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Vocabulary
quer... quer...

B2 noun 9 min read

quer... quer...

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips quer... quer... in 30 Seconds

Explanation quer... quer... in your Level:

At the A1 level, you are just starting to learn how to connect ideas. 'Quer... quer...' might look a bit scary because it's a double word, but you can think of it as a fancy way to say 'this or that'. Even though it is a B2 level word, you might see it in simple stories. Just remember: 'Quer [Option A], quer [Option B]' means 'It doesn't matter if it's A or B, the result is the same'. For example, 'Quer café, quer chá, eu gosto de tudo' (Whether it's coffee or tea, I like everything). At this stage, focus on recognizing the pattern of two 'quer' words in a sentence and knowing they mean 'whether... or...'. You don't need to use it yourself yet, but knowing it will help you understand more advanced speakers and texts. It's like a pair of shoes; you always need both for them to work correctly!

As an A2 learner, you are building your vocabulary to describe routines and preferences. You already know 'ou' (or), but 'quer... quer...' is different because it shows that two options are equal. Think of it as 'It doesn't matter'. For example, 'Quer no sábado, quer no domingo, eu vou à praia' (Whether on Saturday or Sunday, I'm going to the beach). The main thing to learn now is the structure: Quer + Word 1, quer + Word 2. Notice the comma! It helps separate the two options. You might also start to notice that the words after 'quer' can be verbs. Don't worry too much about the complex grammar rules yet; just try to use it with simple nouns like 'quer frio, quer calor' (whether cold or hot) to sound more natural and vary your speech.

At the B1 level, you are becoming more independent and can handle more complex sentence structures. You should start using 'quer... quer...' to express indifference or to show that a situation is universal. This is a great alternative to the simpler 'ou... ou...'. A key point for B1 learners is understanding that 'quer... quer...' is often used in formal writing or more serious conversations. You should also pay attention to the verbs used with this expression. Often, they will be in the subjunctive mood because you are talking about possibilities. For example: 'Quer ele venha, quer não venha, nós vamos começar' (Whether he comes or doesn't come, we will start). Start practicing this by replacing 'seja... seja...' in your writing to see how it changes the tone of your text. It makes your Portuguese sound more 'polished' and academic.

At the B2 level, you are expected to use 'quer... quer...' correctly and naturally. This is the level where this word truly belongs. You should understand the nuance that differentiates it from 'ou... ou...' (exclusive choice) and 'ora... ora...' (alternating actions). As a B2 student, you must master the punctuation (the comma before the second 'quer') and the consistent use of the subjunctive mood for hypothetical alternatives. You should be able to use it to structure arguments in essays or formal presentations. For instance, 'Quer analisemos o aspecto econômico, quer o social, a conclusão é a mesma.' This level of linguistic control shows that you can handle the logical flow of complex ideas. You should also be aware that 'quer' in this context is invariable; it never becomes 'querem' or 'quis', as it has become a fixed grammatical particle in this specific correlative structure.

For C1 learners, 'quer... quer...' is a tool for stylistic variation and rhetorical impact. You should be able to use it effortlessly in high-level academic, professional, and literary contexts. At this stage, you should explore using more than two alternatives ('quer A, quer B, quer C...') to create a cumulative effect. You should also be sensitive to the rhythmic properties of the expression, using it to balance long, complex sentences. A C1 speaker uses 'quer... quer...' to dismiss irrelevant variables in an argument, focusing the listener's attention on the primary point. You should also be able to distinguish between the subtle stylistic differences of 'quer... quer...', 'seja... seja...', and 'conquanto...'. Your use of the subjunctive should be flawless, and you should be able to identify and correct misuse of this structure in the writing of others.

At the C2 level, you have a near-native command of 'quer... quer...'. You use it not just for its logical function, but for its aesthetic value in prose. You understand its historical roots in the verb 'querer' and how that history informs its current usage as a marker of 'indifferent desire' or 'universal truth'. You can use it in the most formal legal or philosophical texts where precision is paramount. You are also aware of regional variations and how this expression might be favored in certain dialects of Portuguese over others. At this level, you can play with the structure, perhaps using it in a more archaic or literary way to evoke a specific tone. Your mastery is such that you can use 'quer... quer...' to create complex, multi-layered sentences that remain perfectly clear and elegantly balanced, reflecting the highest level of Portuguese proficiency.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

quer... quer... in 30 Seconds

Used to present two equal alternatives.
Means 'whether... or...' in English.
Requires a comma before the second 'quer'.
Common in formal and literary Portuguese.

