15 सेकंड में
- Used to clarify or confirm what someone just implied.
- Equivalent to 'So, does that mean...?' in English.
- Works in both formal and informal everyday conversations.
मतलब
This is the perfect way to double-check what someone just said. It translates to 'Does that mean that...?' and helps you clarify facts or confirm your suspicions.
मुख्य उदाहरण
3 / 6At a restaurant
Quer dizer que não tem mais pão?
Does that mean there's no more bread?
In a business meeting
Quer dizer que o projeto será adiado?
Does that mean the project will be delayed?
Texting a friend about a crush
Quer dizer que ele te ligou ontem?!
Does that mean he called you yesterday?!
सांस्कृतिक पृष्ठभूमि
In Brazil, 'Quer dizer que' is often used to avoid direct 'No's. If someone asks for a favor and you explain why you're busy, they might say 'Quer dizer que você não pode?' as a way to finalize the rejection politely. Portuguese speakers in Portugal might use 'Queres dizer que...?' (informal 'you') more often than Brazilians when they want to specifically ask what *the other person* intends to say. In Angolan Portuguese, 'Quer dizer' is a very frequent discourse marker, often used at the start of sentences to provide emphasis or to signal that the speaker is about to explain something important. In professional settings across the Lusophone world, this phrase is used to 'summarize' meeting minutes. It shows you are proactive and ensuring alignment among team members.
The 'So' Shortcut
Think of 'Quer dizer que' as the Portuguese equivalent of starting a sentence with 'So...'. It's the perfect conversation starter.
Watch your tone
If you say it too fast or with a sharp rise at the end, it can sound like you're accusing the person of lying.
15 सेकंड में
- Used to clarify or confirm what someone just implied.
- Equivalent to 'So, does that mean...?' in English.
- Works in both formal and informal everyday conversations.
What It Means
Think of Quer dizer que...? as your mental bridge. It connects what you heard to what you think it actually implies. It is the Portuguese equivalent of saying 'So, are you saying that...?' or 'In other words...'. You use it when you need to confirm a piece of information before moving forward. It turns a statement into a question of logic.
How To Use It
Using this phrase is incredibly simple. You just place it at the beginning of your sentence. Follow it with the fact you want to confirm. For example, if a friend says they are busy on Saturday, you ask: Quer dizer que você não vem à festa?. You do not need to change the verb querer regardless of who you are talking to. It acts as a fixed introductory formula. It is like a verbal 'loading' icon while your brain processes the news.
When To Use It
Use it whenever there is a slight gap in communication. It is great for clarifying instructions at work. It works perfectly when a friend gives you a vague excuse. You can use it at a restaurant if the waiter says they are out of fish. Quer dizer que só tem carne? is a natural follow-up. It is also a great way to show you are actively listening. It proves you are following the logic of the conversation.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use it if you are 100% certain of the facts. It can sound a bit repetitive if used for every single sentence. Avoid it if someone is sharing deep, emotional grief. In those moments, 'So you're saying...' can feel a bit too analytical or cold. Also, do not use it to start a brand new topic. It must always refer back to something previously mentioned. Using it out of the blue will leave people looking for the missing context.
Cultural Background
Portuguese speakers value 'sintonia' or being in sync. We hate being misunderstood. This phrase is a social tool to ensure everyone is on the same page. In Brazil, it is often used with a slightly rising intonation to sound curious. In Portugal, it might sound a bit more direct. It reflects the communicative nature of the culture. We prefer to ask and clarify rather than assume and fail later. It is the ultimate 'no-assumptions' policy.
Common Variations
In very casual settings, you might hear Ou seja.... This is the shorter, punchier cousin. You might also hear Então... used as a lead-in. Some people add a então at the start: Então quer dizer que...?. This adds a bit of dramatic flair or emphasis. If you want to be extra clear, you can say Isso quer dizer que.... It all leads to the same goal: making sure the message was received loud and clear.
इस्तेमाल की जानकारी
The phrase is incredibly versatile and safe for all levels of formality. Just remember to keep the 'quer' in the third person singular even if the subject is plural.
