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quer... quer

B2 conjunction 15 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. You probably know the word 'ou' (or) to give a choice, like 'café ou chá?'. The word 'quer... quer' is much more advanced than what you need right now. However, you can think of it as a fancy way of saying 'this or that'. You might see it in a very simple sentence like 'Quer hoje, quer amanhã' which means 'Whether today or tomorrow'. For now, focus on 'ou'. Just remember that 'quer' comes from the verb 'querer' (to want), so 'quer... quer' is like saying 'it wants this, it wants that'—but it really means 'whether it is this or that'. You don't need to use this in your own speaking yet, but if you see it in a book, just know it is presenting two options that are both okay or both lead to the same result. It is like a double 'or'. In English, we use 'whether... or'. In Portuguese, they just repeat the word 'quer'. It is a good word to recognize early on so you aren't confused when you see it in a formal letter or a news headline.

At the A2 level, you are building longer sentences. You are familiar with 'ou... ou' (either... or), as in 'Ou vamos ao cinema, ou vamos ao parque'. The construction 'quer... quer' is a more formal version of this. You might hear it in a classroom or read it in a newspaper. It is used when the two options you are talking about don't change the main point of the sentence. For example: 'Quer chova, quer faça sol, eu vou caminhar.' (Whether it rains or the sun shines, I am going to walk.) Notice how 'quer' is used twice. This is the most important part to remember. You cannot just use one 'quer' to mean 'whether'. You need the pair. Also, at this level, you might start to see it with simple nouns: 'Quer o João, quer a Maria, ambos são simpáticos.' (Whether it is João or Maria, both are nice.) It is a great way to make your Portuguese sound a bit more 'grown-up' and less like a beginner. Try to spot it when you listen to the news or read short articles. It helps you understand that the speaker is giving two possibilities that are equally important.

At the B1 level, you are moving into intermediate territory. You are starting to understand that Portuguese has different 'registers' or levels of formality. 'Quer... quer' is a classic example of a higher register conjunction. It is called a 'conjunção coordenativa alternativa'. You use it to show that the outcome is independent of the conditions mentioned. A very common phrase you should learn is 'quer queira, quer não' (whether you want to or not). This is used all the time when talking about rules or inevitable things. For example: 'Quer queiras, quer não, tens de estudar para o exame.' (Whether you want to or not, you have to study for the exam.) At this level, you should also notice that the verbs following 'quer' are often in the subjunctive mood if they are hypothetical. This is a big step! 'Quer ele venha' (Whether he comes) uses 'venha' (subjunctive) because we don't know if he will come. Using 'quer... quer' correctly at B1 shows that you are paying attention to the structure of the language and not just translating word-for-word from English. It makes your writing, especially in emails or essays, look much more professional.

At the B2 level, you are expected to use 'quer... quer' with confidence. This is the level where this word truly belongs. You should use it to balance complex ideas in your arguments. For instance, in an essay about the environment, you might write: 'Quer através de leis mais rigorosas, quer através da educação dos cidadãos, a poluição deve ser reduzida.' (Whether through stricter laws or through the education of citizens, pollution must be reduced.) Notice the parallelism: 'através de' is repeated after both 'quer's. This is the hallmark of a B2 learner—someone who understands not just the meaning, but the stylistic requirements of the construction. You should also be able to distinguish 'quer... quer' from its synonyms like 'seja... seja' and 'ora... ora'. While 'seja... seja' is very similar, 'quer... quer' often feels a bit more literary. You will encounter 'quer... quer' frequently in legal texts, formal speeches, and literature. It is an essential tool for providing exhaustive alternatives. You should also be careful not to confuse it with 'quer dizer', which is a totally different expression meaning 'that is to say'. At B2, your goal is to use 'quer... quer' to create rhythm and clarity in your more complex sentences.

At the C1 level, you are refining your command of the language's nuances. 'Quer... quer' is no longer just a vocabulary item; it is a stylistic choice. You use it to create a specific tone—one of authority, balance, or literary elegance. You understand that this correlative pair is part of a larger system of disjunctive conjunctions in Portuguese. You can use it to link not just words or simple phrases, but entire subordinate clauses with complex verb structures. For example: 'Quer se considere o impacto económico a curto prazo, quer se analisem as consequências sociais a longo prazo, a conclusão é a mesma.' (Whether one considers the short-term economic impact or analyzes the long-term social consequences, the conclusion is the same.) This level of sentence construction demonstrates a sophisticated grasp of Portuguese syntax. You are also aware of the historical weight of the word, knowing it derives from 'querer', and how this subtle 'volitional' origin adds a shade of meaning to the 'choice' being presented. You can use 'quer... quer' in triadic or even larger structures for rhetorical effect in a speech or a high-level academic paper. Your use of the subjunctive mood with 'quer... quer' is flawless, and you never make the mistake of mixing it with 'ou'.

