A1 Sentence Structure 21 min read Easy

Asking Questions: Who, What, Where (Interrogatives)

Start with the question word, add the verb, and use é que for natural native flow.
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Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

In Portuguese, you simply place the interrogative word at the start of the sentence and add a question mark at the end.

  • Use 'Quem' for people: 'Quem é você?' (Who are you?)
  • Use 'O que' for things: 'O que é isto?' (What is this?)
  • Use 'Onde' for places: 'Onde você mora?' (Where do you live?)
Question Word + Verb + Subject + ?

Overview

Effective communication in any language hinges on the ability to solicit information, a skill fundamentally enabled by interrogative words. In Portuguese, these words—often referred to as question words—serve as essential tools for initiating conversations and navigating unfamiliar situations. For learners at the A1 CEFR level, mastering these interrogatives provides immediate practical utility, allowing for basic inquiries about people, objects, locations, and timings.

Understanding their structure and usage is paramount for constructing foundational questions.

Unlike languages with rigid inversion requirements for questions, Portuguese offers a degree of flexibility, especially in informal contexts. This characteristic allows learners to adapt statements into questions with relative ease once the appropriate interrogative is introduced. The focus for A1 learners is not on intricate grammatical nuances but on the core function of these words in obtaining specific pieces of information.

This guide provides a structured approach to comprehending and applying the primary Portuguese interrogatives, establishing a solid framework for more advanced questioning techniques.

How This Grammar Works

Portuguese interrogatives function as linguistic anchors, signaling to the listener the precise nature of the information being sought. Each interrogative word corresponds to a specific category of inquiry, simplifying the comprehension process for both the speaker and the listener. These words typically precede the main clause in a question, setting the communicative intent from the outset.
Their primary role is to replace the unknown element in a statement, transforming a declarative sentence into an interrogative one.
The core set of interrogatives includes words for 'who,' 'what,' and 'where,' which are foundational for A1-level communication. Understanding their invariant and variant forms is crucial. While most interrogatives maintain a consistent form regardless of context, some, particularly those related to quantity or choice, inflect to agree with the gender and number of the noun they modify.
This agreement reflects a fundamental aspect of Portuguese grammar, where adjectives and determiners often align with the noun's characteristics. This section details the primary interrogatives and their fundamental applications.
Key Interrogative Words:
  • Quem: Who? Refers exclusively to people. It is invariant in gender and number. Example: Quem é você? (Who are you?)
  • O que / Que: What? Used for inanimate objects, concepts, or actions. O que is generally used when 'what' is the object or subject of a verb, while Que often precedes a noun. Example: O que você quer? (What do you want?) and Que livro você está lendo? (What book are you reading?)
  • Onde: Where? Indicates a static location. It is invariant. Example: Onde fica o banheiro? (Where is the bathroom?)
  • Quando: When? Refers to time. It is invariant. Example: Quando é a sua aula? (When is your class?)
  • Como: How? or What? Asks about manner, method, or quality. It is invariant. Example: Como você está? (How are you?)
  • Por que (or Por quê): Why? Inquires about reasons. Por que is used at the beginning or in the middle of a question, while Por quê is used at the end. Example: Por que você está aqui? (Why are you here?)
  • Qual (plural Quais): Which? or What? Used when there is a choice or selection from a defined or implied set. It agrees in number. Example: Qual é o seu nome? (What is your name? - implying 'which one' among all possible names) or Quais são os seus livros favoritos? (Which are your favorite books?)
  • Quanto (and Quanta, Quantos, Quantas): How much? or How many? Asks about quantity. This interrogative inflects for gender and number to agree with the noun it modifies. Example: Quanto tempo você tem? (How much time do you have?) or Quantas pessoas vêm? (How many people are coming?)

