A1 · शुरुआती चैप्टर 18

Asking Questions and Describing Existence

4 कुल नियम
41 उदाहरण
5 मिनट
इस अध्याय के नियम त्वरित अभ्यास

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.

तुम क्या सीखोगे

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'.

अध्याय गाइड

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!

मुख्य उदाहरण (2)

1

Eu peço um café com leite, por favor.

मैं एक दूध वाली कॉफी ऑर्डर करता हूँ, प्लीज।

चीजें कैसे मांगें और खाना ऑर्डर करें (Pedir)
2

Você pede o Uber ou eu peço?

उबर तुम बुक कर रहे हो या मैं करूँ?

चीजें कैसे मांगें और खाना ऑर्डर करें (Pedir)

टिप्स और ट्रिक्स (4)

🎯

व्हाट्सएप पर बातचीत शुरू करना

ब्राजील में किसी से कुछ निजी पूछने से पहले यह कहना बहुत विनम्र माना जाता है:
Posso te perguntar uma coisa?
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: सवाल पूछना: क्रिया 'Perguntar'
💡

बीच में कुछ न जोड़ें

अंग्रेजी की तरह 'ask for' बोलने के लिए 'por' लगाने की गलती न करें। सीधा बोलें: Pedir pizza।
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: चीजें कैसे मांगें और खाना ऑर्डर करें (Pedir)
⚠️

इसे कभी बहुवचन (Plural) मत बनाना

चाहे सामने 100 लोग हों, कभी 'hão' मत कहना। 'Há' अकेला ही काफी है:
Há muitos problemas aqui.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: "वहाँ है/वहाँ हैं" कहना (Há)
🎯

प्लुरल का राज

नेटिव स्पीकर्स 'tem' को कभी प्लुरल नहीं करते जब इसका मतलब 'वहां है' होता है। इसे हमेशा सिंगुलर रखो: Tem duas pizzas.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 'Ter' का 'वहाँ है/हैं' के रूप में उपयोग (बोलचाल की भाषा)

मुख्य शब्दावली (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]

सामान्य गलतियाँ

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

Wrong: Eu peço uma informação.
सही: 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?')
सही: 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).
सही: Tem muitos carros aqui.

इस अध्याय के नियम (4)

1

सवाल पूछना: क्रिया 'Perguntar'

A1
जानकारी माँगने के लिए perguntar का इस्तेमाल करो और चीज़ों के लिए pedir। यह एक regular -ar verb है जिसे याद रखना बहुत आसान है!
Eu pergunto o preço do café.
10 उदाहरण
2

चीजें कैसे मांगें और खाना ऑर्डर करें (Pedir)

A1
जब आपको कोई चीज़ (जैसे पिज्जा या मदद) 'पानी' हो तो pedir का इस्तेमाल करें, और जब कुछ 'जानना' हो तो perguntar। बस याद रखें: peço, pede, pedimos।
Eu peço um café com leite, por favor.
11 उदाहरण
3

"वहाँ है/वहाँ हैं" कहना (Há)

A1
बस एक जादुई शब्द «Há» याद रखो, ये चीज़ों के होने (There is/are) और बीते हुए समय (ago) दोनों के लिए काम आता है।
Há um gato na minha cama.
10 उदाहरण
4

'Ter' का 'वहाँ है/हैं' के रूप में उपयोग (बोलचाल की भाषा)

A1
ब्राज़ील की आम बोलचाल में 'there is' या 'there are' के लिए बस tem का इस्तेमाल करो।
Tem um Uber chegando agora.
10 उदाहरण

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

त्वरित अभ्यास (9)

इस वाक्य में गलती ढूँढें।

Nós perguntam o preço.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Nós perguntamos o preço.
'Nós' के साथ क्रिया का अंत हमेशा '-amos' पर होता है।

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: सवाल पूछना: क्रिया 'Perguntar'

खाली जगह भरें।

___ dois carros na garagem. (गैराज में दो कारें हैं।)

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Há
हम 'Há' का इस्तेमाल करते हैं चाहे चीज़ें प्लुरल (दो कारें) ही क्यों न हों।

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: "वहाँ है/वहाँ हैं" कहना (Há)

इस वाक्य में गलती ढूंढें।

Nós pedir a conta, por favor.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Nós pedimos a conta, por favor.
जब 'Nós' (हम) की बात हो, तो वर्ब 'pedimos' बन जाता है।

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: चीजें कैसे मांगें और खाना ऑर्डर करें (Pedir)

वाक्य में गलती ढूँढें।

Eu cheguei a 10 minutos atrás.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Eu cheguei há 10 minutos.
बीते हुए समय (ago) के लिए हम 'há' (क्रिया) का इस्तेमाल करते हैं, 'a' का नहीं।

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: "वहाँ है/वहाँ हैं" कहना (Há)

'Eu' के लिए 'perguntar' का सही रूप भरें।

Eu ___ o endereço da festa.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: pergunto
'Eu' के साथ हम क्रिया के अंत में '-o' लगाते हैं, इसलिए 'pergunto' सही है।

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: सवाल पूछना: क्रिया 'Perguntar'

खाली जगह भरें 'pedir' के सही रूप के साथ।

Eu ___ uma água com gás. (मैं सोडा वाटर ऑर्डर करता हूँ)

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: peço
'Eu' के साथ यह वर्ब थोड़ा अलग हो जाता है: 'Eu peço'।

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: चीजें कैसे मांगें और खाना ऑर्डर करें (Pedir)

खाना ऑर्डर करने के लिए सही वाक्य चुनें।

'वह सलाद ऑर्डर करती है' का सही अनुवाद क्या है?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ela pede uma salada.
ऑर्डर के लिए 'pedir' का इस्तेमाल होता है और इसके बाद 'por' नहीं लगता।

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: चीजें कैसे मांगें और खाना ऑर्डर करें (Pedir)

जानकारी माँगने के लिए कौन सा वाक्य सही है?

जानकारी के लिए सही वाक्य चुनें:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Eu pergunto as horas.
समय (hours) एक जानकारी है, इसलिए 'perguntar' का इस्तेमाल होगा।

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: सवाल पूछना: क्रिया 'Perguntar'

सही वाक्य चुनें।

कौन सा वाक्य सही है: 'बगीचे में बहुत फूल हैं'?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Há muitas flores no jardim.
क्रिया 'haver' हमेशा 'Há' ही रहती है, चाहे 'flores' (फूल) प्लुरल हो।

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: "वहाँ है/वहाँ हैं" कहना (Há)

Score: /9

सामान्य प्रश्न (6)

हाँ! इसके लिए 'me pergunto' का इस्तेमाल करें, जैसे:
Eu me pergunto por que ele não ligou.
हाँ, आमतौर पर हम किसी 'से' पूछते हैं:
Pergunto ao meu pai.
लगभग! बस 'Eu peço' वाला रूप थोड़ा अलग है, बाकी सब नॉर्मल है।
Eu peço um chá.
नहीं! इसका मतलब होगा कि आप दुकान से सवाल खरीदना चाहते हैं। सही तरीका है: Fazer uma pergunta।
'Há' सही ग्रामर है, जबकि 'Tem' ब्राजील में बातचीत में ज़्यादा चलता है: Tem café?
बिल्कुल नहीं! ये सबके लिए एक जैसा रहता है: Há uma mulher (एक औरत है)।
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