At the C2 level, you have reached a near-native or native-like proficiency. 'Quer... quer' is a natural part of your linguistic repertoire. You use it with the same ease as a native writer or orator. You can appreciate the subtle differences between 'quer... quer', 'seja... seja', 'quer... ou' (in older texts), and 'nem... nem'. You might even use 'quer... quer' in a playful or ironic way in literature or high-level journalism. You understand the rhythmic and prosodic value of the repetition of 'quer' and how it can be used to build tension or provide a sense of closure to a complex argument. In a C2 context, you might use it to explore philosophical dualities: 'Quer na imanência do ser, quer na transcendência da ideia...' You are also fully aware of the regional variations—how a speaker in Lisbon might use it slightly differently than one in Rio de Janeiro, especially regarding the surrounding verb tenses. You can effortlessly switch between 'quer... quer' and more modern constructions depending on your audience and your communicative goals. At this level, the conjunction is not a rule you follow, but a tool you wield with precision and artistry to convey the most subtle shades of logic and emphasis.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

quer... quer in 30 Seconds

A formal way to say 'whether... or' by repeating the word 'quer' before each option.
Used to show that two different conditions lead to the same result or are equally valid.
Common in academic, legal, and literary Portuguese, but also used in careful daily speech.
Requires the subjunctive mood for verbs when the situation is hypothetical or future-oriented.

The Portuguese conjunctional pair quer... quer is a sophisticated way to express alternatives or conditions that lead to the same outcome. In English, we most frequently translate this as 'whether... or' or 'either... or'. It belongs to a category of words known as correlative conjunctions because they work in tandem to connect two parts of a sentence that are balanced against each other. While it derives from the verb querer (to want), in this specific grammatical construction, it has shed its literal meaning of desire and instead functions as a logical operator of indifference or inclusive alternatives. When you use this structure, you are essentially saying that the choice between the two mentioned options does not change the validity of the main statement. It is a hallmark of upper-intermediate and advanced Portuguese, often appearing in literature, formal speeches, legal documents, and academic writing, though it is certainly heard in careful daily speech among educated speakers. Understanding this term is vital for moving beyond the basic 'ou... ou' (either... or) construction, which is more common in casual conversation but lacks the nuanced elegance that quer... quer provides to a sentence structure.

Grammatical Category: Correlative Disjunctive Conjunction. It is used to link two coordinate clauses or terms that present a choice or a condition of indifference.
Register: Formal to Semi-formal. It is highly frequent in written Portuguese and formal oratory, but less common in slang-heavy or very informal street speech.

Ele virá à festa, quer chova, quer faça sol.

In the example above, the speaker is emphasizing that the weather conditions are irrelevant to the person's arrival. The use of quer... quer creates a rhythmic balance in the sentence that is pleasing to the ear and clear to the mind. It suggests a sense of inevitability or a firm decision. Linguistically, it is fascinating because it uses the third-person singular present indicative of the verb querer. Historically, this meant 'it wants' or 'it may want', evolving into the conditional sense of 'it being the case that... or it being the case that...'. This evolution is common in Romance languages where verbs of volition or possibility become grammatical markers. For an English speaker, the main challenge is not the meaning, but the habit of repeating the word quer twice. In English, we use two different words ('whether' and 'or'), but in Portuguese, the repetition is what creates the correlative link. Without the second quer, the sentence would feel incomplete and grammatically broken in this specific context.

Quer você aceite, quer não, a decisão está tomada.

One must also distinguish quer... quer from seja... seja. While they are often interchangeable, quer... quer often carries a slightly more literary or emphatic tone. In legal texts, you might see quer... quer used to cover all possible categories of a law's application. For instance, 'Quer sejam cidadãos nacionais, quer sejam estrangeiros...' (Whether they are national citizens or foreigners...). This ensures that the scope of the statement is clearly defined and leaves no room for ambiguity. Furthermore, it is important to note that when verbs follow quer, they are usually in the present subjunctive mood if the outcome is hypothetical or future-oriented, although the indicative is sometimes used in more fixed or factual expressions. Mastery of this conjunction indicates a high level of linguistic control and an appreciation for the structural beauty of the Portuguese language.

Historical Context: Derived from the Latin 'quaerere' (to seek/want). The transition from a verb of seeking to a conjunction of choice mirrors the English 'will he, nill he' (willy-nilly), though 'quer... quer' remains much more formal and versatile.

O sucesso depende do esforço, quer na escola, quer no trabalho.

Using quer... quer correctly requires an understanding of sentence balance. The structure is symmetrical: you place the first quer before the first option and the second quer before the second option. These options can be single words (nouns, adjectives, adverbs) or entire clauses. When connecting clauses, pay close attention to verb conjugation. If you are expressing a possibility or a condition that has not yet been realized, the subjunctive mood is your best friend. For example, 'Quer ele venha, quer não venha' uses the present subjunctive because his coming is still an uncertainty. This grammatical nuance adds a layer of precision that English sometimes lacks with its more flexible 'whether he comes or not' (which uses the indicative-looking 'comes' but functions as a conditional).

Noun Phrases: Quer os pais, quer os filhos, todos devem participar da reunião. (Whether the parents or the children, everyone must participate in the meeting.)
Adjectival Phrases: A paisagem é linda, quer no inverno, quer no verão. (The landscape is beautiful, whether in winter or in summer.)

Quer por medo, quer por respeito, ele sempre obedecia às ordens.