Word Order Rules

Portuguese generally exhibits more flexible word order in interrogative sentences compared to English, particularly in informal spoken language. The primary rule is that the interrogative word typically initiates the question. This initial placement provides immediate context regarding the type of information being sought.
Deviations from this initial placement are rare and usually serve specific rhetorical purposes, such as emphasis or surprise.
There are two primary structures for constructing questions with interrogatives, reflecting varying degrees of formality and regional preference:
  1. 1Standard/Formal Structure: Interrogative Word + Verb + Subject. This mirrors a more traditional or formal linguistic structure, prevalent in European Portuguese and formal Brazilian Portuguese. The verb often appears immediately after the interrogative, followed by the subject. Example: Onde mora o seu irmão? (Where does your brother live?). This structure maintains a clear separation, making it unambiguous.
  1. 1Casual/Common Structure: Interrogative Word + Subject + Verb. This is exceptionally common in informal Brazilian Portuguese and increasingly present in spoken European Portuguese. The subject is placed between the interrogative word and the verb, resembling a declarative sentence with an interrogative prefix. Example: Onde o seu irmão mora? (Where your brother lives?). Both structures are grammatically correct, with the latter often sounding more natural in everyday conversation.
The é que Construction:
A common and idiomatic feature in Portuguese is the insertion of é que (literally 'is it that') after an interrogative word. This construction does not alter the question's meaning but serves to emphasize the interrogative and can make the question sound more natural and rhythmic to native speakers. It is particularly prevalent in European Portuguese, where it is often considered mandatory in certain contexts, and also widely used in Brazilian Portuguese.
  • Structure: Interrogative Word + é que + Subject + Verb (or Verb + Subject)
  • Example (BP): Onde é que você trabalha? (Where is it that you work? / Where do you work?)
  • Example (EP): Quem é que te ligou? (Who is it that called you? / Who called you?)
This construction softens the directness of the question and is a marker of fluent, natural speech. While optional, its use can significantly enhance the learner's integration into native speech patterns. Omitting é que can sometimes sound abrupt or overly formal, depending on the context and region.
Conversely, excessive use in every question might sound repetitive or somewhat artificial.
Emphasis and Surprise:
Placing an interrogative word at the very end of a sentence is grammatically atypical and is reserved exclusively for conveying strong emotion, such as surprise, disbelief, or intense emphasis. This deviation from the standard initial placement dramatically shifts the tone of the question.
  • Example: Você vai para onde?! (You're going where?!) - Implies shock or a demand for clarification.
This construction is highly informal and should be used judiciously to avoid misunderstanding or sounding aggressive.

Formation Pattern

1
Forming questions with interrogative words in Portuguese follows a straightforward pattern, primarily involving the selection of the correct interrogative, appropriate verb conjugation, and logical placement of other sentence elements. The underlying principle is to substitute the unknown information with the interrogative word.
2
Basic Three-Step Construction:
3
Choose the Interrogative: Select the question word that targets the specific information you seek (e.g., Quem for a person, Onde for a place, O que for a thing/action).
4
Conjugate the Verb: Ensure the verb is conjugated correctly to agree with the subject (even if the subject is implicit or follows the verb). For A1, this typically involves present tense conjugations.
5
Add Remaining Elements: Complete the sentence with the subject (if explicit and not already incorporated into the verb conjugation) and any objects or adverbs.
6
Example Breakdown:
7
| Step | Action | Example (Portuguese) | Example (English) |
8
| :---------------------- | :------------------------------ | :------------------- | :----------------------- |
9
| 1. Interrogative | "Where" | Onde | Where |
10
| 2. Verb | "is" (from ser) | é | is |
11
| 3. Remaining Element | "the book" (o livro) | o livro | the book |
12
| Resulting Question | Onde é o livro? | Where is the book? |
13
This pattern provides a robust framework for constructing most basic questions. For questions involving actions, the subject often follows the verb, especially in formal contexts, or precedes it in more casual settings:
14
Formal: Quando chega o trem? (When arrives the train? / When does the train arrive?)
15
Casual: Quando o trem chega? (When the train arrives? / When does the train arrive?)
16
Integrating é que:
17
As previously discussed, the é que construction can be seamlessly integrated into this pattern to enhance naturalness. It typically slots in directly after the interrogative word.
18
| Step | Action | Example (Portuguese) | Example (English) |
19
| :---------------------- | :------------------------------ | :--------------------- | :--------------------------- |
20
| 1. Interrogative | "What" | O que | What |
21
| 2. é que (Optional) | é que | é que | (literal: is it that) |
22
| 3. Subject + Verb | "you want" (você quer) | você quer | you want |
23
| Resulting Question | O que é que você quer? | What is it that you want? |
24
Understanding this flexible yet structured formation allows learners to build a wide array of functional questions from the outset.

