A1 · Beginner Chapter 11

Asking and Answering Questions

4 Total Rules
39 examples
6 min
Rules in This Chapter Quick Practice

Chapter in 30 Seconds

Unlock the power of conversation by mastering negation, questioning, and descriptive adjectives in Portuguese.

  • Transform positive statements into negative ones using 'não'.
  • Ask questions simply by adjusting your vocal intonation.
  • Identify the correct placement of adjectives after nouns.
Ask, negate, and describe with confidence!

What You'll Learn

Hey friend! Ready to make your conversations way more engaging? This chapter is exactly what you need. You've learned plenty of words and sentences so far, but how do you ask questions or say 'no'? Or, for example, how do you say 'blue car'? Here, you'll discover how incredibly easy it is to make a sentence negative. Just place the word 'não' before your verb, and you're done! Now you can say things like "I don't eat." Next, we'll dive into asking questions. Can you believe that for 'yes/no' questions in Portuguese, all you have to do is change your intonation? Yes, you heard that right! You say the sentence exactly as it is, just raise your voice at the end. It's super cool! Now, what if you want to ask 'What?', 'Who?', or 'Where?' Don't worry, we'll learn that too. You'll start with the question word, add the verb, and then throw in a nice 'é que' to sound like a native. For instance, if you're at a restaurant and want to ask What is that? or get directions from someone

Where should I go?
, all of this will be smooth sailing with these rules. And finally, we'll learn where to put adjectives. In English, we say 'blue car,' but in Portuguese, most of the time, you need to put the noun first, then the adjective. Like 'carro azul.' So, after this chapter, you'll be able to ask and answer questions in Portuguese, use negation, and make your descriptions much more precise. Ready for a real conversation? Let's go!

Learning Objectives

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

  1. 1
    By the end you will be able to: create negative sentences, ask basic questions, and describe objects using adjectives.

Chapter Guide

Overview

Welcome to a crucial chapter in your Portuguese grammar A1 journey! You've mastered basic sentences, but true conversation starts with asking and answering questions. This guide will unlock your ability to interact more naturally, moving beyond simple statements to engaging dialogues. We'll explore how to effortlessly turn a statement into a question, express negation, and make your descriptions vibrant. Understanding these foundational elements is key to progressing through the CEFR levels, especially at the A1 Portuguese stage, where practical communication is paramount. By the end of this chapter, you'll be confidently using negation in Portuguese, asking for information, and correctly placing adjectives in Portuguese to sound more like a native speaker. Get ready to transform your understanding and start real conversations!
This chapter is designed to make complex-sounding rules incredibly simple. We'll show you how easy it is to say "no" or "I don't" in Portuguese, often with just one little word. You'll also discover the magic of intonation for asking simple yes/no questions – it's a game-changer! Furthermore, we'll equip you with essential question words like "who," "what," and "where," and clarify one of the most common challenges for English speakers: adjective placement. These building blocks are essential for anyone learning Portuguese grammar and will significantly boost your conversational fluency right from the start.

How This Grammar Works

Let's dive into the practical side of Portuguese grammar A1 with these essential communication tools. First, Saying 'No': Negation in Portuguese (Não) couldn't be simpler. To make any sentence negative, you just place the word não (no/not) directly *before* the verb. For example, if you want to say "I eat," which is Eu como (I eat), to say "I don't eat," it becomes Eu não como (I don't eat). It’s that straightforward! Another example: Ela fala (She speaks) becomes Ela não fala (She doesn't speak).
Next, for Yes/No Questions: The Intonation Rule, prepare to be amazed by its simplicity. Unlike English, which often uses auxiliary verbs like "do" or "are" for questions, Portuguese mostly relies on your voice. You say the statement exactly as it is, but raise your pitch at the end to indicate it’s a question. For instance, Você fala português (You speak Portuguese) becomes a question just by saying Você fala português? (Do you speak Portuguese?) with a rising intonation. Similarly, Ele é estudante (He is a student) becomes Ele é estudante? (Is he a student?) by simply changing your tone.
When it comes to Asking Questions: Who, What, Where (Interrogatives), you'll learn key question words. The most common ones for beginners are Quem? (Who?), O quê? (What?), and Onde? (Where?). Often, to make these questions sound more natural and conversational, especially in Brazilian Portuguese, you'll hear them combined with é que. For example:
* Quem é? (Who is it?) or more commonly, Quem é que é? (Who is it?).
* O quê é isso? (What is that?) or O que é que é isso? (What is that?).
* Onde é? (Where is it?) or Onde é que é? (Where is it?).
Remember, the é que construction is common and helps structure the question smoothly, though it's not strictly mandatory for all question words.
Finally, let's look at Where to Put Adjectives: Noun First! (carro azul). This is a common point of confusion for English speakers. In Portuguese, adjectives generally come *after* the noun they describe. So, while in English you say "blue car," in Portuguese, it's carro azul (car blue). Another example: "big house" is casa grande (house big). This pattern is crucial for correct adjective placement Portuguese and will make your descriptions much clearer.

