C2 Conjunctions & Connectors 5 min read 보통

Correlative Conjunctions of Alternation (Quer... quer, Seja... seja)

Master these correlative pairs to express sophisticated conditions and indifference with the precision of a native C2 speaker.
학습 완료로 표시
연습하기

Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

Use 'quer... quer' or 'seja... seja' to present two or more mutually exclusive or inclusive alternatives.

  • Use 'quer... quer' for formal, often literary, expressions of choice: 'Quer chova, quer faça sol, iremos.'
  • Use 'seja... seja' for hypothetical or indifferent alternatives: 'Seja rico, seja pobre, todos pagam.'
  • Ensure parallel structure: keep the grammatical category of the items being connected consistent.
Conjunction + A + Conjunction + B

Overview

Welcome to the sophisticated world of Portuguese correlative conjunctions. You are already a master of the basics. You know how to use ou to give a choice.
But at C2, you need more flavor. You need to express nuance and balance. That is where `Quer...
quer and Seja... seja` come in. These are correlative conjunctions of alternation.
They work in pairs to connect two balanced ideas. Think of them as the whether... or of Portuguese.
They show that both options lead to the same result. Or they show that the distinction does not matter. They add a layer of elegance to your speech.
You will sound like a diplomat or a poet. They are essential for high-level writing and formal debates. Let's dive into how they work.

How This Grammar Works

These conjunctions create a sense of symmetry. They link two words, phrases, or clauses. They suggest that the options are equivalent.
When you use them, you are focusing on the relationship between choices. Seja... seja is derived from the verb ser.
It literally means
be it... be it.
Quer... quer comes from the verb querer.
It implies
whether one wants... or wants.
Despite these origins, they function as fixed connectors. They usually trigger the subjunctive mood when followed by a verb.
This is because they deal with possibilities, not fixed facts. They are like a grammar balance scale. You place one weight on each side.
The sentence remains perfectly poised between two alternatives.

Formation Pattern

1
Identify two equivalent alternatives in your thought.
2
Choose your pair: Quer... quer or Seja... seja.
3
Place the first connector before the first alternative.
4
Add a comma after the first complete alternative.
5
Place the second connector before the second alternative.
6
Ensure both sides have the same grammatical structure.
7
Use the subjunctive mood if verbs follow the connectors.
8
Check that the meaning remains balanced and logical.

When To Use It

You should use these in formal settings. They are perfect for academic papers. Use them during job interviews to show flexibility.
Imagine a recruiter asks about your work style. You say, Seja em equipe, seja sozinho, entrego resultados. This sounds much more professional than using ou. Use them when you want to express indifference.
For example, when ordering at a fancy restaurant. Quer seja o peixe, quer seja a carne, a escolha é sua. It shows you are easy-going but articulate. They are also great for legal or technical documents.
They define conditions that apply regardless of the specific scenario. Use them to sound authoritative and precise.

When Not To Use It

Do not use these in very casual conversations. If you are buying bread, keep it simple. Using Seja integral, seja branco at the bakery is overkill.
It might make the baker think you are a time traveler. Avoid them when you want to express a strict
one or the other
choice. If there is a clear exclusion, `ou...
ou` is better. Do not use them if you only have one alternative. They require a pair to function correctly.
Also, avoid them if you are unsure of the subjunctive. A mistake here is very noticeable at the C2 level. If the tone is relaxed, these will feel too stiff.
Think of them like a tuxedo for your sentences.

Common Mistakes

One common mistake is mixing the pairs. Never say Seja isso, quer aquilo. It is like wearing one boot and one sandal. It just doesn't work. Another error is forgetting the comma. In Portuguese, these correlative pairs almost always need a comma. Many people also forget the subjunctive mood. Saying Seja ele é is a major red flag. It must be Seja ele seja. Some people use ou at the end of the first part. Seja isso ou seja aquilo is redundant and incorrect. Finally, watch out for grammatical asymmetry. If you start with a noun, end with a noun. Don't switch from a noun to a full clause halfway through. Consistency is the key to elegance.