When To Use It

Each interrogative word in Portuguese serves a distinct purpose, guiding the listener towards the specific information being sought. Proficiency involves not only knowing the words but understanding their appropriate contextual application. Incorrect usage can lead to confusion or awkward phrasing, even if the individual words are known.
Asking about People (Quem):
  • Use Quem to identify individuals or groups of people. It never changes form.
  • Quem está na porta? (Who is at the door?)
  • Quem são essas pessoas? (Who are those people?)
  • Quem te disse isso? (Who told you that?)
Asking about Things/Actions (O que / Que):
  • Use O que when asking about a general concept, an action, or when 'what' acts as the subject or object of a verb without a noun immediately following. For example, O que é isso? (What is this?) - asking for identification of an unknown item. O que você faz? (What do you do?).
  • Use Que directly before a noun to inquire about the type or specific instance of that noun. For example, Que tipo de música você gosta? (What type of music do you like?). Que cor você prefere? (What color do you prefer?).
Asking about Location (Onde / Aonde):
  • Use Onde for static locations, inquiring about where something is situated. It answers the question "at what place?" For instance, Onde está a chave? (Where is the key?). Onde você mora? (Where do you live?)
  • Use Aonde (or Onde with a verb of movement) for dynamic locations, inquiring about where something is going. It answers the question "to what place?" The a in aonde acts as a preposition indicating direction. For example, Aonde você vai? (Where are you going?)
  • In informal Brazilian Portuguese, Onde is very often used for both static and dynamic locations, making Aonde less common in everyday speech. However, in formal contexts and European Portuguese, the distinction is maintained.
Asking about Time (Quando):
  • Use Quando to ask about specific times, dates, or periods. It is straightforward and invariant.
  • Quando começa o filme? (When does the movie start?)
  • Quando você viaja? (When are you traveling?)
Asking about Manner/Quality (Como):
  • Use Como to inquire about how something is done, its state, or its quality.
  • Como se faz isso? (How is this done?)
  • Como está o tempo? (How is the weather?)
Asking about Reasons (Por que / Por quê):
  • Use Por que (two words) at the beginning or in the middle of a question. It means 'for what reason?'.
  • Por que você riu? (Why did you laugh?)
  • Use Por quê (two words, with accent) at the end of a question. This accent is mandatory due to the word ending a phrase and carrying primary stress.
  • Você não veio por quê? (You didn't come why? / Why didn't you come?)
Asking about Choice (Qual / Quais):
  • Use Qual (singular) or Quais (plural) when there's an implied or explicit selection from a group of options. It asks for 'which one' or 'which ones'.
  • Qual é o seu número de telefone? (Which is your phone number?)
  • Quais sapatos você prefere? (Which shoes do you prefer?)
Asking about Quantity (Quanto / Quanta / Quantos / Quantas):
  • This interrogative must agree in gender and number with the noun it refers to. It directly precedes the noun.
  • Quanto dinheiro você tem? (How much money do you have?) - dinheiro is masculine singular.
  • Quanta água você bebe? (How much water do you drink?) - água is feminine singular.
  • Quantos anos você tem? (How many years do you have? / How old are you?) - anos is masculine plural.
  • Quantas cadeiras precisamos? (How many chairs do we need?) - cadeiras is feminine plural.
Prepositions with Interrogatives:
  • A critical distinction from English is the placement of prepositions. In Portuguese, prepositions always precede the interrogative word they govern. This avoids ending sentences with prepositions, which is grammatically incorrect in Portuguese.
| English Example | Incorrect Portuguese | Correct Portuguese |
| :------------------------- | :------------------------- | :------------------------------ |
| Who are you talking to? | Quem você está falando com? | Com quem você está falando? |
| What are you looking for? | O que você está procurando por? | Pelo que você está procurando? (or O que você procura?) |
| Where are you from? | Onde você é de? | De onde você é? |
This pattern is consistent across all interrogatives and prepositions (e.g., para quem (for whom/to whom), em que (in what), de que (of what)).