The Portuguese expression quer... quer... is a sophisticated correlative conjunction used to present two or more alternatives that are equally relevant or lead to the same conclusion. In English, it is most frequently translated as 'whether... or...'. While it may appear simple at first glance, its usage is a hallmark of upper-intermediate (B2) and advanced Portuguese, adding a layer of formal elegance and logical precision to both speech and writing. Unlike the simple 'ou' (or), which often implies a choice where only one option can be true, quer... quer... suggests that regardless of which option is chosen or occurs, the subsequent statement remains valid.

Grammatical Category: Conjunção Coordenativa Alternativa (Correlative Alternative Conjunction).
Register: Standard to Formal. It is common in literature, academic writing, legal documents, and formal speeches, but it is also used in daily conversation by educated speakers to emphasize indifference to alternatives.

The word quer itself is derived from the verb querer (to want). Historically, the phrase literally meant 'wants [this], wants [that]', implying that the subject's desire or the state of being doesn't change the outcome. In modern usage, it has lost its direct connection to the verb's conjugation for 'wanting' and functions purely as a logical marker. It is essential to note that quer... quer... requires both parts to be present; you cannot use a single 'quer' to mean 'whether' in this specific correlative sense.

A decisão será mantida, quer você concorde, quer não.

This expression is particularly useful when you want to show that two conditions are inclusive rather than exclusive. For instance, if you say 'Quer chova, quer faça sol', you are saying that the event will happen in both conditions. It differs from 'Ou chove, ou faz sol' (Either it rains, or it is sunny), which focuses on the weather itself rather than the consequence of the weather. In professional settings, using quer... quer... demonstrates a high level of linguistic competence and allows for more nuanced argumentation.

Furthermore, quer... quer... can be expanded to include more than two alternatives, though this is less common. You might see 'quer A, quer B, quer C...'. This flexibility makes it a powerful tool for listing various conditions that all lead to a single result. It is often interchangeable with 'seja... seja...', which is perhaps slightly more common in modern spoken Portuguese, but quer... quer... remains a staple of high-quality prose and articulate speech.

Using quer... quer... effectively requires understanding its placement within a sentence. Usually, the structure follows a pattern where the two alternatives are placed immediately after each 'quer'. These alternatives can be nouns, adjectives, or entire clauses. When used with verbs, the verbs are typically in the present subjunctive or the present indicative, depending on the certainty of the action, though the subjunctive is very common to express hypothetical or indifferent conditions.

Structure with Nouns: Quer [Noun A], quer [Noun B], [Result]. Example: Quer adultos, quer crianças, todos devem pagar entrada.
Structure with Verbs: Quer [Verb A], quer [Verb B], [Result]. Example: Quer estudemos, quer trabalhemos, precisamos de foco.

O projeto avançará, quer o orçamento seja aprovado hoje, quer amanhã.

One of the most important aspects of using this expression is the punctuation. As mentioned, a comma is nearly always used before the second 'quer' to help the reader distinguish between the two parts of the comparison. This creates a rhythmic balance in the sentence. For example, in 'Quer por mar, quer por terra, a viagem é longa', the comma provides a necessary pause that emphasizes the equivalence of the two modes of transport.

Quer na saúde, quer na doença, eles permaneceram unidos.

In more complex sentences, quer... quer... can introduce subordinate clauses. In these cases, it is vital to ensure that the verbs in both clauses are in the same mood and tense to maintain parallelism. For example: 'Quer ele venha à festa, quer ele fique em casa, eu vou me divertir.' Here, both 'venha' and 'fique' are in the present subjunctive, which is the standard choice for expressing these types of alternatives in Portuguese.