Common Mistakes

  1. 1✗ Wrong: "Eu como não." (I eat not.)
✓ Correct: "Eu não como." (I don't eat.)
*Explanation:* In Portuguese, the negation word não almost always comes directly *before* the verb. Placing it after the verb is incorrect.
  1. 1✗ Wrong: "Eu tenho azul carro." (I have blue car.)
✓ Correct: "Eu tenho um carro azul." (I have a blue car.)
*Explanation:* Adjectives in Portuguese typically follow the noun they describe. Remember the pattern: Noun + Adjective. Also, don't forget the article (um/uma) if referring to "a" car.
  1. 1✗ Wrong: "Você faz fala português?" (You do speak Portuguese?)
✓ Correct: "Você fala português?" (Do you speak Portuguese?)
*Explanation:* For simple yes/no questions, Portuguese does not use an auxiliary verb like "do" or "are." You simply use the statement form with a rising intonation at the end.

Real Conversations

A

A

Você fala inglês? (Do you speak English?)
B

B

Não, eu não falo inglês. Eu falo português. (No, I don't speak English. I speak Portuguese.)
A

A

Onde é que é o banheiro? (Where is the bathroom?)
B

B

O banheiro é ali, à direita. (The bathroom is there, on the right.)
A

A

Você tem um carro novo? (Do you have a new car?)
B

B

Sim, eu tenho um carro novo e grande. (Yes, I have a new and big car.)

Quick FAQ

Q

How do you form negative sentences in Portuguese?

Simply place the word não directly before the verb in the sentence. For example, Eu não gosto (I don't like).

Q

Do Portuguese yes/no questions use a special word?

No, for most A1-level yes/no questions, you just use the statement form of the sentence and indicate it's a question by raising your intonation at the end.

Q

Where do adjectives go in Portuguese sentences?

In Portuguese, adjectives generally come *after* the noun they describe. For example, livro interessante (interesting book).

Q

What are some basic question words in Portuguese for A1 learners?

Essential question words include Quem? (Who?), O quê? (What?), and Onde? (Where?). You'll often hear them with é que for a more natural flow.

Cultural Context

In Brazil, the use of é que with interrogatives like Onde é que é? is very common and sounds natural in everyday speech. While not strictly necessary, employing it will make your questions sound more authentic. Intonation for yes/no questions is crucial; a flat tone might be misinterpreted as a statement. Brazilians also tend to be very expressive with their intonation, so don't be afraid to exaggerate a little when asking questions! For adjective placement, while the noun-adjective order is the rule, some common or emphasized adjectives can occasionally precede the noun, but stick to noun-adjective for now at A1.

Key Examples (8)

1

Eu não falo português.

I don't speak Portuguese.

Saying 'No': Negation in Portuguese (Não)
2

Ela não gosta de pizza.

She doesn't like pizza.

Saying 'No': Negation in Portuguese (Não)
3

Você tem Instagram?

Do you have Instagram?

Yes/No Questions: The Intonation Rule
4

Ela mora perto daqui?

Does she live near here?

Yes/No Questions: The Intonation Rule
5

Onde é que fica o metrô mais próximo?