Common Mistakes

Learners frequently encounter specific pitfalls when employing Portuguese interrogatives, often due to direct translation from their native language or misapplication of agreement rules. Addressing these common errors systematically can significantly improve accuracy and fluency.
  1. 1Ending Questions with Prepositions: This is a pervasive error for English speakers. Portuguese syntax dictates that prepositions must precede the interrogative word. Saying Quem você está com? is grammatically incorrect and jarring to native speakers. The correct form is Com quem você está? (With whom are you?). This rule is absolute and applies uniformly.
  1. 1Confusing Qual and Que:
  • Que primarily means 'what' or 'which' when followed directly by a noun, asking for a general type or specific instance within a category. Example: Que livro você quer? (What/Which book do you want?)
  • Qual (or Quais for plural) means 'which' or 'what' when there's an inherent selection from a set, even if unspecified. It often precedes a form of ser (to be) or stands alone. Example: Qual é a sua cor favorita? (What/Which is your favorite color?). Qual implies choosing one from many colors. A common mistake is asking Que é o seu nome? (What is your name?), which sounds like asking for the definition of a name. The correct usage is Qual é o seu nome? (Which is your name? - implying choice from all possible names).
  1. 1Forgetting Pluralization of Qual: When inquiring about multiple items or concepts where selection is involved, Qual must be pluralized to Quais. A common error is using Qual são seus filmes favoritos? instead of Quais são seus filmes favoritos? (Which are your favorite movies?).
  1. 1Misusing Por que vs. Porque vs. Por quê vs. Porquê: This is a frequent source of confusion, especially in written Portuguese.
  • Por que (separate, no accent): Used at the beginning or in the middle of an interrogative sentence. Example: Por que você não veio? (Why did you not come?)
  • Porque (together, no accent): Used for answers or explanations, meaning 'because'. Example: Não vim porque estava doente. (I didn't come because I was sick.)
  • Por quê (separate, with accent): Used when por que comes at the end of a question, immediately before punctuation, or when it is followed by a pause. Example: Você não falou por quê? (You didn't speak why?)
  • O porquê (together, with accent, preceded by article): Functions as a noun meaning 'the reason' or 'the motive'. Example: Eu quero saber o porquê. (I want to know the reason.)
  1. 1Incorrect Agreement with Quanto: Quanto (how much/many) must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies. Failure to do so is a clear grammatical error. For example, saying Quanto pessoas? is incorrect because pessoas (people) is feminine plural. The correct form is Quantas pessoas? (How many people?). This error highlights a lack of attention to nominal agreement, a fundamental aspect of Portuguese grammar.
  1. 1Confusing O que and Que (again): While related to point 2, this specific error pertains to their use with or without a following noun.
  • O que typically stands alone or precedes a verb when the 'what' is the subject or object of that verb. Example: O que aconteceu? (What happened?)
  • Que is generally a determiner, always preceding a noun. Example: Que dia é hoje? (What day is today?)

Contrast With Similar Patterns

Portuguese interrogatives can sometimes overlap in meaning or function, leading to confusion for learners. Distinguishing between these similar patterns is crucial for precise communication. The most common areas of contrast involve words indicating location and those seeking general versus specific information.
Onde vs. Aonde:
This distinction is geographical and contextual. Both translate to 'where,' but their usage depends on motion.
  • Onde: Indicates static location (where something is). It answers the question "in what place?". The implied verb is one of state or being, like estar (to be) or morar (to live).
  • Onde você está? (Where are you [located]?)
  • Onde fica a estação? (Where is the station [situated]?)
  • Aonde: Indicates destination or motion to a place (where something is going). It answers the question "to what place?". It is formed from the preposition a (to) and onde. The implied verb is one of movement, such as ir (to go) or viajar (to travel).
  • Aonde você vai? (Where are you going [to]?)
  • Aonde eles viajaram? (Where did they travel [to]?)
While this distinction is rigorously observed in formal European Portuguese, informal Brazilian Portuguese often uses Onde for both static and dynamic locations, potentially omitting Aonde entirely in casual speech. Learners aiming for broader comprehension and production should understand both uses, but be aware of regional tendencies.
Qual vs. O que (further clarification):
Though both can translate to 'what' in English, their underlying semantic functions differ significantly.
  • O que (or Que before a noun): Seeks a general definition, explanation, or unspecified information. It implies a broad inquiry. Use O que when the response could be almost anything, without a pre-defined set of options.
  • O que você faz no seu tempo livre? (What do you do in your free time?) - open-ended.
  • O que é gramática? (What is grammar?) - asking for a definition.
  • Qual (or Quais): Seeks a specific choice or selection from a group of known or implied options. It implies a narrower inquiry where the answer is one among several possibilities.
  • Qual é o seu livro favorito? (Which is your favorite book?) - implying a choice from all books you've read.
  • Qual destas camisas você prefere? (Which of these shirts do you prefer?) - explicit choice.
The key is whether you are asking for any information (O que) or which specific item (Qual). When asking for names, phone numbers, or addresses, Qual is almost always preferred because these are considered selections from a vast, yet finite, set of possibilities (Qual é o seu nome? - which specific name is yours?).