Contrast With Similar Patterns

How do these differ from ou... ou? `Ou...
ou is a strict alternative. It is
Either A or B.
Usually, you must choose one. Seja...
seja is more about conditions. It is
Whether it is A or B.
The outcome remains the same. Then we have ora...
ora. This expresses alternation over time. Ora chove, ora faz sol.` It means "Now it rains, now it's sunny." It is about a sequence, not a condition.
Quer... quer is very similar to seja... seja.
However, quer can feel slightly more literary. It is often used in philosophical or poetic contexts. Seja is the workhorse of formal modern Portuguese.
Choose based on the vibe you want to project.

Quick FAQ

Q

Can I use seja three times?

Yes, for multiple options, like seja A, seja B, seja C.

Q

Is quer... quer old-fashioned?

A little bit, but it is still very common in high-level prose.

Q

Do I always need the subjunctive?

Usually, yes, if a verb follows the connector directly.

Q

Is there a difference in meaning between the two?

Not really; they are mostly interchangeable in formal contexts.

Q

Can I use them in emails?

Yes, they are great for professional correspondence and clarity.

Correlative Structure

Conjunction Element 1 Conjunction Element 2
Quer
chova
quer
faça sol
Seja
rico
seja
pobre
Quer
o pai
quer
a mãe
Seja
na sala
seja
no quarto

Meanings

These correlative conjunctions link two or more alternatives, indicating that the outcome is independent of which option is chosen.

1

Indifference/Inclusivity

Indicates that the result remains the same regardless of the alternative.

“Seja cedo, seja tarde, ele nunca chega a tempo.”

“Quer gostem, quer não, a decisão está tomada.”

2

Formal Alternation

Used in formal or literary contexts to list possibilities.

“Quer o governo, quer a oposição, todos concordam.”

“Quer pela força, quer pela diplomacia, a paz será alcançada.”

Reference Table

Reference table for Correlative Conjunctions of Alternation (Quer... quer, Seja... seja)
Form Structure Example
Affirmative
Quer A, quer B
Quer o João, quer a Maria foram.
Affirmative
Seja A, seja B
Seja cedo, seja tarde, irei.
Negative
Quer não A, quer não B
Quer não queira, quer não possa, fará.
Question
Seja A ou B?
Seja hoje ou amanhã, você vem?
Short Answer
Seja A ou B
Seja um ou outro, tanto faz.

격식 수준 스펙트럼

격식체
Quer chova, quer faça sol, partiremos.

Quer chova, quer faça sol, partiremos. (Planning a trip)

중립
Seja com chuva ou com sol, vamos.

Seja com chuva ou com sol, vamos. (Planning a trip)

비격식체
Seja sol ou chuva, a gente vai.

Seja sol ou chuva, a gente vai. (Planning a trip)

속어
Chovendo ou não, bora!

Chovendo ou não, bora! (Planning a trip)

Alternation Map

Alternation

Formal

  • Quer... quer Whether... or

Hypothetical

  • Seja... seja Be it... or
무료 가입하고 전체 설명 읽기

수준별 예문

1

Seja café, seja chá, eu gosto.

Whether it's coffee or tea, I like it.

2

Seja hoje, seja amanhã, vou ir.

Whether it's today or tomorrow, I will go.

1

Quer chova, quer faça sol, vamos.

Whether it rains or is sunny, we are going.

2

Seja rico, seja pobre, todos morrem.

Whether rich or poor, everyone dies.

1

Quer o chefe, quer os funcionários, todos querem férias.

Whether it's the boss or the employees, everyone wants vacation.

2

Seja por e-mail, seja por telefone, avise-me.

Whether by email or phone, let me know.

1

Quer pela economia, quer pela política, o país está mudando.

Whether due to the economy or politics, the country is changing.

2

Seja qual for o motivo, seja qual for a desculpa, não aceito.

Whatever the reason, whatever the excuse, I don't accept it.