One of the most powerful uses of quer... quer is in the construction of 'exhaustive alternatives'. This means you are covering every possible base so that the conclusion remains inescapable. It is very common in philosophical or political discourse. If a speaker says, 'Quer ganhemos, quer percamos, nossa dignidade permanece intacta,' they are using the correlative structure to heighten the emotional impact of the statement. The repetition of quer acts as a rhythmic anchor, drawing the listener's attention to the two extremes being presented. From a syntactic perspective, ensure that the elements following each quer are parallel. If the first quer is followed by a prepositional phrase ('quer por amor'), the second should ideally also be followed by a prepositional phrase ('quer por dever') to maintain the stylistic flow.

Devemos ser honestos, quer em situações fáceis, quer em momentos de crise.

In terms of punctuation, a comma is frequently used to separate the two parts of the correlative pair, especially when they introduce long clauses. However, for short phrases like 'quer um quer outro', the comma may be omitted. It is also worth noting that quer... quer can sometimes be extended to three or more options, though this is rarer. For example: 'Quer por mar, quer por terra, quer por ar, chegaremos ao destino.' (Whether by sea, by land, or by air, we will reach the destination.) This triadic structure is highly rhetorical and effective in persuasive writing. For the learner, the biggest hurdle is often just remembering to use it instead of the simpler ou. By incorporating quer... quer into your repertoire, you signal to native speakers that you have a deep grasp of the language's logical connectors and its more formal registers.

Common Verb Pairings: Quer queira, quer não queira (Whether you want to or not). This is a very common fixed expression used to indicate that something is mandatory or inevitable.

Quer você estude muito, quer estude pouco, o exame será difícil.

If you are walking down the streets of Lisbon or São Paulo, you might not hear quer... quer in every casual conversation about the weather or lunch. However, the moment you step into a more structured environment, its frequency spikes. In the world of Brazilian 'Telejornais' (news broadcasts) or Portuguese 'Informários', journalists use this construction to present balanced views or to describe complex situations. For example, a reporter might say, 'Quer o governo aceite as condições, quer os sindicatos recuem, a greve continua.' This gives the reporting a serious, authoritative tone. Similarly, in the academic halls of Coimbra or USP, professors use quer... quer to categorize theories or results. It is the language of analysis and intellectual rigor. If you listen to a podcast about history or politics in Portuguese, you will hear it used to link historical causes or political outcomes that are equally likely or significant.

News & Media: Used to present multiple facets of a story without taking a side. 'Quer os manifestantes, quer a polícia, ambos relataram violência.'
Literature: Classic authors like Machado de Assis or Eça de Queirós frequently use this to create rhythmic prose and explore the dualities of their characters' lives.

'A vida é um combate, quer na paz, quer na guerra.'

In legal and administrative contexts, quer... quer is indispensable. Contracts often use it to define the scope of liabilities or rights. 'Quer por negligência, quer por dolo...' (Whether by negligence or by intent...) is a standard legal phrase. This precision is why the word persists despite simpler alternatives existing in the spoken language. Furthermore, in religious settings or formal ceremonies (like weddings or graduations), the word is used to lend a sense of solemnity and universality to the vows or speeches. 'Quer na saúde, quer na doença' (Whether in health or in sickness) is the classic translation of the marriage vow. Even in business meetings, a manager might use it to show that they have considered all options: 'Quer sigamos o plano A, quer o plano B, precisamos de mais recursos.'

O regulamento aplica-se a todos, quer sejam funcionários, quer sejam clientes.

Interestingly, while quer... quer is formal, it isn't 'stiff' or 'archaic'. It is very much alive. In the era of social media, you might find it in long-form posts or 'threads' where someone is making a detailed argument or expressing a strong opinion. It allows the writer to sound more persuasive and organized. For example, an influencer might write about a travel destination: 'Quer você goste de aventura, quer prefira relaxar, este lugar é perfeito.' This usage bridges the gap between the traditional formal register and modern communication. By recognizing quer... quer in these various contexts, you will begin to see how Portuguese speakers use grammar to signal the importance and the logical structure of their message.

Formal Oratory: In political speeches, 'quer... quer' is used to unite diverse groups under a single cause. 'Quer no norte, quer no sul, somos um só povo.'

Quer de dia, quer de noite, o barulho da rua nunca para.

One of the most frequent errors English speakers make when using quer... quer is attempting to use it as a single word, similar to the English 'whether'. In English, we can say 'I don't know whether he is coming.' In Portuguese, you cannot use quer here. You must use se ('Não sei se ele vem'). The correlative quer... quer requires two parts to function as a disjunction. If you only provide one, the sentence will sound like you are using the verb 'to want' and then suddenly stopped speaking. Another common mistake is mixing conjunctions, such as saying 'quer... ou'. While understandable, it is grammatically incorrect. You must maintain the pair: quer... quer or ou... ou. Mixing them is like saying 'either... and' in English; it confuses the logical flow of the sentence.

Mistake: Using it for single indirect questions: Incorrect: 'Eu não sei quer ele venha.' Correct: 'Eu não sei se ele vem.'
Mistake: Mixing with 'ou': Incorrect: 'Quer você queira ou não.' Correct: 'Quer você queira, quer não.'

Incorrect: Quer chova ou faça sol. Correct: Quer chova, quer faça sol.

Verb tense confusion is another pitfall. Since quer... quer often introduces hypothetical or future conditions, learners often forget to use the subjunctive mood. Saying 'Quer ele vem, quer não vem' sounds very informal and slightly uneducated in a context where quer... quer is expected. The correct form would be 'Quer ele venha, quer não venha'. Using the indicative mood strips the sentence of its hypothetical nuance. Additionally, learners sometimes confuse quer... quer with the phrase quer dizer (that is to say / I mean). While they share the same root verb, they have entirely different functions. Quer... quer links alternatives, while quer dizer clarifies or rephrases a previous statement.