Real Conversations

Understanding how interrogatives function in theoretical grammar is foundational; observing their application in authentic dialogue solidifies comprehension. These examples demonstrate the natural, fluid use of question words in contemporary Portuguese conversations, reflecting both formal and informal registers.

S

Scenario 1

Casual Meeting (Brazilian Portuguese, informal)
J

João

Oi! Tudo bem? (Hi! All good?)
M

Maria

Tudo ótimo! E você, João? (All great! And you, João?)
J

João

Bem também. O que você vai fazer hoje à noite? (Good too. What are you going to do tonight?)
M

Maria

Ah, não sei ainda. Por que? (Oh, I don't know yet. Why?)
J

João

É que tem uma festa na casa do Pedro. Você quer ir? (It's just that there's a party at Pedro's house. Do you want to go?)
M

Maria

Legal! Onde é a casa dele? (Cool! Where is his house?)
J

João

É na rua Augusta, perto do parque. Com quem você quer ir? (It's on Augusta street, near the park. With whom do you want to go?)
M

Maria

Acho que vou com a Ana. Que horas começa a festa? (I think I'll go with Ana. What time does the party start?)
J

João

Às nove. Quantas pessoas você acha que vão? (At nine. How many people do you think are going?)
S

Scenario 2

Professional Inquiry (European Portuguese, slightly formal)
C

Cliente

Bom dia. Gostaria de falar com o gerente, por favor. (Good morning. I'd like to speak with the manager, please.)
R

Recepcionista

Bom dia. Qual é o seu nome? (Good morning. What is your name?)
C

Cliente

O meu nome é Sofia Costa. (My name is Sofia Costa.)
R

Recepcionista

E sobre o que é que gostaria de falar? (And about what would you like to speak?)
C

Cliente

É sobre uma encomenda que fiz na semana passada. (It's about an order I placed last week.)
R

Recepcionista

Qual é o número da encomenda, por favor? (What is the order number, please?)
C

Cliente

É o número 23456. (It's number 23456.)
R

Recepcionista

Quando é que fez a encomenda? (When did you place the order?)
C

Cliente

Foi na terça-feira passada. (It was last Tuesday.)
S

Scenario 3

Travel Plans (Mixed usage)
A

Amigo 1

Estou a planear uma viagem. Para onde achas que devo ir? (I'm planning a trip. Where do you think I should go?)
A

Amigo 2

Hum, para onde queres ir? Praia ou cidade? (Hmm, where do you want to go? Beach or city?)
A

Amigo 1

Acho que praia. Mas onde há praias bonitas e baratas? (I think beach. But where are there beautiful and cheap beaches?)
A

Amigo 2

No Nordeste do Brasil há muitas. Qual estado preferes? (In the Northeast of Brazil there are many. Which state do you prefer?)
A

Amigo 1

Não sei. Quanto custa uma passagem para lá? (I don't know. How much does a ticket there cost?)
A

Amigo 2

Depende da altura do ano. Por que não pesquisamos juntos? (It depends on the time of year. Why don't we search together?)

