A1 · Beginner Chapter 18

Asking Questions and Describing Existence

4 Total Rules
41 examples
5 min
Rules in This Chapter Quick Practice

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.

What You'll Learn

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'.

Chapter Guide

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!

Key Examples (8)

1

Eu pergunto o preço do café.

I ask the price of the coffee.

Asking Questions: The Verb 'Perguntar'
2

Você pergunta ao motorista se ele aceita Pix?

Do you ask the driver if he accepts Pix?

Asking Questions: The Verb 'Perguntar'
3

Eu peço um café com leite, por favor.

I'll order a coffee with milk, please.

How to Ask for Things & Order Food (Pedir)
4

Você pede o Uber ou eu peço?

Are you ordering the Uber or am I?

How to Ask for Things & Order Food (Pedir)
5

Há um gato na minha cama.

There is a cat on my bed.

Saying 'There Is/Are' (Há)
6

Há muitas pessoas neste restaurante.

There are many people in this restaurant.

Saying 'There Is/Are' (Há)
7

Tem um Uber chegando agora.

There is an Uber arriving now.

Using 'Ter' for 'There is/are' (Colloquial)
8

Tem muitas fotos novas no seu Instagram.

There are many new photos on your Instagram.

Using 'Ter' for 'There is/are' (Colloquial)

Tips & Tricks (4)

💡

The 'Se' Trick

When asking a yes/no question indirectly, always use 'se'. It means 'if' or 'whether'.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Asking Questions: The Verb 'Perguntar'
💡

The 'Eu' Rule

Always remember the 'ç' in 'peço'. It is the only irregular form.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: How to Ask for Things & Order Food (Pedir)
💡

Keep it simple

Don't worry about pluralizing 'há'. It is the same for one or many.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Saying 'There Is/Are' (Há)
💡

Keep it simple

Don't overthink the grammar. Just use 'tem' for everything.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Using 'Ter' for 'There is/are' (Colloquial)

Key Vocabulary (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]

Common Mistakes

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

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

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

Quick Practice (10)

Complete the sentence.

Posso ___ uma coisa?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: perguntar
After 'posso' use the infinitive.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Asking Questions: The Verb 'Perguntar'

Correct the sentence.

Find and fix the mistake:

Hão muitos carros na rua.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Há muitos carros na rua.
Pluralization is incorrect.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Saying 'There Is/Are' (Há)

Select the correct form.

Eles ___ o caminho.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: perguntam
Eles takes the -am ending.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Asking Questions: The Verb 'Perguntar'

Select the best option.

___ muitas opções no menu.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Tem
Colloquial existential.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Using 'Ter' for 'There is/are' (Colloquial)

Fix the sentence.

Find and fix the mistake:

Eu pergunto o professor.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: d
Both 'a' and 'para' are correct.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Asking Questions: The Verb 'Perguntar'

Fill in the blank.

___ um café na mesa.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Tem
Use 'tem' for existence.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Using 'Ter' for 'There is/are' (Colloquial)

Which verb is for information?

Eu ___ que horas são.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: pergunto
Perguntar is for info.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: How to Ask for Things & Order Food (Pedir)

Conjugate 'pedir' for 'Eu'.

___ um café.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: peço
Irregular form.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: How to Ask for Things & Order Food (Pedir)

Fill in the blank with the correct form.

___ muitos alunos na sala.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Há
'Há' is the only correct existential verb.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Saying 'There Is/Are' (Há)

Select the correct form.

Ela ___ um favor.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: pede
3rd person singular.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: How to Ask for Things & Order Food (Pedir)

Score: /10

Common Questions (6)

Yes, it is a perfectly regular -ar verb in the present tense.
No, use 'pedir' for requests.
Only in the 'eu' form. The rest is regular.
No, use 'perguntar'.
Because 'haver' is an impersonal verb. It doesn't have a subject, so it stays in the third-person singular.
Yes, in informal Brazilian Portuguese, 'tem' is very common. However, 'há' is preferred in formal writing.
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