1

Quer o autor pretenda, quer não, o texto é ambíguo.

Whether the author intends it or not, the text is ambiguous.

2

Seja qual for a interpretação, seja qual for a teoria, o fato permanece.

Whatever the interpretation, whatever the theory, the fact remains.

1

Quer se trate de uma questão de ética, quer de uma questão de lei, a resposta é a mesma.

Whether it is a matter of ethics or a matter of law, the answer is the same.

2

Seja por convicção, seja por conveniência, ele mudou de lado.

Whether out of conviction or convenience, he changed sides.

혼동하기 쉬운

Correlative Conjunctions of Alternation (Quer... quer, Seja... seja) 대 Ou... ou

Learners use 'ou... ou' when they mean 'whether... or'.

Correlative Conjunctions of Alternation (Quer... quer, Seja... seja) 대 Nem... nem

Learners mix up negative alternation with correlative alternation.

Correlative Conjunctions of Alternation (Quer... quer, Seja... seja) 대 Tanto... quanto

Used for addition rather than alternation.

자주 하는 실수

✗

Quer chova ou sol.

✓

Quer chova, quer faça sol.

Must repeat the conjunction.
✗

Seja café ou chá.

✓

Seja café, seja chá.

Missing the second 'seja'.
✗

Quer chova, seja sol.

✓

Quer chova, quer faça sol.

Mixing conjunction types.
✗

Quer o João ou a Maria.

✓

Quer o João, quer a Maria.

Using 'ou' instead of repeating 'quer'.
✗

Seja que eu vá, seja que eu fico.

✓

Seja que eu vá, seja que eu fique.

Verb tense mismatch.
✗

Quer ele gosta, quer ele não gosta.

✓

Quer ele goste, quer ele não goste.

Subjunctive mood required.
✗

Quer a economia, quer o social, tudo falhou.

✓

Quer a economia, quer a área social, tudo falhou.

Parallelism error.
✗

Seja por causa de X, ou por causa de Y.

✓

Seja por causa de X, seja por causa de Y.

Redundant 'ou'.
✗

Quer se trate de X, ou Y.

✓

Quer se trate de X, quer se trate de Y.

Incomplete parallel structure.

문장 패턴

Seja ___, seja ___, eu não me importo.

Quer ___, quer ___, o resultado é o mesmo.

Seja qual for ___, seja qual for ___, decida logo.

Real World Usage

Job Interview common

Seja em equipe, seja individualmente, trabalho bem.

Texting occasional

Seja na praia ou no bar, avisa!

Academic Paper very common

Quer o método A, quer o método B, a falha persiste.

무료 가입하고 모든 예문 보기
💡

Parallelism

Ensure the words following the conjunctions are of the same part of speech.
⚠️

Don't skip

Never omit the second conjunction; it's what makes the sentence 'correlative'.
🎯

Subjunctive

Use the subjunctive mood after 'quer' or 'seja' when referring to hypothetical or future events.

Smart Tips

Repeat the conjunction for every single item to maintain rhythm.

Seja A, B ou C. → Seja A, seja B, seja C.

Use 'quer... quer' to show logical balance.

O governo tem problemas com A e B. → Quer o governo enfrente A, quer enfrente B, o problema persiste.

Use 'seja... seja' to show that the outcome is independent of the choice.

Não importa se é A ou B, eu vou. → Seja A, seja B, eu vou.

발음

Se-ja [pause] se-ja

Rhythm

Maintain a steady cadence for both segments.

Balanced

Seja A ↗, seja B ↘.

Rising on the first, falling on the second.

암기하기

기억법

Think of 'Quer' as a 'Questioner' (formal) and 'Seja' as a 'Suggestion' (hypothetical).

시각적 연상

Imagine a scale. Whether you put a gold bar (A) or a feather (B) on it, the scale stays perfectly balanced. The conjunctions are the chains holding the scale.

Rhyme

Quer ou seja, a escolha é sua, a regra é clara, a frase flutua.

