A1 · 초급 챕터 17

Desires, Skills, and Socializing

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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.

배울 내용

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.

챕터 가이드

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.

주요 예문 (4)

1

Eu quero um café com leite, por favor.

카페라떼 한 잔 주세요.

동사 Querer: 소망 표현 및 주문하기 (quer, querem)
2

Ei, você quer ir ao cinema hoje à noite?

야, 너 오늘 밤에 영화 보러 갈래?

동사 Querer: 소망 표현 및 주문하기 (quer, querem)
3

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

비디오 링크 좀 보내줄 수 있어요?

정중하게 부탁하는 법 (Poder)
4

O senhor pode trazer a conta, por favor?

계산서 좀 가져다주시겠어요?

정중하게 부탁하는 법 (Poder)

팁과 요령 (4)

⚠️

'Quere'라고 하지 마세요!

초보자가 가장 많이 하는 실수예요. 3인칭은 'e' 없이 그냥 Ele quer sair.처럼 짧게 끊어주세요.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 동사 Querer: 소망 표현 및 주문하기 (quer, querem)
💡

픽스(Pix) 결제 팁

브라질에서 카페에 갔을 때 픽스로 결제할 수 있는지 물어보세요:
Posso pagar com Pix?
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 동사 PODER: '~할 수 있다'와 허가
💡

'Por Favor'의 마법

Você pode...도 충분히 정중하지만, 끝에 por favor를 붙이면 상대방을 존중하는 최고의 표현이 된답니다.
Você pode me ajudar, por favor?
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 정중하게 부탁하는 법 (Poder)
🎯

원어민처럼 '몰라요' 말하기

누가 질문했는데 정말 하나도 모르겠다면 브라질 사람들은 이렇게 말해요: Sei lá! '내가 알게 뭐야!' 혹은 '전혀 모르겠어!'라는 느낌이에요.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 동사 SABER: 사실과 기술 (알다/할 줄 알다)

핵심 어휘 (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]

자주 하는 실수

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

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

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

Wrong: Eu quero de ir.
정답: Eu quero ir.

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

Wrong: Eu sei João.
정답: 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

빠른 연습 (9)

빈칸에 'querer'의 올바른 형태를 채워보세요.

Eu ___ um sorvete de chocolate.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: quero
주어가 'Eu'(나)일 때는 동사 변화가 'quero'가 됩니다.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 동사 Querer: 소망 표현 및 주문하기 (quer, querem)

다음 중 올바른 문장을 고르세요.

'우리는 갈 수 있다'를 문법에 맞게 쓴 것은?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Nós podemos ir.
'poder' 동사를 변형(podemos)했다면, 뒤에 오는 동사는 원형(ir) 그대로 써야 합니다.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 동사 PODER: '~할 수 있다'와 허가

문장에서 틀린 부분을 찾아 고쳐보세요.

Find and fix the mistake:

Nós quer viajar amanhã.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Nós queremos viajar amanhã.
주어 'Nós'(우리)는 '-emos'로 끝나는 'queremos'와 짝꿍이에요.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 동사 Querer: 소망 표현 및 주문하기 (quer, querem)

'você'에 맞는 'poder'의 올바른 형태를 빈칸에 채워보세요.

Você ___ me ajudar com as malas, por favor?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: pode
'você'와 함께 쓰일 때 'poder'는 'pode'로 변신한답니다.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 정중하게 부탁하는 법 (Poder)

문법적으로 올바른 문장을 선택하세요.

'그녀는 물을 원해요'를 올바르게 말한 것은?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ela quer água.
'querer'의 3인칭 단수(Ela)는 불규칙하게 'quer'가 됩니다.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 동사 Querer: 소망 표현 및 주문하기 (quer, querem)

빈칸에 알맞은 'poder'의 형태를 채워보세요.

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

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: posso
'Eu'와 함께 쓰이는 'poder'의 불규칙 형태는 'posso'입니다.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 동사 PODER: '~할 수 있다'와 허가

틀린 부분을 찾아 고치세요.

Vocês pode abrir a janela?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Vocês podem abrir a janela?
'Vocês'에 맞는 동사 형태는 '-em'으로 끝나는 'podem'입니다.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 동사 PODER: '~할 수 있다'와 허가

커피를 주문할 때 가장 정중한 표현은 무엇일까요?

가장 정중한 부탁을 골라보세요:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Você pode me trazer um café, por favor?
'poder'와 'por favor'를 함께 쓰는 것이 가장 표준적이고 정중한 부탁 방식이에요.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 정중하게 부탁하는 법 (Poder)

이 문장에서 틀린 부분을 찾아 고쳐보세요.

Find and fix the mistake:

Você pode abre a porta para mim?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Você pode abrir a porta para mim?
'pode' 다음의 두 번째 동사는 변형하지 않은 원형(abrir)을 써야 해요.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 정중하게 부탁하는 법 (Poder)

Score: /9

자주 묻는 질문 (6)

포르투갈어는 효율성을 좋아해요! 'Quer'는 더 짧고 강렬하게 욕구를 표현하기 위해 진화했답니다. Ele quer café.
네, 하지만 조심하세요! Eu quero você는 아주 로맨틱하거나 육체적인 의미가 강해요. 친구나 가족에겐 'amar'나 'adorar'를 쓰세요.
둘 다 맞아요! 포르투갈어는 영어의 'can'과 'may'를 구분하지 않고 'posso' 하나로 다 써요. Posso entrar?라고 물어보세요.
불규칙 동사이기 때문이에요. 1인칭 단수(Eu)에서 소리를 유지하기 위해 모양이 변하는 경우가 많아요. Eu posso.
네, 특히 브라질에서는 아주 흔해요! 대화 맥락상 누구에게 말하는지 알 수 있으니까요. Pode me ajudar?라고 해도 충분히 자연스러워요.
아니요, '~할 수 있다'는 가능성이나 허락의 의미도 있어요. 예를 들어
Você pode estacionar aqui
는 '여기에 주차해도 돼요'라는 뜻이에요.
이전 챕터
Moving Through Your Day
다음 챕터
Asking Questions and Describing Existence
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