Quick FAQ

  • Do I always have to put the interrogative word at the beginning of the sentence?
Generally, yes. Placing the interrogative word first is the standard and clearest way to form a question in Portuguese. Deviations, such as placing it at the end, are reserved for conveying strong emotion like surprise or disbelief, and are not for general inquiry.
  • Is word order flexible in Portuguese questions?
Yes, to a degree. After the initial interrogative word, the order of subject and verb can often be interchanged without altering meaning, especially in informal speech. For example, Onde você trabalha? and Onde trabalha você? are both common, with the former often preferred in Brazil for its more casual tone.
  • What is the purpose of é que in questions?
The é que construction (Interrogative + é que + ...) is an idiomatic feature that emphasizes the interrogative word and often makes the question sound more natural and rhythmic to native speakers. It does not change the core meaning but softens the directness. It is more prevalent in European Portuguese but also commonly used in Brazil.
  • When should I use O que versus Que?
Use O que when 'what' is the subject or object of a verb and not directly followed by a noun, or when asking for a general definition or action. Use Que directly before a noun when asking about a specific type or instance of that noun (Que livro?, Que cor?).
  • What is the difference between Onde and Aonde?
Onde asks about a static location (where something is or is located). Aonde asks about a destination or movement to a place (where something is going). In informal Brazilian Portuguese, Onde often substitutes Aonde.
  • How does Quanto change?
Quanto must agree in gender and number with the noun it refers to. Thus, it can be quanto (masculine singular), quanta (feminine singular), quantos (masculine plural), or quantas (feminine plural). For example, Quantos livros? (How many books?) and Quantas horas? (How many hours?).
  • Can I end a sentence with a preposition in a question?
No. Unlike English, prepositions in Portuguese always precede the interrogative word they govern. For example, instead of "Who are you with?" it must be Com quem você está? (With whom are you?).
  • When do I use Por que versus Por quê?
Use Por que (two words, no accent) at the beginning or in the middle of a question. Use Por quê (two words, with circumflex accent) when the question word comes at the very end of a sentence or phrase, immediately before punctuation, or when followed by a pause. The accent indicates stress on the final syllable.

3. Basic Interrogative Structure

Interrogative Verb Subject Question Mark
Quem
é
você
?
O que
faz
ele
?
Onde
mora
a Maria
?

Common Contractions

Preposition Interrogative Result
De
onde
Donde
Para
onde
Para onde (no contraction)

Meanings

Interrogative words are used to request specific information about people, objects, or locations.

1

Identification

Asking for the identity of a person or object.

“Quem é ele?”

“O que é isso?”

2

Location

Asking for the physical position of a subject.

“Onde você está?”

“Onde fica o banheiro?”

Reference Table

Reference table for Asking Questions: Who, What, Where (Interrogatives)
Form Structure Example
Who
Quem + Verb
Quem é?
What
O que + Verb
O que é?
Where
Onde + Verb
Onde está?
From where
De onde + Verb
De onde vem?
To where
Para onde + Verb
Para onde vai?
Negative
Onde + não + Verb
Onde não mora?
Plural
Quem + são + Subject
Quem são eles?

Formality Spectrum

Formal
Onde o senhor se encontra?

Onde o senhor se encontra? (Asking location)

Neutral
Onde você está?

Onde você está? (Asking location)

Informal
Onde você tá?

Onde você tá? (Asking location)

Slang
Cadê você?

Cadê você? (Asking location)

Interrogative Map

Interrogatives

People

  • Quem Who

Things

  • O que What

Places

  • Onde Where
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Examples by Level

1

Quem é você?

Who are you?

2

O que é isto?

What is this?

3

Onde você mora?

Where do you live?

4

Quem fala?

Who is speaking?

1

Onde fica a estação?

Where is the station?

2

O que você faz no fim de semana?

What do you do on the weekend?

3

Quem é o seu professor?

Who is your teacher?

4

Onde estão as chaves?

Where are the keys?

1

De onde você vem?

Where do you come from?

2

O que você acha desta ideia?

What do you think of this idea?

3

Quem foi que disse isso?

Who was it that said that?

4

Para onde vamos viajar?

Where are we going to travel to?

1

Eu não sei o que fazer.

I don't know what to do.

2

Onde quer que você vá, eu vou.

Wherever you go, I go.

3

Quem quer que seja, não abra.

Whoever it is, don't open it.

4

O que quer que aconteça, estarei aqui.

Whatever happens, I will be here.

1

Quem me dera saber a resposta.

If only I knew the answer.

