§ What does it mean and when do people use it?
"O que significa?" is a very common and useful phrase in Portuguese. It directly translates to "What does it mean?" and you'll find yourself using it often when learning the language. Think of it as your go-to phrase when you encounter a new word, an unfamiliar expression, or simply don't understand something someone has said.
- Meaning
- What does it mean? / What does this mean?
This phrase is essential for clarifying vocabulary and understanding context. It's polite and shows your interlocutor that you are engaged in the conversation and eager to learn. You can use it in almost any situation, whether you're talking to a native speaker, reading a book, or watching a movie.
Essa palavra, o que significa? (This word, what does it mean?)
Não entendi. O que significa essa expressão? (I didn't understand. What does this expression mean?)
It's also common to hear native speakers shorten this phrase in very informal settings, but for learners, sticking to the full "O que significa?" is always a safe and clear choice. When you're speaking, make sure to use a questioning tone. The intonation is crucial for conveying that you are asking a question.
Here are some common scenarios where you'd use "o que significa?":
- When someone uses a word you don't know:
"Ele disse 'bacana'. O que significa 'bacana'?" (He said 'bacana'. What does 'bacana' mean?)
- When you encounter an unfamiliar idiom or slang:
"'Pão-duro', o que significa?" ('Pão-duro', what does it mean?)
- When you don't grasp the meaning of a whole sentence or concept:
"Eu não entendi a frase. O que significa tudo isso?" (I didn't understand the sentence. What does all of this mean?)
This phrase is incredibly versatile and will serve you well as you navigate the Portuguese language. Don't be afraid to use it often; it's a sign that you're actively learning and engaging with the language.
§ Understanding "o que significa?"
The Portuguese phrase o que significa? literally translates to "what does it mean?" It's a fundamental question for any language learner, and you'll find yourself using it often. It's concise, direct, and universally understood in Portuguese-speaking contexts. This phrase is vital for clarifying vocabulary, understanding instructions, or simply engaging in a deeper conversation when you encounter something unfamiliar.
Desculpa, o que significa? (Sorry, what does it mean?)
Eu não entendi essa palavra. O que significa? (I didn't understand that word. What does it mean?)
§ Common uses and variations
You'll typically use o que significa? when you are actively trying to decipher something. It's a direct request for a definition or an explanation. While it's polite enough for most situations, you can add a 'desculpa' (sorry/excuse me) at the beginning for extra politeness, especially with strangers or in formal settings.
- Polite usage
- Add 'desculpa' or 'com licença' for more politeness, e.g., 'Desculpa, o que significa isso?' (Sorry, what does that mean?).
Com licença, o que significa essa expressão? (Excuse me, what does that expression mean?)
You can also specify what you're asking about by adding a noun or pronoun after "significa".
- O que significa essa palavra? (What does this word mean?)
- O que significa isso? (What does this mean?)
- O que significa aquilo? (What does that mean?)
§ When to use "o que significa?" vs. alternatives
While o que significa? is your go-to phrase for definitions, there are other ways to ask for clarification, depending on the context. The key is to choose the phrase that best fits what you're trying to achieve.
- "Como se diz...?" (How do you say...?)
- Use this when you know what you want to say in English, but don't know the Portuguese equivalent. It's about finding the right translation, not understanding a Portuguese word.
Como se diz 'hello' em português? (How do you say 'hello' in Portuguese?)
- "Pode repetir?" (Can you repeat?)
- This is for when you didn't hear something clearly, or if someone spoke too fast. You're not asking for a definition, but for the information to be restated.
Desculpa, pode repetir? (Sorry, can you repeat?)
- "Não entendi." (I didn't understand.)
- This is a general statement that you haven't grasped something. It's often followed by a more specific question, like o que significa?, or an invitation for the other person to rephrase.
Não entendi a piada. (I didn't understand the joke.)
The main difference is intent: you use o que significa? specifically when you need to know the meaning of a word, phrase, or concept. The other phrases are for general clarification, repetition, or translation requests. Mastering o que significa? will significantly boost your ability to learn and interact in Portuguese.
Examples by Level
O que significa 'saudade'?
What does 'saudade' mean?
A common question to ask for the meaning of a single word.
Você pode me dizer o que significa esta palavra?
Can you tell me what this word means?
A polite way to ask someone to explain a word.
Eu não entendi. O que significa isso?
I didn't understand. What does that mean?
Useful when you need clarification on something said.
O que significa 'obrigado' em inglês?
What does 'obrigado' mean in English?
Asking for a translation of a Portuguese word into English.
Não sei o que significa esta frase.
I don't know what this phrase means.
A simple statement indicating a lack of understanding.
Poderia explicar o que significa essa expressão?
Could you explain what that expression means?
A more formal way to ask for an explanation of a phrase.
O que significa 'bom dia'?
What does 'bom dia' mean?
Asking for the meaning of a common greeting.
Qual é o significado? O que significa?
What is the meaning? What does it mean?
Combining two ways to ask for meaning, showing versatility.
Eu ouvi essa palavra nova na música. O que significa?
I heard this new word in the music. What does it mean?
Using 'ouvi' (past tense of hear) and 'essa palavra nova' (this new word).
Ele disse algo em português. O que significa?
He said something in Portuguese. What does it mean?
'Disse' is the past tense of 'dizer' (to say).
Minha amiga usou uma expressão diferente. O que significa 'estar com a pulga atrás da orelha'?
My friend used a different expression. What does 'to have a flea behind the ear' mean?
Introduces an idiom and asks for its meaning.
Vi uma placa com uma frase estranha. O que significa?
I saw a sign with a strange phrase. What does it mean?
'Vi' is the past tense of 'ver' (to see).
No livro, há uma palavra que não conheço. O que significa?