The 'So' Shortcut
Think of 'Quer dizer que' as the Portuguese equivalent of starting a sentence with 'So...'. It's the perfect conversation starter.
Watch your tone
If you say it too fast or with a sharp rise at the end, it can sound like you're accusing the person of lying.
The 'Isso' addition
Add 'Isso' at the beginning ('Isso quer dizer que...') to sound more precise and logical in a debate.
The Brazilian 'Eeeentão'
Brazilians often say 'Eeeentão...' before 'quer dizer que' to give themselves time to think and sound friendlier.
उदाहरण
6Quer dizer que não tem mais pão?
Does that mean there's no more bread?
Checking availability after a waiter's comment.
Quer dizer que o projeto será adiado?
Does that mean the project will be delayed?
Clarifying a professional timeline.
Quer dizer que ele te ligou ontem?!
Does that mean he called you yesterday?!
Expressing excitement or gossip confirmation.
Quer dizer que eu lavei o carro pra nada?
Does that mean I washed the car for nothing?
Used when it starts raining right after a car wash.
Quer dizer que você não confia em mim?
Does that mean you don't trust me?
Confronting an emotional implication.
Quer dizer que o voo sai às oito?
Does that mean the flight leaves at eight?
Double-checking logistics.
खुद को परखो
Fill in the blank to complete the clarification.
A: O restaurante está lotado. B: ___ dizer que vamos ter que esperar?
We use the third-person singular 'Quer' for the impersonal 'Does it mean...?'
Which sentence is the most natural way to clarify a plan?
You want to confirm if the party is on Saturday.
This is the standard, most natural way to ask for confirmation.
Complete the dialogue with the correct phrase.
Mãe: 'Seu quarto está uma bagunça!' Filho: '___ eu não posso sair hoje?'
The son is deducing a consequence (punishment) from his mother's statement.
Match the 'Quer dizer que' sentence to the correct context.
1. 'Quer dizer que o preço subiu?' | 2. 'Quer dizer que você me ama?' | 3. 'Quer dizer que o trem atrasou?'
The phrase is used across all these different semantic fields.
🎉 स्कोर: /4
विज़ुअल लर्निंग टूल्स
Quer dizer vs. Quer dizer que
अभ्यास बैंक
4 अभ्यासA: O restaurante está lotado. B: ___ dizer que vamos ter que esperar?
We use the third-person singular 'Quer' for the impersonal 'Does it mean...?'
You want to confirm if the party is on Saturday.
This is the standard, most natural way to ask for confirmation.
Mãe: 'Seu quarto está uma bagunça!' Filho: '___ eu não posso sair hoje?'
The son is deducing a consequence (punishment) from his mother's statement.
1. 'Quer dizer que o preço subiu?' | 2. 'Quer dizer que você me ama?' | 3. 'Quer dizer que o trem atrasou?'
The phrase is used across all these different semantic fields.
🎉 स्कोर: /4
अक्सर पूछे जाने वाले सवाल
12 सवालIt's neutral. You can use it with friends or with your boss without any problem.
No, it always introduces a new clause. If you want to say 'What does that mean?' at the end, say 'O que isso quer dizer?'.
'Ou seja' is for rephrasing something you just said. 'Quer dizer que' is for asking about the meaning of what someone else said.
Usually no. Keep it as 'Quer' for the impersonal 'Does it mean...'.
Yes, it is universal across all Portuguese-speaking countries.
Yes, it's great for clarifying points in a professional email thread.
No, it almost always takes the indicative because you are asking about a reality.
Just say 'Quer dizer' without the 'que'.
It's not slang itself, but it's used in very casual ways, often shortened to 'Quer dizê...'.
Yes, 'Isso' makes it slightly more formal and clear.
Say 'Não quer dizer que...'.
Only if your tone is aggressive. Normally, it's seen as a sign that you are listening carefully.
संबंधित मुहावरे
Ou seja
synonymIn other words / That is to say
Isto é
similarThat is
Significa que
synonymIt means that
Em outras palavras
builds onIn other words
Não quer dizer nada
contrastIt doesn't mean anything