You will encounter quer... quer... in a variety of contexts, primarily those that require a certain level of precision or formality. In the news, journalists often use it to summarize the broad impact of a policy or event. For example, a reporter might say, 'A nova lei afetará todos os cidadãos, quer morem na capital, quer morem no interior.' This usage ensures that the audience understands the universal application of the law.

O impacto ambiental será sentido por todos, quer vivam no litoral, quer no sertão.

In Portuguese literature, from the classics like Machado de Assis to contemporary authors, quer... quer... is a common stylistic device used to create rhythm and balance in prose. It allows writers to explore dualities and contradictions without choosing one over the other. In academic settings, it is indispensable for defining scopes of research: 'Este estudo analisa o comportamento social, quer em ambientes digitais, quer em interações presenciais.'

News & Media: Used to indicate that a situation applies to different groups or scenarios equally.
Legal & Formal: Common in contracts to define conditions that trigger a clause regardless of specific outcomes.

During formal debates or political speeches, quer... quer... is used to build consensus or to highlight inescapable truths. An orator might say, 'Quer sejamos de direita, quer sejamos de esquerda, todos queremos o progresso do país.' This rhetorical strategy helps in bridging gaps by focusing on shared outcomes despite different starting points. Even in business meetings, it is used to present strategy options: 'Devemos investir em marketing, quer através de redes sociais, quer através de mídia tradicional.'

One of the most frequent mistakes learners make is forgetting the second 'quer'. Because English often uses 'whether' at the beginning of a clause and 'or' later, students tend to translate this literally as 'quer... ou...'. While 'quer... ou...' is occasionally heard in very informal speech, it is considered grammatically incorrect in standard Portuguese. The correlative structure must be symmetrical: if you start with 'quer', you must follow with 'quer'.

Incorrect: Quer você goste ou não, vamos viajar.
Correct: Quer você goste, quer não, vamos viajar.

Another common error involves verb agreement and mood. Many learners struggle with whether to use the indicative or the subjunctive mood after 'quer'. While the indicative is used for facts, the subjunctive is far more frequent because 'quer... quer...' often introduces hypothetical or indifferent conditions. Forgetting to use the subjunctive can make the sentence sound clunky or non-native. For example, 'Quer ele venha' (subjunctive) sounds much more natural than 'Quer ele vem' (indicative) in most contexts involving 'whether'.

Mistake: Mixing Conjunctions: Do not mix 'quer' with 'seja' or 'ou'. Keep the pair consistent: 'quer... quer...', 'seja... seja...', or 'ou... ou...'.
Mistake: Punctuation: Failing to use a comma before the second 'quer' can lead to run-on sentences that are hard to parse.

Finally, learners sometimes confuse 'quer... quer...' with 'ora... ora...'. While both involve repetition, 'ora... ora...' implies alternation in time (now this, now that), whereas 'quer... quer...' implies a logical indifference to the alternatives (whether this or that). Using 'ora... ora...' when you mean 'whether... or...' will change the meaning of your sentence significantly. For instance, 'Ora chove, ora faz sol' means it is currently raining and then later it is sunny, alternating. 'Quer chova, quer faça sol' means the outcome is the same regardless of which weather condition occurs.

Portuguese offers several ways to express alternatives, and choosing the right one depends on the nuance you wish to convey. The most direct alternative to quer... quer... is seja... seja.... These are often interchangeable, though 'seja... seja...' is derived from the verb 'ser' (to be) and is perhaps slightly more common in modern, everyday speech. Both function as correlative conjunctions that indicate indifference to the options presented.

quer... quer...: More formal/literary. Emphasizes the equal relevance of alternatives. 'Quer por bem, quer por mal, ele virá.'
seja... seja...: Very common, slightly less formal. 'Seja hoje, seja amanhã, precisamos conversar.'
ou... ou...: Exclusive alternative. Usually implies only one can be true. 'Ou você estuda, ou você trabalha.'

Comparação:
1. Quer chova, quer faça sol (Whether it rains or shines - the result is the same).
2. Ora chove, ora faz sol (Now it rains, now it's sunny - alternating events).