In the book, there's a word I don't know. What does it mean?
'Conheço' is the first-person singular of 'conhecer' (to know).
Meu professor explicou, mas ainda não entendi. O que significa?
My teacher explained, but I still didn't understand. What does it mean?
'Explicou' (explained) and 'entendi' (understood) are both in the past tense.
Estou lendo um artigo e tem uma abreviação aqui. O que significa 'etc.'?
I'm reading an article and there's an abbreviation here. What does 'etc.' mean?
Asking the meaning of a specific abbreviation.
Alguém me mandou uma mensagem com gíria. O que significa 'legal' neste contexto?
Someone sent me a message with slang. What does 'legal' mean in this context?
'Mandou' (sent) is past tense. Asking for contextual meaning of a word.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Imagine asking 'Oh, key! See, Gne! Fika?' You're looking at a mysterious key and asking 'What does it mean?'
Visual Association
Picture a big question mark made out of a key, and next to it, someone shrugging and saying 'What does it mean?'
Word Web
Challenge
Next time you encounter a new Portuguese word or phrase, try saying 'O que significa [new word/phrase]?' out loud. Even better, ask a Portuguese speaker this question if you have the opportunity!
Test Yourself 30 questions
This is the standard word order for asking 'What does it mean?' in Portuguese.
To ask what a specific word means, you add 'essa palavra' (this word) after 'O que significa?'.
While similar in structure, this is how you'd ask 'What is your name?' – showing the versatility of 'O que'.
Eu não entendi a palavra nova. Você pode me dizer ___?
The speaker doesn't understand a new word and is asking for its meaning. 'O que significa' directly translates to 'what does it mean'.
A professora explicou a frase, mas ainda não sei ___.
Despite the teacher's explanation, the student still doesn't know the meaning of the phrase. 'O que significa' is the correct expression for 'what it means'.
Ele usou uma expressão regional e eu tive que perguntar ___.
When encountering an unfamiliar regional expression, one would naturally ask for its meaning. 'O que significa' fits this context perfectly.
No documento, havia um termo técnico. Pedi ao meu colega para me explicar ___.
For a technical term in a document, understanding its meaning is crucial. 'O que significa' correctly asks for this information.
Li uma notícia em português e algumas palavras eram novas. Eu me perguntava ___.
Since the question refers to 'algumas palavras' (some words), the plural form 'o que significam' is necessary, meaning 'what do they mean'.
Ela disse algo em gíria e eu não captei. Então, perguntei a ela ___.
If someone didn't understand slang, they would ask what it meant. The past tense 'o que significava' (what it meant) is appropriate as the action of saying has already occurred.
The speaker is asking for the meaning of a Portuguese word.
The speaker wants to know the English equivalent of a Portuguese word.
The speaker is asking for the implication or meaning of a statement within a specific context.
Read this aloud:
O que significa essa expressão idiomática?
Focus: significa
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
Você pode me explicar o que significa 'aproveitar'?
Focus: aproveitar
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
Se eu disser 'estou com fome', o que significa isso na cultura portuguesa?
Focus: fome
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Depois de ouvir a nova gíria, ele perguntou: "___?"
A frase 'O que significa?' é a pergunta apropriada para entender o significado de algo desconhecido.
A professora explicou o conceito, mas um aluno ainda confuso questionou: "Desculpe, professora, mas ___?"
Neste contexto, o aluno está pedindo um esclarecimento sobre o significado de algo que não entendeu.
Ao ler a palavra incomum no texto antigo, a pesquisadora murmurou para si mesma: "Eu preciso descobrir ___."
A pesquisadora precisa entender o sentido da palavra, portanto 'o que significa' é a expressão correta.
Durante a reunião, um termo técnico foi usado e um dos participantes, sem entender, perguntou educadamente: "Com licença, mas ___ para o nosso projeto?"
O participante está buscando a definição do termo técnico em relação ao projeto.
Ele viu uma expressão facial estranha e, querendo saber a emoção por trás dela, perguntou: "Essa sua cara, ___?"
A pergunta 'o que significa' é usada para entender o sentido ou a intenção por trás de uma ação ou expressão.
Recebendo um e-mail com muitas abreviações desconhecidas, ela pensou: "Vou ter que procurar ___ de cada uma delas."
Para entender as abreviações, ela precisa saber o seu significado.
The team is discussing the meaning of the president's communication.
The director is questioning the sudden growth without a clear implementation plan.
An engineer is skeptical about the radical design approach.
Read this aloud:
Um colega de trabalho acabou de usar uma expressão idiomática que você não conhece. Pergunte a ele: 'Desculpe, o que significa essa expressão?'
Focus: o que significa essa expressão
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
Você está lendo um artigo complexo e encontra uma frase que não faz sentido no contexto. Pergunte a um amigo: 'Neste parágrafo, o que significa essa frase em particular?'
Focus: o que significa essa frase em particular
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
Durante uma aula de história, o professor mencionou um conceito que você nunca ouviu. Peça um esclarecimento: 'Professor, o que significa esse conceito no contexto histórico que estamos a estudar?'
Focus: o que significa esse conceito no contexto histórico
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
/ 30 correct
Perfect score!
Related Content
Related Phrases
More travel words
a aterragem
A2The act of an aircraft descending to the ground; landing.
a conta, por favor
A2The bill, please.
a pé
A2on foot, walking
abarrotado
A2Filled to capacity; crowded or packed.
abastecer
A2To supply with something necessary, such as fuel.
abertura
A2Opening; the action of beginning or opening something.
acertado
A2Correct or accurate; well-chosen.
acessórios
A2Additional items, typically small, that complement something else.
acidente
A2An unfortunate incident that happens unexpectedly and unintentionally, typically resulting in damage or injury.
acolá
A2In, at, or to that place; over there.