Incorrect: Ela não decidiu quer vai viajar. Correct: Ela não decidiu se vai viajar.

Finally, watch out for the placement of the subject. In English, we say 'Whether you like it or not.' In Portuguese, while 'Quer você goste, quer não' is correct, it is often more natural to place the subject after the verb or omit it entirely if it's clear from the context: 'Quer gostes, quer não.' Placing the subject right after quer can sometimes feel a bit clunky. Also, ensure you don't confuse quer with quem (who). Although they sound somewhat similar to a beginner's ear, their functions are worlds apart. One describes a choice of conditions, the other identifies a person. Consistent practice with reading formal texts will help cement the correct patterns of quer... quer in your mind, making these mistakes less likely over time.

Mistake: Subject Placement: While 'Quer você aceite' is okay, 'Quer aceites' (if using tu) or 'Quer aceite' (if using você) is often more elegant in formal writing.

Incorrect: Querem chova, querem faça sol. Correct: Quer chova, quer faça sol. (The word 'quer' never pluralizes in this role!)

When you want to express a choice or a condition in Portuguese, quer... quer is just one tool in your toolbox. The most direct alternative is seja... seja. Derived from the verb ser (to be) in the subjunctive, seja... seja literally means 'be it... be it'. It is extremely common in both speech and writing and is often interchangeable with quer... quer. However, seja... seja feels slightly more modern and is the preferred choice in Brazil for everyday formal contexts. For example, 'Seja por dinheiro, seja por fama' (Be it for money, be it for fame) sounds just as good as 'Quer por dinheiro, quer por fama'. The choice between them is often a matter of personal style or regional preference.

Seja... seja: Very similar to 'quer... quer'. It is often used to list possibilities. Example: 'Seja hoje, seja amanhã, temos que terminar.'
Ou... ou: The most basic 'either... or'. It is more direct and less 'conditional' than 'quer... quer'. Example: 'Ou você come, ou você sai.'

Comparison:
1. Quer venha, quer não venha (Formal/Literary)
2. Seja vindo, seja não vindo (Standard/Formal)
3. Ou ele vem, ou não vem (Casual/Direct)

Another alternative is ora... ora. This correlative pair is used to describe alternating states or actions that happen one after the other, rather than conditions that lead to the same result. For example, 'Ora chove, ora faz sol' (Now it rains, now it's sunny) implies a sequence of events. While it looks like quer... quer, its meaning is temporal rather than conditional. Then there is já... já, which is very similar to ora... ora and is used to describe rapid changes: 'Já ria, já chorava' (One moment she laughed, the next she cried). Understanding these nuances prevents you from using the wrong correlative and ensures your Portuguese accurately reflects the logic you intend to convey.

Example with ora... ora: O menino, ora corria, ora saltava de alegria. (The boy now ran, now jumped with joy.)

For the English 'whether or not', Portuguese also uses the phrase quer queira, quer não (whether you want it or not). This is a fixed idiomatic use of the quer... quer structure. If you want to say 'regardless of', you might use independentemente de. For example, 'Independentemente de chover, eu vou' (Regardless of it raining, I'm going). This is more clinical and less rhythmic than the correlative structure. Lastly, in very formal or archaic texts, you might encounter quer... ou, but as mentioned before, this is generally discouraged in modern grammars. By mastering quer... quer and its cousins, you gain the ability to express complex relationships between ideas, a key skill for any advanced language learner.

Já... já: Temporal alternation. 'Já está frio, já está calor.' (One minute it is cold, the next it is hot.)
Nem... nem: The negative version: 'Neither... nor'. 'Nem o pai, nem o filho vieram.' (Neither the father nor the son came.)

Quer por bem, quer por mal, ele terá de aprender. (Whether by fair means or foul, he will have to learn.)

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The use of 'quer... quer' as a conjunction is an example of 'grammaticalization', where a common verb evolves into a structural part of the language's logic, losing its literal meaning of 'wanting'.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ˈkɛɾ ... ˈkɛɾ/

US /ˈkɛr ... ˈkɛr/

The stress is on the only syllable: 'QUER'. Since it is a monosyllable, it is naturally stressed when spoken clearly.

Rhymes With

quer mulher colher qualquer puder vier tiver der

Common Errors

Pronouncing the 'u' (it is silent).
Using a hard 'r' like in 'red' (it should be a soft flap).
Closing the 'e' too much (it should be open like 'air' without the 'i' sound).
Nasalizing the 'e' (it is a pure oral vowel).
Stressing the second 'quer' more than the first (both should have equal weight).

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Easy to recognize once you know the pattern, as the repetition is a clear signal.

Writing 7/5

Requires attention to parallelism and correct verb mood (subjunctive).

Speaking 6/5

Hard to remember to use instead of 'ou... ou', but easy to pronounce.

Listening 4/5

Clearly audible, but can be confused with the verb 'querer' by beginners.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

ou querer se mas porque

Learn Next

seja... seja ora... ora conquanto todavia contanto que

Advanced

correlativas disjuntivas subjuntivo paralelismo sintático

Grammar to Know

Parallelism

If the first 'quer' is followed by a preposition, the second should be too: 'Quer COM ele, quer COM ela.'