2

O que é que se há de fazer?

What can one do?

3

Onde a vida nos levará?

Where will life take us?

4

Quem haverá de negar a verdade?

Who will deny the truth?

1

Quem é quem nesta história?

Who is who in this story?

2

O que é o que é?

What is what?

3

Onde quer que se encontre, a paz é necessária.

Wherever one finds oneself, peace is necessary.

4

Quem sou eu para julgar?

Who am I to judge?

Easily Confused

Asking Questions: Who, What, Where (Interrogatives) vs O que vs. Qual

Both translate to 'what' in many contexts.

Asking Questions: Who, What, Where (Interrogatives) vs Onde vs. Aonde

Both relate to location.

Asking Questions: Who, What, Where (Interrogatives) vs Quem vs. Que

Both can mean 'who' or 'that'.

Common Mistakes

✗

Do você mora?

✓

Onde você mora?

Portuguese does not use 'do' as an auxiliary verb.
✗

Quem é isto?

✓

O que é isto?

Use 'O que' for objects, not 'Quem'.
✗

Onde você?

✓

Onde você está?

You must include the verb.
✗

O que é seu nome?

✓

Qual é o seu nome?

Use 'Qual' for selection/names.
✗

Onde você vai?

✓

Para onde você vai?

Use 'Para onde' for movement.
✗

Quem você gosta?

✓

De quem você gosta?

The verb 'gostar' requires the preposition 'de'.
✗

O que você mora?

✓

Onde você mora?

Use 'Onde' for location.
✗

Onde você é?

✓

De onde você é?

Use 'De onde' for origin.
✗

Quem você falou?

✓

Com quem você falou?

The verb 'falar' requires 'com'.
✗

O que você precisa?

✓

De que você precisa?

The verb 'precisar' requires 'de'.
✗

Onde que você vai?

✓

Para onde você vai?

Avoid redundant 'que' in formal writing.
✗

Quem ele é?

✓

Quem é ele?

Inversion is preferred in formal questions.
✗

O que você se refere?

✓

A que você se refere?

The verb 'referir-se' requires 'a'.

Sentence Patterns

___ é você?

___ você mora?

___ você faz?

___ você vai?

Real World Usage

Texting constant

Cadê você?

Travel very common

Onde fica o hotel?

Job Interview common

O que você pode oferecer?

Ordering Food common

O que tem no prato?

Social Media common

Quem vem comigo?

Classroom very common

Quem sabe a resposta?

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💡

Intonation is Key

Even if your grammar is perfect, your tone must rise at the end of the sentence to signal a question.
⚠️

Don't use 'Do'

Avoid translating English 'do' or 'does'. It doesn't exist in Portuguese.
🎯

Use 'Cadê' in Brazil

It makes you sound much more like a native speaker in casual settings.
💬

Formal vs Informal

In formal settings, use full sentences. In informal settings, you can drop the subject.

Smart Tips

Use 'Cadê' for a more natural, native-sounding question in Brazil.

Onde está o meu livro? → Cadê o meu livro?

Always use 'Qual' instead of 'O que'.

O que é o seu nome? → Qual é o seu nome?

Use 'Para onde' or 'Aonde' instead of just 'Onde'.

Onde você vai? → Para onde você vai?

Always use 'Quem' for people.

O que é ele? → Quem é ele?

Pronunciation

/kẽ/

Quem

The 'qu' is pronounced like 'k'.

/u 'ki/

O que

The 'e' at the end is often reduced to an 'i' sound in Brazil.

Rising

Onde você mora? ↑

Standard question intonation.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Q-O-O: Quem (People), O que (Things), Onde (Places).

Visual Association

Imagine a person (Quem) holding a box (O que) standing in a park (Onde).

Rhyme

Quem é o quê, onde está você?

Story

Maria asks 'Quem' is at the door. She sees a package and asks 'O que' it is. She wonders 'Onde' the delivery person went.

Word Web

QuemO queOndeQualQuantoComo

Challenge

Write 3 questions about your room right now using Quem, O que, and Onde.

Cultural Notes

The word 'Cadê' is a very common, informal way to ask 'Where is...'. It is a contraction of 'que é de'.

In Portugal, 'Onde' is used more strictly with verbs of location like 'estar' or 'ficar'.