Another alternative is já... já..., which is more poetic and less common in daily life. It functions similarly to 'ora... ora...', indicating a rapid change between states. For more formal writing, you might also see seja... ou..., though as noted before, keeping the pair identical ('seja... seja...') is preferred for grammatical purity. In English, we sometimes use 'either... or...', but in Portuguese, 'quer... quer...' is strictly for the 'whether... or...' nuance where the choice doesn't change the main clause's truth.

In summary, while 'ou' is the basic building block for choices, quer... quer... is the surgical tool used when you want to dismiss the importance of the choice itself. Mastering these distinctions allows you to move beyond basic communication and start expressing complex logical relationships in Portuguese with the same finesse as a native speaker.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The use of 'quer... quer...' as a conjunction is an example of 'grammaticalization', where a verb form loses its lexical meaning (to want) and becomes a functional grammar piece.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /kɛɾ... kɛɾ.../

US /kɛr... kɛr.../

The stress is on the single vowel 'e' in each 'quer'.

Rhymes With

mulher colher sequer qualquer estiver puder vier fizer

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'quer' like 'queer' in English.
Not repeating the word (using 'quer... ou').
Pronouncing the final 'r' too strongly like an English 'r'.
Confusing 'quer' with 'quem' (who).
Nasalizing the 'e' unnecessarily.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Easy to recognize once the pattern is known.

Writing 7/5

Requires remembering to repeat the word and use the subjunctive.

Speaking 6/5

Requires practice to use naturally instead of 'ou'.

Listening 4/5

Can be missed if the speaker talks fast.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

ou querer seja mas se

Learn Next

conquanto embora posto que todavia contanto que

Advanced

ora... ora... já... já... quer... quer também... não obstante

Grammar to Know

Uso do Subjuntivo em Alternativas

Quer ele *venha*, quer não.

Paralelismo Sintático

Quer *por* mar, quer *por* terra (repeat the preposition).

Pontuação de Conjunções Correlativas

Quer A, quer B.

Invariabilidade de 'Quer' como Conjunção

Quer eles *queiram* (verb), quer não.

Conjunções Alternativas

Diferença entre 'ou... ou' e 'quer... quer'.

Examples by Level

Quer café, quer chá, eu bebo.

Whether coffee or tea, I drink (it).

Simple nouns used after 'quer'.

Quer hoje, quer amanhã, está bem.

Whether today or tomorrow, it's fine.

Time adverbs used as alternatives.

Quer o pai, quer a mãe, eles ajudam.

Whether the father or the mother, they help.

Subjects as alternatives.

Quer azul, quer verde, eu gosto.

Whether blue or green, I like (it).

Adjectives as alternatives.

Quer aqui, quer ali, é perto.

Whether here or there, it is near.

Place adverbs.

Quer pão, quer bolo, eu como.

Whether bread or cake, I eat (it).

Food items as alternatives.

Quer frio, quer calor, eu saio.

Whether cold or hot, I go out.

Weather conditions.

Quer um, quer outro, eu aceito.

Whether one or the other, I accept.

Pronouns as alternatives.

Quer no Verão, quer no Inverno, ela viaja.

Whether in Summer or in Winter, she travels.

Prepositional phrases with seasons.

Quer estude, quer trabalhe, ele é focado.

Whether he studies or works, he is focused.

Present subjunctive verbs.

Quer de carro, quer de ônibus, eu chego lá.

Whether by car or by bus, I'll get there.

Means of transport.

Quer seja rico, quer seja pobre, a vida é curta.

Whether one is rich or poor, life is short.

Using 'seja' as the verb after 'quer'.

Quer em casa, quer no restaurante, vamos comer bem.

Whether at home or at the restaurant, we will eat well.

Location phrases.

Quer sozinho, quer com amigos, ele se diverte.

Whether alone or with friends, he has fun.

Adjectives describing social states.

Quer por telefone, quer por e-mail, avise-me.

Whether by phone or by email, let me know.

Communication methods.

Quer ganhe, quer perca, o importante é participar.

Whether you win or lose, the important thing is to participate.

Subjunctive verbs for uncertain outcomes.

Quer você queira, quer não, a regra é clara.

Whether you want to or not, the rule is clear.

Common idiomatic use with 'querer'.

Quer o tempo melhore, quer continue assim, o evento ocorrerá.