Story

Maria was indecisive. 'Seja café, seja chá,' she said. Her boss, a formal man, replied: 'Quer trabalhe, quer descanse, o prazo é hoje.' Maria sighed, realizing the outcome was the same.

Word Web

QuerSejaAlternativaIndiferençaEscolhaCondição

챌린지

Write three sentences about your day using 'Seja... seja' to describe things that don't change your mood.

문화 노트

Often used in casual speech to emphasize indifference.

More frequently used in formal journalistic writing.

Derived from Latin 'quis' (who/what) and 'sedere' (to be).

대화 시작하기

“

Seja no verão, seja no inverno, qual estação você prefere?

“

Quer você estude, quer você trabalhe, como é seu dia?

“

Seja qual for o seu objetivo, como você se prepara?

일기 주제

Write about two things you do every day regardless of your mood.
Discuss a political or social issue using formal correlatives.
Describe a difficult decision and why the outcome was inevitable.

자주 하는 실수

Incorrect

정답

Incorrect

정답

Incorrect

정답

Incorrect

정답

Sign up free to see all tips

Test Yourself

Complete the sentence.

___ chova, ___ faça sol, eu vou.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Quer/quer
The correlative pair is 'quer... quer'.
Find the error. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Seja rico ou pobre, ele ajuda.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Seja rico, seja pobre
Requires repetition of 'seja'.
Which is more formal? 객관식

Choose the formal option.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Quer... quer
'Quer... quer' is typically used in formal/literary contexts.
Reorder the words. Sentence Reorder

Arrange the words in the correct order:

All words placed

Click words above to build the sentence

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Seja o esforço, seja o resultado, é o mesmo.
Correct correlative structure.

Score: /4

연습 문제

4 exercises
Complete the sentence.

___ chova, ___ faça sol, eu vou.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Quer/quer
The correlative pair is 'quer... quer'.
Find the error. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Seja rico ou pobre, ele ajuda.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Seja rico, seja pobre
Requires repetition of 'seja'.
Which is more formal? 객관식

Choose the formal option.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Quer... quer
'Quer... quer' is typically used in formal/literary contexts.
Reorder the words. Sentence Reorder

seja / seja / o / o / resultado / esforço / o / mesmo

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Seja o esforço, seja o resultado, é o mesmo.
Correct correlative structure.

Score: /4

자주 묻는 질문 (6)

No, that is a common mistake. You must repeat the conjunction.

It is more common in formal writing, but you will hear it in speeches and debates.

Yes, 'seja' is for possibilities/indifference, 'quer' is for formal alternation.

Yes, you can list as many as you like: 'Seja A, seja B, seja C...'

Often yes, especially if the alternatives are hypothetical.

Yes, both structures are standard in all Portuguese-speaking countries.

Scaffolded Practice

1

1

2

2

3

3

4

4

Mastery Progress

Needs Practice

Improving

Strong

Mastered

무료 가입하고 연습하기

In Other Languages

Spanish high

Sea... sea

None.

French high

Soit... soit

French 'soit' is more common than Portuguese 'quer'.

German moderate

Sei es... sei es

German is more rigid with word order.

Japanese partial

AであれBであれ

Japanese is agglutinative, placing the marker at the end of the clause.

Arabic partial

Sawa'an... aw

Arabic uses 'aw' (or) in the second part.

Learning Path

Prerequisites

Previous
Semantic Shifts in Plural Nouns (Nuances of 'Bens', 'Férias', 'Costumes')
Next
The Affective 'Se' and Ethic Dative (Se de Realce / Afetivo)

Related Grammar Rules

A2

생각 연결하기: 포르투갈어 접속사 (e, mas, ou)

Overview 포르투갈어로 이야기를 하다가 문득 자신이 로봇처럼 들린다는 것을 깨달은 적이 있나요? "나는 해변에 간다. 나는 바...
Was this helpful?

댓글 (0)

로그인하여 댓글 달기
아직 댓글이 없습니다. 첫 번째로 생각을 공유하세요!