Subjunctive Mood

Use subjunctive for hypothetical future: 'Quer ele VENHA (subjunctive), quer não.'

Fixed Form

'Quer' does not change to 'querem' even if the subject is plural: 'Quer os meninos venham...'

Punctuation

Use a comma to separate long clauses: 'Quer ele decida ficar no Brasil, quer decida voltar para Portugal, ele será feliz.'

Indifference

'Quer... quer' implies that both options result in the same outcome for the main clause.

Examples by Level

Quer hoje, quer amanhã, eu vou.

Whether today or tomorrow, I am going.

A1 learners can see this as a simple 'this or that' structure.

Quer café, quer chá, eu gosto.

Whether coffee or tea, I like it.

Simple nouns following each 'quer'.

Quer o pai, quer a mãe.

Whether the father or the mother.

Connecting two people.

Quer sim, quer não.

Whether yes or no.

A common way to say 'either way'.

Quer aqui, quer ali.

Whether here or there.

Connecting two locations.

Quer azul, quer verde.

Whether blue or green.

Connecting two colors.

Quer um, quer outro.

Whether one or the other.

A common phrase for choice.

Quer agora, quer depois.

Whether now or later.

Connecting time adverbs.

Quer chova, quer faça sol, nós vamos.

Whether it rains or the sun shines, we are going.

Using simple verbs in the subjunctive.

Quer no verão, quer no inverno, é lindo.

Whether in summer or in winter, it is beautiful.

Connecting prepositional phrases.

Quer o João, quer a Maria, eles ajudam.

Whether João or Maria, they help.

Subject-verb agreement with two options.

Quer de dia, quer de noite, há barulho.

Whether by day or by night, there is noise.

Contrast between time periods.

Quer em casa, quer na escola, estude.

Whether at home or at school, study.

Imperative verb used with the conjunction.

Quer por mar, quer por terra, eles vêm.

Whether by sea or by land, they are coming.

Parallel prepositional phrases.

Quer você aceite, quer não.

Whether you accept it or not.

Common conditional structure.

Quer seja caro, quer seja barato, eu compro.

Whether it is expensive or cheap, I am buying it.

Using 'seja' after 'quer' for emphasis.

Quer queiras, quer não, tens de ir.

Whether you want to or not, you have to go.

Idiomatic use with 'querer' in the subjunctive.

Quer ele venha, quer não venha, a festa continua.

Whether he comes or not, the party continues.

Verbs in the present subjunctive.

Quer por medo, quer por respeito, ele obedece.

Whether out of fear or out of respect, he obeys.

Connecting abstract nouns with prepositions.

Quer o governo ajude, quer não, faremos o projeto.

Whether the government helps or not, we will do the project.

Using a noun subject within the clause.

Quer no trabalho, quer na vida pessoal, seja honesto.

Whether at work or in personal life, be honest.

Balanced advice structure.

Quer através do rádio, quer da televisão, a notícia espalhou-se.

Whether through the radio or television, the news spread.

Parallelism with 'através de'.

Quer ganhemos, quer percamos, jogamos bem.

Whether we win or lose, we played well.

Contrast of outcomes.

Quer você estude, quer trabalhe, o tempo passa.

Whether you study or work, time passes.

Showing indifference to the activity.

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

Whether it's a matter of an error or a choice, the consequences are real.

Using 'tratar-se de' in a formal correlative structure.

Quer os lucros aumentem, quer diminuam, manteremos a equipe.

Whether profits increase or decrease, we will keep the team.

Future-oriented subjunctive verbs.

Quer pela via diplomática, quer pela força, o conflito terminará.

Whether through diplomatic channels or by force, the conflict will end.

Formal political vocabulary.

Quer prefira o campo, quer a cidade, Portugal tem opções excelentes.

Whether you prefer the countryside or the city, Portugal has excellent options.

Omission of the verb in the second part for elegance.

Quer sob o ponto de vista ético, quer legal, isso é inaceitável.

Whether from an ethical or legal point of view, this is unacceptable.

Complex prepositional phrases.

Quer por ação, quer por omissão, todos são responsáveis.

Whether by action or omission, everyone is responsible.

Legal/Philosophical terminology.

Quer a ciência comprove, quer a intuição sugira, eu acredito.

Whether science proves it or intuition suggests it, I believe it.

Contrasting two different ways of knowing.

Quer na alegria, quer na tristeza, estarei ao teu lado.

Whether in joy or in sadness, I will be by your side.

Classic formal vow structure.

Quer se analise a obra sob uma ótica marxista, quer sob uma perspetiva existencialista, o génio do autor é evidente.

Whether the work is analyzed from a Marxist perspective or an existentialist one, the author's genius is evident.

High-level academic analysis with passive 'se'.

Quer o fado seja uma expressão de saudade, quer seja um grito de revolta, ele define a alma portuguesa.

Whether fado is an expression of longing or a cry of revolt, it defines the Portuguese soul.

Cultural analysis with complex definitions.

Quer o mercado recupere rapidamente, quer enfrentemos uma recessão prolongada, a estratégia deve ser cautelosa.