Whether the weather improves or stays like this, the event will happen.

Subjunctive clauses.

Quer por motivos pessoais, quer profissionais, ele mudou-se.

Whether for personal or professional reasons, he moved.

Adjectives modifying 'motivos'.

Quer no setor público, quer no privado, a ética é essencial.

Whether in the public or private sector, ethics is essential.

Parallel prepositional phrases.

Quer compremos agora, quer esperemos, o preço será alto.

Whether we buy now or wait, the price will be high.

First person plural subjunctive.

Quer se trate de um erro, quer de uma escolha, as consequências virão.

Whether it's a mistake or a choice, the consequences will come.

Formal 'tratar-se de' construction.

Quer a tecnologia avance, quer pare, o ser humano não muda.

Whether technology advances or stops, the human being doesn't change.

Contrasting verbal actions.

Quer durma pouco, quer durma muito, ele acorda cansado.

Whether he sleeps little or much, he wakes up tired.

Quantifiers 'pouco' and 'muito'.

Quer analisemos o passado, quer projetemos o futuro, a mudança é constante.

Whether we analyze the past or project the future, change is constant.

High-level academic verbs in the subjunctive.

Quer sob o ponto de vista jurídico, quer ético, a ação foi correta.

Whether from a legal or ethical point of view, the action was correct.

Complex prepositional phrases.

Quer se considere a estética, quer a funcionalidade, o design é perfeito.

Whether one considers aesthetics or functionality, the design is perfect.

Passive 'se' with subjunctive.

Quer pela via diplomática, quer pela força, o conflito deve acabar.

Whether via diplomacy or force, the conflict must end.

Abstract nouns with 'pela'.

Quer o autor tenha tido a intenção, quer não, a obra fala por si.

Whether the author intended it or not, the work speaks for itself.

Compound subjunctive 'tenha tido'.

Quer em termos de custo, quer de benefício, a proposta é vantajosa.

Whether in terms of cost or benefit, the proposal is advantageous.

Business terminology.

Quer o mercado suba, quer desça, nossa estratégia é sólida.

Whether the market goes up or down, our strategy is solid.

Financial context.

Quer pela educação, quer pelo exemplo, devemos guiar os jovens.

Whether through education or example, we must guide the youth.

Social responsibility context.

Quer a ciência comprove a teoria, quer a refute, o debate continuará vívido.

Whether science proves the theory or refutes it, the debate will remain vivid.

Formal verbs 'comprovar' and 'refutar'.

Quer se trate de uma idiossincrasia, quer de um traço cultural, deve ser respeitado.

Whether it is an idiosyncrasy or a cultural trait, it must be respected.

Advanced vocabulary (idiossincrasia).

Quer a hermenêutica seja textual, quer contextual, a interpretação varia.

Whether the hermeneutics is textual or contextual, the interpretation varies.

Academic/Philosophical register.

Quer os incentivos fiscais sejam mantidos, quer revogados, a empresa investirá.

Whether tax incentives are maintained or revoked, the company will invest.

Passive voice in subjunctive clauses.

Quer a subjetividade do artista aflore, quer a técnica predomine, a arte acontece.

Whether the artist's subjectivity emerges or technique predominates, art happens.

Abstract subjects and sophisticated verbs.

Quer a conjuntura econômica seja favorável, quer adversa, a resiliência é a chave.

Whether the economic situation is favorable or adverse, resilience is the key.

Formal term 'conjuntura'.

Quer o silêncio seja uma escolha, quer uma imposição, ele comunica algo.

Whether silence is a choice or an imposition, it communicates something.

Philosophical nuance.

Quer a narrativa se fragmente, quer se mantenha linear, o leitor será desafiado.

Whether the narrative fragments or remains linear, the reader will be challenged.

Literary analysis context.

Quer a ontologia do ser se revele na ação, quer na quietude, a essência permanece inaferível.

Whether the ontology of being reveals itself in action or in stillness, the essence remains ungraspable.

Highly abstract philosophical vocabulary.

Quer a soberania nacional seja mitigada por tratados, quer reafirmada pelo isolamento, o mundo mudou.

