Eu + sei + [fact/how-to]
  • Eu + conheço + [place/person]

Erreurs courantes

You used 'conhecer' (people/places) for a fact. Use 'saber' for facts.

Wrong: Eu conheço a resposta.
Correct: Eu sei a resposta.

No preposition is needed after 'querer'. Just follow with the infinitive verb.

Wrong: Eu quero de ir.
Correct: Eu quero ir.

You cannot use 'saber' for people. Always use 'conhecer' for people.

Wrong: Eu sei João.
Correct: Eu conheço o João.

Next Steps

You've done an incredible job! Keep practicing these verbs, and you'll be chatting like a local in no time.

Write 5 sentences about what you know and what you want to know.

Continue to: Asking Questions and Describing Existence

Pratique rapide (10)

Complète le blanc avec la bonne forme de 'querer'.

Eu ___ um sorvete de chocolate.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: quero
Comme le sujet est 'Eu' (Je), la conjugaison est 'quero'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Verbe Querer : Exprimer le désir & Commander (quer, querem)

Trouve et corrige l'erreur.

Eles sabe a verdade.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Eles sabem a verdade.
Le sujet 'Eles' (ils) demande la forme plurielle 'sabem'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Le Verbe SABER : Faits et Compétences (savoir)

Choisis la phrase grammaticalement correcte.

Quelle phrase est correcte pour 'Elle veut de l'eau' ?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ela quer água.
La troisième personne du singulier (Ela) de 'querer' est irrégulière : 'quer', pas 'quere'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Verbe Querer : Exprimer le désir & Commander (quer, querem)

Quelle phrase est la plus polie pour demander un café ?

Choisis la meilleure option :

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Você pode me trazer um café, por favor?
L'utilisation de 'poder' avec 'por favor' est la norme de politesse.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Comment faire des demandes polies (Poder)

Trouve et corrige l'erreur dans cette demande.

Find and fix the mistake:

Você pode abre a porta para mim?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Você pode abrir a porta para mim?
Après 'pode', le deuxième verbe doit rester à l'infinitif (abrir).

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Comment faire des demandes polies (Poder)

Complète la phrase avec la bonne forme de 'saber'.

Eu ___ que horas são.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: sei
Pour la première personne (Eu), le verbe est spécial et devient 'sei'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Le Verbe SABER : Faits et Compétences (savoir)

Remplis avec la bonne forme de "poder"

Eu ___ (can) ajudar você com o dever de casa.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: posso
La forme de 'poder' pour 'eu' est la forme irrégulière 'posso'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Le Verbe PODER : Pouvoir et Capacité

Quelle phrase est correcte ?

Choisis la phrase grammaticalement correcte pour 'Nous pouvons y aller' :

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Nós podemos ir.
Tu conjugues 'poder' (podemos) et tu laisses le deuxième verbe à l'infinitif (ir).

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Le Verbe PODER : Pouvoir et Capacité

Quelle phrase est correcte pour parler d'un talent ?

Choisis la phrase grammaticalement correcte :

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Eu sei cozinhar.
On utilise 'saber' + infinitif pour les compétences, et 'sei' est la forme correcte pour 'Je'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Le Verbe SABER : Faits et Compétences (savoir)

Trouve l'erreur dans la phrase.

Find and fix the mistake:

Nós quer viajar amanhã.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Nós queremos viajar amanhã.
Le sujet 'Nós' (Nous) exige la terminaison '-emos', donc ce doit être 'queremos'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Verbe Querer : Exprimer le désir & Commander (quer, querem)

Score: /10

Questions fréquentes (6)

Le portugais aime l'efficacité. 'Quer' est devenu plus court au fil du temps. Pense-y comme un mot rapide pour un désir immédiat. Par exemple, Ele quer!
Oui, mais fais attention ! 'Eu quero você' est très romantique ou physique. Si tu parles d'amour amical ou familial, utilise 'amar' ou 'adorar'. Par exemple,
Eu quero minha família
est un peu fort, préfère
Eu amo minha família
.
Ça veut dire les deux ! Le portugais n'a pas un mot séparé pour puis-je. Tu utilises posso pour la capacité physique ET pour demander la permission. Posso entrar? (Puis-je entrer ?)
C'est un verbe irrégulier. En portugais, beaucoup de verbes en '-er' changent leur racine à la première personne du singulier, soit pour le son, soit à cause de leur histoire.
Oui, surtout au Brésil ! Le contexte suffit souvent. Par exemple : Pode me ajudar?
Non, il exprime aussi la possibilité. Comme dans :
Você pode estacionar aqui
(Tu peux te garer ici).
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