Where is the nearest subway station?

Asking Questions: Who, What, Where (Interrogatives)
6

Com quem você vai sair hoje à noite?

Who are you going out with tonight?

Asking Questions: Who, What, Where (Interrogatives)
7

Eu tenho um carro vermelho.

I have a red car.

Where to Put Adjectives: Noun First! (`carro azul`)
8

Ela é uma amiga boa.

She is a good friend.

Where to Put Adjectives: Noun First! (`carro azul`)

Tips & Tricks (4)

💡

Keep it simple

Don't look for complex structures. Just 'não' + verb.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Saying 'No': Negation in Portuguese (Não)
💡

Listen to music

Listen to Portuguese songs to hear how the pitch rises in questions.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Yes/No Questions: The Intonation Rule
💡

Intonation is Key

Even if your grammar is perfect, your tone must rise at the end of the sentence to signal a question.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Asking Questions: Who, What, Where (Interrogatives)
💡

Check the article

If you see 'o', the noun is masculine. If you see 'a', it's feminine. Use this to match your adjective.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Where to Put Adjectives: Noun First! (`carro azul`)

Key Vocabulary (6)

não no/not o quê what quem who onde where azul blue carro car

Real-World Preview

map

Asking for Directions

Review Summary

  • Subject + NÃO + Verb
  • Statement + ?
  • Interrogative + Verb + (é que) + Subject
  • Noun + Adjective

Common Mistakes

In Portuguese, the negative marker 'não' must precede the verb, not follow it.

Wrong: Eu como maçã não.
Correct: Eu não como maçã.

Adjectives in Portuguese almost always come after the noun they modify.

Wrong: Azul carro.
Correct: Carro azul.

While 'é que' is used for emphasis, using it twice in one question is redundant.

Wrong: Onde é que é o carro?
Correct: Onde é o carro?

Next Steps

You've done an amazing job! You're truly starting to speak like a native. Keep going!

Describe your room to a friend

Continue to: Describing and Comparing Things

Quick Practice (10)

Correct the sentence.

Find and fix the mistake:

Do você está?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Onde você está?
Remove 'do'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Asking Questions: Who, What, Where (Interrogatives)

Correct the sentence.

Find and fix the mistake:

Eu não do falo.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Eu não falo.
No do-support.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Saying 'No': Negation in Portuguese (Não)

Choose the correct interrogative.

___ é esse objeto?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: O que
Use 'O que' for objects.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Asking Questions: Who, What, Where (Interrogatives)

Fix the mistake.

Find and fix the mistake:

Os carros é bonito.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Os carros são bonitos
Plural agreement.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Where to Put Adjectives: Noun First! (`carro azul`)

Fix the sentence.

Find and fix the mistake:

Do você gosta de música?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Você gosta de música?
Remove 'do'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Yes/No Questions: The Intonation Rule

Choose the correct question.

Which is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Onde você mora?
Standard word order.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Asking Questions: Who, What, Where (Interrogatives)

Choose the correct sentence.

Which is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Eu não falo.
Word order.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Saying 'No': Negation in Portuguese (Não)

Fill in the blank.

Ela tem olhos ___ (castanho).

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: castanhos
Plural masculine agreement.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Where to Put Adjectives: Noun First! (`carro azul`)

Fill in the blank with the correct interrogative.

___ é o seu nome?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Qual
Use 'Qual' for names.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Asking Questions: Who, What, Where (Interrogatives)

Which is the correct question?

a) Do você fala? b) Você fala? c) Fala você?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: b
Portuguese does not use 'do'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Yes/No Questions: The Intonation Rule

Score: /10

Common Questions (6)

No, Portuguese does not use auxiliary 'do'. Just use 'não'.
Yes, they are standard and encouraged.
No, keep the word order the same as a statement.
By the rising pitch at the end and the question mark.
Not necessarily. In Portuguese, you can keep the subject-verb order.
Yes, it is written as two words.
Previous Chapter
First Encounters and Basic Sentences
Next Chapter
Describing and Comparing Things
Back to Roadmap