Whether national sovereignty is mitigated by treaties or reaffirmed by isolation, the world has changed.

Geopolitical formal register.

Quer o léxico se expanda por neologismos, quer se contraia pelo arcaísmo, a língua é viva.

Whether the lexicon expands through neologisms or contracts through archaisms, the language is alive.

Linguistic terminology.

Quer a práxis política se distancie da teoria, quer nela se fundamente, o escrutínio é necessário.

Whether political praxis distances itself from theory or is grounded in it, scrutiny is necessary.

Sophisticated 'práxis' and 'escrutínio'.

Quer a efervescência social resulte em revolução, quer em apatia, as estruturas tremem.

Whether social effervescence results in revolution or apathy, the structures tremble.

Sociological high-level register.

Quer a teleologia da história seja o progresso, quer o eterno retorno, a humanidade persiste.

Whether the teleology of history is progress or the eternal return, humanity persists.

Philosophical 'teleologia'.

Quer a alteridade seja acolhida com empatia, quer com estranhamento, ela define o 'eu'.

Whether alterity is welcomed with empathy or estrangement, it defines the 'self'.

Psychological/Philosophical 'alteridade'.

Quer o vácuo de poder seja preenchido por tecnocratas, quer por demagogos, a democracia sofre.

Whether the power vacuum is filled by technocrats or demagogues, democracy suffers.

Political science terminology.

Common Collocations

quer queira, quer não

quer por bem, quer por mal

quer hoje, quer amanhã

quer no mar, quer na terra

quer um, quer outro

quer rico, quer pobre

quer na alegria, quer na tristeza

quer sim, quer não

quer agora, quer depois

quer aqui, quer em qualquer lugar

Common Phrases

Quer queira, quer não.

— Whether you like it or not; it is inevitable.

Quer queira, quer não, o tempo passa.

Quer por bem, quer por mal.

— By hook or by crook; one way or another.

Você vai comer os vegetais, quer por bem, quer por mal.

Quer chova, quer faça sol.

— No matter the weather; rain or shine.

O jogo acontecerá, quer chova, quer faça sol.

Quer um, quer outro.

— Either one; it doesn't matter which.

Pode levar qualquer livro, quer um, quer outro.

Quer sim, quer não.

— Regardless of the answer being yes or no.

Quer sim, quer não, eu vou tentar.

Quer hoje, quer amanhã.

— Whether today or tomorrow; soon.

A encomenda chegará, quer hoje, quer amanhã.

Quer na saúde, quer na doença.

— In good times and bad (often used in vows).

Eles se apoiam quer na saúde, quer na doença.

Quer rico, quer pobre.

— Regardless of social status.

Todos merecem respeito, quer rico, quer pobre.

Quer perto, quer longe.

— Whether near or far.

Eu estarei lá por você, quer perto, quer longe.

Quer ganhe, quer perca.

— Win or lose.

Ele sempre sorri, quer ganhe, quer perca.

Often Confused With

quer... quer... vs ora... ora...

Indicates alternation in time, while 'quer... quer...' indicates logical alternatives.

quer... quer... vs ou... ou...

Usually exclusive (only one can happen), while 'quer... quer...' is inclusive/indifferent.

quer... quer... vs se... ou...

Used for indirect questions ('Não sei se vou ou fico'), not for correlative alternatives.

Idioms & Expressions

"Quer queira, quer não queira"

— A more emphatic version of 'whether you want to or not'.

Quer queira, quer não queira, a verdade virá à tona.

Neutral

"Quer por um, quer por outro"

— When there are two people or things responsible.

A culpa é deles, quer por um, quer por outro.

Neutral

"Quer de um jeito, quer de outro"

— One way or another.

Nós vamos resolver isso, quer de um jeito, quer de outro.

Informal

"Quer queira Deus, quer não"

— Whether God wills it or not (used to express strong determination).

Eu vou conseguir, quer queira Deus, quer não.

Informal/Passionate

"Quer sim, quer não, o certo é o certo"

— Right is right, regardless of opinions.

Não importa o que digam, quer sim, quer não, o certo é o certo.

Neutral

"Quer por mar, quer por terra"

— By any means of travel possible.