Portuguese speakers often use 'O que é que' to add emphasis to a question.

These words derive from Latin interrogatives like 'quis' (who), 'quid' (what), and 'unde' (where).

Conversation Starters

“

Quem é o seu melhor amigo?

“

O que você gosta de comer?

“

Onde você quer viajar?

“

Quem você admira?

Journal Prompts

Describe your day using questions.
Write a dialogue between two travelers.
Interview a famous person.
Reflect on a life goal.

Common Mistakes

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

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Test Yourself

Fill in the blank with the correct interrogative.

___ é o seu nome?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Qual
Use 'Qual' for names.
Choose the correct question. Multiple Choice

Which is correct?

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

Find and fix the mistake:

Do você está?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Onde você está?
Remove 'do'.
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: Onde você mora?
Standard order.
Translate to Portuguese. Translation

Who is he?

Answer starts with: Que...

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Quem é ele?
Use 'Quem' for people.
Match the question to the answer. Match Pairs

Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Em Lisboa.
Location matches location.
Choose the correct interrogative. Multiple Choice

___ é esse objeto?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: O que
Use 'O que' for objects.
Fill in the blank.

___ fala?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Quem
Use 'Quem' for people.

Score: /8

Practice Exercises

8 exercises
Fill in the blank with the correct interrogative.

___ é o seu nome?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Qual
Use 'Qual' for names.
Choose the correct question. Multiple Choice

Which is correct?

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

Find and fix the mistake:

Do você está?

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

você / mora / onde / ?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Onde você mora?
Standard order.
Translate to Portuguese. Translation

Who is he?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Quem é ele?
Use 'Quem' for people.
Match the question to the answer. Match Pairs

Onde você mora?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Em Lisboa.
Location matches location.
Choose the correct interrogative. Multiple Choice

___ é esse objeto?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: O que
Use 'O que' for objects.
Fill in the blank.

___ fala?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Quem
Use 'Quem' for people.

Score: /8

Practice Bank

10 exercises
Select the correct word for 'How much' Fill in the Blank

___ custa este café?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Quanto
Ask 'When is the meeting?' using 'é que' Sentence Reorder

Arrange these words:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Quando é que é a reunião?
Translate 'Why are you happy?' Translation

Translate to Portuguese:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Por que você está feliz?
Choose the correct question word for 'Which' Multiple Choice

___ é a sua cor favorita?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Qual
Correct the mistake: 'How many people are coming?' Error Correction

Quanto pessoas vêm?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Quantas pessoas vêm?
Match the Portuguese question word to its English meaning Match Pairs

Match the pairs:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Onde - Where, Quem - Who, Como - How, Quando - When
What are you eating? Fill in the Blank

___ você está comendo?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: O que
Who are you with? Sentence Reorder

Arrange these words:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Com quem você está?
Where are you going? Multiple Choice

Select the best option:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Aonde você vai?
Translate 'How is your mother?' Translation

Translate to Portuguese:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Como está a sua mãe?

Score: /10

FAQ (8)

Not necessarily. In Portuguese, you can keep the subject-verb order.

Yes, it is written as two words.

Only if you treat them as people (like pets).

It is a very common, informal way to ask 'where is'.

Always use 'Qual'.

Yes, 'Aonde' implies movement.

Yes, but it is less common than using an interrogative.

Just add 'não' before the verb.

Scaffolded Practice

1

1

2

2

3

3

4

4

Mastery Progress

Needs Practice

Improving

Strong

Mastered

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In Other Languages

Spanish high

Quién, Qué, Dónde

Portuguese lacks the inverted question mark.

French moderate

Qui, Quoi, Où

French requires more complex structures for standard questions.

German low

Wer, Was, Wo

German verb placement is strictly regulated.

Japanese none

Dare, Nani, Doko

Japanese marks questions at the end, not the beginning.

Arabic low

Man, Ma, Ayna

Arabic has a different script and grammatical logic.

Chinese none

Shéi, Shénme, Nǎlǐ

Chinese does not require word order changes for questions.

Learning Path

Prerequisites

Previous
Yes/No Questions: The Intonation Rule
Next
Where to Put Adjectives: Noun First! (`carro azul`)

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