Whether the market recovers quickly or we face a prolonged recession, the strategy must be cautious.

Economic discourse with contrasting future scenarios.

Quer as políticas públicas foquem na infraestrutura, quer foquem no capital humano, o desenvolvimento é necessário.

Whether public policies focus on infrastructure or human capital, development is necessary.

Political science terminology.

Quer a linguagem seja vista como um espelho da realidade, quer como um instrumento de poder, ela molda o pensamento.

Whether language is seen as a mirror of reality or an instrument of power, it shapes thought.

Linguistic/Philosophical debate structure.

Quer se trate de um fenómeno biológico, quer de uma construção social, o comportamento humano é complexo.

Whether it is a biological phenomenon or a social construction, human behavior is complex.

Using 'tratar-se de' with abstract concepts.

Quer o indivíduo procure a solidão, quer procure a integração, a busca por sentido é constante.

Whether the individual seeks solitude or integration, the search for meaning is constant.

Psychological/Philosophical exploration.

Quer a narrativa se perca em detalhes, quer avance com rapidez, o leitor deve manter-se atento.

Whether the narrative gets lost in details or advances quickly, the reader must remain attentive.

Literary criticism.

Quer a ontologia nos conduza ao ser-em-si, quer a fenomenologia nos remeta para o ser-para-outro, a dicotomia persiste.

Whether ontology leads us to the being-in-itself or phenomenology refers us to the being-for-others, the dichotomy persists.

Highly specialized philosophical terminology.

Quer a hermenêutica desvele sentidos ocultos, quer a desconstrução aponte para a aporia, o texto permanece inesgotável.

Whether hermeneutics unveils hidden meanings or deconstruction points to aporia, the text remains inexhaustible.

Advanced literary theory.

Quer a soberania resida no monarca, quer no povo, a legitimidade do poder é o cerne do debate político.

Whether sovereignty resides in the monarch or in the people, the legitimacy of power is the core of the political debate.

Constitutional law and political philosophy.

Quer a entropia dite o fim do universo, quer a expansão prossiga infinitamente, a nossa existência é um breve lampejo.

Whether entropy dictates the end of the universe or expansion continues infinitely, our existence is a brief flash.

Cosmological discourse.

Quer a ética se fundamente no imperativo categórico, quer no utilitarismo, a ação moral exige reflexão.

Whether ethics is based on the categorical imperative or utilitarianism, moral action requires reflection.

Moral philosophy at a professional level.

Quer a historiografia privilegie os grandes nomes, quer as massas anónimas, a verdade histórica é sempre uma construção.

Whether historiography privileges great names or anonymous masses, historical truth is always a construction.

Historiographical theory.

Quer a psicanálise explore o inconsciente, quer a neurociência mapeie os sinapses, o mistério da mente persiste.

Whether psychoanalysis explores the unconscious or neuroscience maps the synapses, the mystery of the mind persists.

Scientific and psychological synthesis.

Quer a arte mimetize a natureza, quer a transcenda através da abstração, ela reflete a condição humana.

Whether art mimics nature or transcends it through abstraction, it reflects the human condition.

Aesthetics and art theory.

Common Collocations

quer queira, quer não

quer no verão, quer no inverno

quer por bem, quer por mal

quer de dia, quer de noite

quer um, quer outro

quer no trabalho, quer em casa

quer ganhe, quer perca

quer sim, quer não

quer seja rico, quer seja pobre

quer por medo, quer por coragem

Common Phrases

Quer queiras, quer não.

— Whether you want it or not. Used to say something is inevitable.

Quer queiras, quer não, a velhice chega.

Quer um, quer outro.

— Either one or the other. Used when both options are acceptable.

Qualquer livro serve, quer um, quer outro.

Quer chova, quer faça sol.

— Rain or shine. Used to show commitment regardless of circumstances.

Estaremos lá, quer chova, quer faça sol.

Quer agora, quer mais tarde.

— Whether now or later. Used to show that time doesn't matter.

O problema será resolvido, quer agora, quer mais tarde.

Quer por ação, quer por omissão.

— By action or by silence/failure to act. A legal and ethical phrase.

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

Quer de perto, quer de longe.

— Whether from near or far. Used to show total coverage of distance.

A vista é bela, quer de perto, quer de longe.

Quer na saúde, quer na doença.

— In sickness and in health. Part of traditional wedding vows.

Prometo amar-te quer na saúde, quer na doença.

Quer por terra, quer por mar.

— By land or by sea. Used to cover all modes of travel.

As mercadorias chegam quer por terra, quer por mar.

Quer hoje, quer amanhã.

— Whether today or tomorrow. Used for short-term flexibility.

A encomenda chega quer hoje, quer amanhã.

Quer se queira, quer não se queira.

— The more formal version of 'quer queiras, quer não'.

A tecnologia avança, quer se queira, quer não se queira.

Often Confused With

quer... quer vs se

English speakers use 'whether' for both 'if' and 'whether... or'. In Portuguese, 'se' is for 'if/whether' in single indirect questions, while 'quer... quer' is for alternatives.

quer... quer vs quer dizer

This means 'that is to say' or 'I mean'. It is used for clarification, not for alternatives.

quer... quer vs qualquer

This means 'any' or 'anybody'. It sounds similar but is an indefinite pronoun/adjective.