Eles fugiram, quer por mar, quer por terra.

Literary

"Quer na paz, quer na guerra"

— In all circumstances, even the most extreme.

A lealdade dele é total, quer na paz, quer na guerra.

Formal

"Quer no riso, quer no choro"

— In happy and sad times.

Amigos de verdade estão lá quer no riso, quer no choro.

Poetic

"Quer por ação, quer por omissão"

— Whether by doing something or by failing to do something (legal term).

Ele é responsável, quer por ação, quer por omissão.

Formal/Legal

"Quer aqui, quer no além"

— Whether here or in the hereafter/beyond.

Eu te amarei, quer aqui, quer no além.

Romantic/Poetic

Easily Confused

quer... quer... vs quer

It is also a form of the verb 'querer'.

As a verb, it means 'wants'; as a conjunction, it means 'whether'.

Ele quer (wants) café. Quer (whether) café, quer (or) chá, ele aceita.

quer... quer... vs sequer

Sounds similar.

Sequer means 'even' or 'at least' in negative contexts.

Ele nem sequer me olhou.

quer... quer... vs qualquer

Contains the word 'quer'.

Qualquer means 'any'.

Qualquer pessoa pode vir.

quer... quer... vs quem

Similar spelling.

Quem means 'who'.

Quem quer café?

quer... quer... vs quaisquer

Plural of 'qualquer'.

Used for 'any' (plural).

Quaisquer dúvidas, pergunte.

Sentence Patterns

Quer [Noun], quer [Noun].

Quer sol, quer chuva.

Quer [Adverb], quer [Adverb].

Quer cedo, quer tarde.

Quer [Verb Subj.], quer [Verb Subj.].

Quer ele fale, quer ele cale.

Quer [Prepositional Phrase], quer [Prepositional Phrase].

Quer no Brasil, quer em Portugal.

Quer [Clause], quer [Clause].

Quer a economia cresça, quer a inflação aumente.

Quer [Adjective], quer [Adjective].

Quer favorável, quer contrário.

Quer se trate de [A], quer de [B].

Quer se trate de ciência, quer de arte.

Quer [Abstract Subject Verb], quer [Abstract Subject Verb].

Quer a essência se manifeste, quer se oculte.

Word Family

Verbs

querer (to want)

qualquer

querido

querença

benquisto

malquisto

How to Use It

frequency

Common in formal writing, moderate in speech.

Common Mistakes

Quer você goste ou não. → Quer você goste, quer não.
You must repeat the word 'quer' instead of using 'ou'.
Querem eles venham, quer não. → Quer eles venham, quer não.
'Quer' as a conjunction is invariable and does not change for the plural.
Quer chove, quer faz sol. → Quer chova, quer faça sol.
The subjunctive mood is preferred for hypothetical alternatives.
Quer hoje quer amanhã. → Quer hoje, quer amanhã.
A comma is missing before the second 'quer'.
Quer por bem ou mal. → Quer por bem, quer por mal.
The full correlative structure must be maintained for grammatical correctness.

Tips

Parallelism is Key

Make sure the things you put after each 'quer' are the same type of word. If you use a noun first, use a noun second.

Sound More Professional

In emails, replace 'ou' with 'quer... quer...' when presenting options to a client to sound more articulate.

No Accents

Unlike the verb 'quê', the conjunction 'quer' never takes a circumflex accent.

The Magic Comma

Always place a comma before the second 'quer'. It’s the visual cue that a new alternative is starting.

The 'Want' Connection

Remember that it comes from 'querer'. It's like saying 'The situation wants A, or it wants B, it doesn't matter'.

Formal Situations

This is your best friend for writing cover letters or academic papers.

Hypothetical Options

If the options haven't happened yet, reach for the subjunctive mood (venha, seja, faça).

Don't Mix and Match

Avoid saying 'quer... seja...'. Stick to one pair for the whole sentence.

Listen to the Beat

The repetition of 'quer' creates a rhythmic balance. Read your sentences out loud to hear it.

Expand Your List

Don't just use it for two things. Use it to list three or four alternatives for a dramatic effect.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Quer... Quer...' as 'Want... Want...'. Whether you 'want' this or you 'want' that, the result stays the same.

Visual Association

Imagine a scale with two identical weights labeled 'QUER'. No matter which side you look at, the balance is even.

Word Web

Alternativa Escolha Indiferença Seja Conjunção Equivalência Formalidade Estrutura

Challenge

Try to write three sentences about your daily routine using 'quer... quer...' instead of 'ou'.

Word Origin

Derived from the third-person singular present indicative of the Portuguese verb 'querer', which comes from the Latin 'quaerere' (to seek, to ask).

Original meaning: Originally meant 'he/she/it wants'.

Romance (Indo-European).

Cultural Context

No specific sensitivities; it is a neutral grammatical structure.

English speakers often struggle because they want to use 'or' (ou) for the second part, but 'quer... quer...' requires the repetition.

Found in the lyrics of many Fado songs to express inevitable fate. Used in the Brazilian National Anthem's formal prose style (though not specifically this phrase, the style is similar). Common in the legal codes of Portugal and Brazil.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Legal Documents

quer por ação, quer por omissão
quer o contrato seja renovado
quer as partes concordem
quer o prazo expire

Academic Writing

quer na teoria, quer na prática
quer qualitativo, quer quantitativo
quer o autor afirme
quer os dados mostrem

Daily Plans

quer chova, quer faça sol
quer hoje, quer amanhã
quer em casa, quer fora
quer você queira, quer não

Professional Feedback

quer o desempenho aumente
quer as metas sejam batidas
quer no curto prazo
quer no longo prazo

Travel

quer por avião, quer por trem
quer no verão, quer no inverno
quer perto, quer longe
quer com guia, quer sozinho

Conversation Starters

"Quer você prefira a cidade, quer o campo, onde seria sua casa ideal?"

"Quer estudemos sozinhos, quer em grupo, qual você acha que é a melhor forma de aprender?"

"Quer o futuro seja tecnológico, quer mais natural, como você imagina o mundo daqui a 50 anos?"

"Quer você ganhe muito dinheiro, quer viva uma vida simples, o que é felicidade para você?"

"Quer o café seja forte, quer fraco, como você começa o seu dia?"

Journal Prompts

Reflita sobre uma decisão que você tomou: quer o resultado tenha sido bom, quer ruim, o que você aprendeu?

Escreva sobre seus planos para o próximo ano: quer você mude de emprego, quer continue no mesmo, quais são seus objetivos?

Pense na sua saúde: quer você faça exercícios, quer cuide da alimentação, como você se sente hoje?

Descreva um lugar que você ama: quer seja barulhento, quer silencioso, por que ele é especial?

Analise um desafio atual: quer você peça ajuda, quer resolva sozinho, qual é o primeiro passo?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Gramaticamente, o correto é repetir 'quer... quer...'. O uso de 'ou' no lugar do segundo 'quer' é considerado um erro em contextos formais, embora ocorra na fala coloquial.

Ambos têm o mesmo significado. 'Seja... seja...' é ligeiramente mais comum na fala do dia a dia, enquanto 'quer... quer...' é mais frequente na escrita e em discursos formais.

Geralmente sim, quando se trata de uma possibilidade ou condição hipotética. Por exemplo: 'Quer ele venha, quer não'. Se for um fato estabelecido, o indicativo pode aparecer, mas o subjuntivo é o padrão.

Sim, você pode listar várias alternativas: 'Quer por mar, quer por terra, quer por ar, chegaremos lá'.

Sim, a vírgula antes do segundo (e terceiro, etc.) 'quer' é necessária para separar as alternativas e facilitar a leitura.

Não. Quando funciona como conjunção, o 'quer' é invariável. Não se diz 'querem... querem...' para alternativas.

O 'quer' como conjunção permanece na forma 'quer', independentemente do tempo da frase principal. 'Quer ele viesse, quer não, eu ia' (passado).

É usada em todos os países de língua portuguesa, sendo uma estrutura fundamental da gramática da língua.

A melhor tradução é 'whether you want to or not' ou 'willy-nilly'.

Sim, é muito comum começar a frase com o primeiro 'quer' para estabelecer as condições logo no início.