Idioms & Expressions

"Quer por bem, quer por mal"

— By hook or by crook; one way or another, even if force is needed.

Vais comer a sopa, quer por bem, quer por mal!

Neutral

"Quer queiras, quer não queiras"

— Like it or lump it; something that must be accepted.

A vida continua, quer queiras, quer não queiras.

Informal/Neutral

"Quer um, quer outro, tanto faz"

— Six of one, half a dozen of the other.

Não consigo escolher o vestido, quer um, quer outro, tanto faz.

Informal

"Quer no céu, quer na terra"

— Everywhere imaginable; universally.

Não há nada igual, quer no céu, quer na terra.

Poetic

"Quer queira, quer não queira, o tempo voa"

— Time flies whether you want it to or not.

Aproveita a juventude, pois quer queira, quer não queira, o tempo voa.

Philosophical

"Quer sim, quer não, a sorte está lançada"

— The die is cast, regardless of your opinion.

Agora já não podes voltar atrás, quer sim, quer não, a sorte está lançada.

Formal

"Quer de manhã, quer de tarde, o trabalho não acaba"

— Work is never-ending, regardless of the time of day.

Nesta empresa, quer de manhã, quer de tarde, o trabalho não acaba.

Neutral

"Quer por amor, quer por dor"

— Through positive or negative experiences.

A alma cresce, quer por amor, quer por dor.

Literary

"Quer seja verdade, quer seja mentira"

— Regardless of its truthfulness.

A história é engraçada, quer seja verdade, quer seja mentira.

Neutral

"Quer um queira, quer outro não"

— Even if there is disagreement between two parties.

O contrato será assinado, quer um queira, quer outro não.

Formal

Easily Confused

quer... quer vs querer

The conjunction comes from this verb.

'Querer' is a verb meaning 'to want'. 'Quer... quer' is a conjunction meaning 'whether... or'.

Eu QUERO um café. (Verb) / QUER café, QUER chá, eu bebo. (Conjunction)

quer... quer vs sequer

Sounds similar.

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

Ele nem SEQUER ligou.

quer... quer vs seja... seja

Identical meaning.

'Seja... seja' is more common in Brazil and slightly less literary than 'quer... quer'.

Seja hoje, seja amanhã.

quer... quer vs ora... ora

Similar structure.

'Ora... ora' shows alternation (now this, now that), not indifference between conditions.

Ora chove, ora faz sol.

quer... quer vs ou... ou

Both give choices.

'Ou... ou' is an exclusive choice (one or the other). 'Quer... quer' implies the result is the same regardless of which one is true.

Ou você vem agora, ou fica em casa.

Sentence Patterns

Quer [Noun], quer [Noun].

Quer café, quer chá.

Quer [Subjunctive Verb], quer não [Subjunctive Verb].

Quer venha, quer não venha.

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

Quer em casa, quer na rua.

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

Quer você aceite, quer você recuse.

Quer por [Abstract Noun], quer por [Abstract Noun].

Quer por amor, quer por medo.

Quer se [Verb] [Topic A], quer se [Verb] [Topic B].

Quer se analise a economia, quer se analise a política.

Quer sob o ponto de vista [Adjective], quer [Adjective].

Quer sob o ponto de vista ético, quer legal.

Quer [Complex Clause A], quer [Complex Clause B].

Quer a ciência comprove a teoria, quer a filosofia a conteste.

Word Family

Nouns

querer (the act of wanting)

Verbs

querer (to want)

requerer (to require)

desquerer (to stop loving/wanting)

Adjectives

querido (dear/loved)

querente (one who wants - legal term)

qualquer (any)

sequer (even/at least)

malquerer (to wish ill)

bem-querer (to wish well)

quaisquer (any - plural)

How to Use It

frequency

Common in written Portuguese, medium frequency in spoken European Portuguese, lower frequency in spoken Brazilian Portuguese.

Common Mistakes

Using 'quer' only once. → Quer A, quer B.
You must repeat the word to create the correlative link. One 'quer' is just a verb.
Mixing 'quer' with 'ou'. → Quer A, quer B (or) Ou A, ou B.
Conjunctions come in fixed pairs. Mixing them disrupts the logical structure.
Pluralizing the conjunction. → Quer os amigos, quer os inimigos...
'Quer' is a fixed conjunction here, not a verb agreeing with a subject.
Using 'quer' for 'if/whether' in simple questions. → Não sei se ele vem.
'Quer... quer' is for alternatives. 'Se' is for simple indirect questions.
Using the indicative mood for hypothetical choices. → Quer ele venha, quer não...
The subjunctive mood is required for hypothetical or future-oriented conditions after 'quer'.

Tips

Check your Parallelism

Ensure that the grammatical structure following both 'quer' words is identical. If the first is a noun, the second should be a noun. This makes your Portuguese sound much more natural and professional.

Learn the Fixed Phrases

Memorize 'quer queira, quer não' (whether you like it or not) and 'quer chova, quer faça sol' (rain or shine). These are used frequently and will help you internalize the structure.

Level Up Your Essays

Replace 'ou... ou' with 'quer... quer' in your formal writing. It immediately signals to the reader that you have an advanced command of Portuguese conjunctions.

Listen for the Subjunctive

When you hear 'quer', listen for the verb ending that follows. It's a great way to practice recognizing the present subjunctive in real-time conversation.

Don't pluralize it

Never say 'querem... querem'. Even if you are talking about 'the dogs and the cats', it is always 'quer os cães, quer os gatos'.

Use Commas Wisely

A comma is helpful between the two parts of the correlative, especially if the clauses are long. It helps the reader breathe and follow the logic.

Regional Nuance

If you are in Portugal, 'quer... quer' is very common in formal news. In Brazil, you'll see it more in newspapers like 'Folha de S.Paulo' than in street slang.

The 'Double-Q' Rule

Remember it as the 'Double-Q' rule for 'Whether'. Two 'Quers' for two options. It's a balanced pair.

Spot it in Law

If you read Portuguese legal documents, you will see 'quer... quer' everywhere. It's used to make sure a law covers all possible categories.

Indifference Marker

Think of it as a marker of indifference. You are saying 'I don't care if it's A or B, the result is C.'

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Quer' as 'Question'. You are asking two Questions: 'Quer A? Quer B?'. Either way, the answer is the same.

Visual Association

Imagine a scale that is perfectly balanced. On one side is the first 'quer', and on the other side is the second 'quer'. No matter which side you pick, the scale stays balanced.

Word Web

querer seja ou correlativa alternativa se querido qualquer

Challenge

Try to write three sentences about your weekend using 'quer... quer' to describe things you will do regardless of the weather or your mood.

Word Origin

From the Latin 'quaerere', which means 'to seek', 'to look for', or 'to ask'.

Original meaning: In Latin, 'quaerere' was a verb of action and inquiry. In Old Portuguese, 'quer' was simply the 3rd person singular of the verb 'querer'.

Romance (Indo-European).

Cultural Context

There are no major sensitivities, but using it in a very informal setting (like a bar) might make you sound overly formal or slightly pretentious if not used naturally.

English speakers often struggle because they want to use 'if' or 'whether' (se) instead of the repeated 'quer'. The concept of a repeated conjunction for 'whether... or' is less intuitive in English.

Used in the Portuguese translation of the Bible (e.g., 'quer comais, quer bebais' - whether you eat or drink). Frequently appears in the poetry of Fernando Pessoa to contrast different states of being. Common in the preamble of the Portuguese Constitution.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Giving a choice where both are fine

Quer um, quer outro.
Quer este, quer aquele.
Quer hoje, quer amanhã.
Quer aqui, quer ali.

Expressing an inevitable action

Quer queiras, quer não.
Quer você aceite, quer não.
Quer gostem, quer não.
Quer queira, quer não queira.

Describing a constant state

Quer de dia, quer de noite.
Quer no verão, quer no inverno.
Quer na paz, quer na guerra.
Quer na alegria, quer na tristeza.

Formal analysis

Quer sob o ponto de vista X, quer Y.
Quer por ação, quer por omissão.
Quer na teoria, quer na prática.
Quer se trate de A, quer de B.

Travel and Logistics

Quer por mar, quer por terra.
Quer de avião, quer de comboio.
Quer perto, quer longe.
Quer cedo, quer tarde.

Conversation Starters

"Quer você prefira a praia, quer a montanha, qual é o seu lugar favorito em Portugal?"

"Quer chova, quer faça sol, o que você gosta de fazer nos finais de semana?"

"Quer você estude sozinho, quer com amigos, qual é a melhor forma de aprender português?"

"Quer seja para trabalhar, quer seja para passear, você prefere cidades grandes ou pequenas?"

"Quer queiras, quer não, a tecnologia mudou tudo. O que você acha disso?"

Journal Prompts

Escreva sobre uma decisão que você tomou, quer tenha sido fácil, quer tenha sido difícil.

Descreva um lugar que é bonito quer no inverno, quer no verão.

Reflita sobre uma regra que todos devem seguir, quer concordem com ela, quer não.

Pense em um objetivo que você quer alcançar, quer leve muito tempo, quer seja rápido.

Discuta a importância da honestidade, quer em situações simples, quer em momentos críticos.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No. In the sense of 'whether... or', you must repeat 'quer' before each alternative. If you use it once, it will be interpreted as the verb 'to want' (querer).

Not exactly. 'Ou... ou' is for exclusive choices (either A or B, but not both). 'Quer... quer' is for conditions where the outcome is the same either way. However, in many casual contexts, they are used interchangeably.

Usually, yes, if you are talking about hypothetical or future situations (e.g., 'quer venha'). If you are linking nouns or adjectives, no mood is needed (e.g., 'quer frio, quer calor').

Yes, but it is much more common in formal writing, news, and legal contexts. In daily speech, Brazilians are more likely to use 'seja... seja' or 'ou... ou'.

It is not considered standard Portuguese. You should stick to the pairs: 'quer... quer' or 'ou... ou'.

No. When used as a conjunction, 'quer' is invariable. You say 'quer os pais, quer os filhos', never 'querem os pais'.

The meaning is the same. 'Quer... quer' is slightly more literary/formal, while 'seja... seja' is standard formal and very common in Brazil.

The most common way is 'quer ele goste, quer não' or the idiomatic 'quer queira, quer não'.

Yes. 'Quer por mar, quer por terra, quer por ar.' It is less common but grammatically correct and very rhetorical.

Yes, both instances of 'quer' receive a clear stress to mark the beginning of each alternative.