How to say “What”, “Where”, and “When” in Portuguese questions

Introduction

If you are starting to learn Brazilian Portuguese, mastering the basic question words is one of the fastest ways to communicate. This article explains how to say what, where, and when in Portuguese questions, gives practical vocabulary, sample sentences, and beginner tips to use these words in everyday situations.

Why question words matter for beginners

Question words let you ask for information instead of just responding. With a few simple words you can ask for directions, schedules, prices, and more. Learning the Portuguese equivalents of what, where, and when helps you navigate shops, transit, restaurants, and conversations with native speakers.

The core words: what, where, when

Below are the three core question words and their Brazilian Portuguese translations. Each item includes a short English explanation and example phrases you can use right away.

What — o que / quê / qual

o que is the general form for asking what. Use qual when asking which one or when choosing among options.

Examples:

O que é isso?
Translation: What is this?

Qual é o seu nome?
Translation: What is your name? (literally Which is your name?)

Que horas são?
Translation: What time is it? Note: que is common in the phrase que horas são.

Where — onde / aonde

Use onde to ask where something or someone is located. Use aonde when the verb implies movement toward a place (to where). Aonde is used with verbs of motion like ir (to go).

Examples:

Onde fica o banheiro?
Translation: Where is the restroom?

Aonde você vai?
Translation: Where are you going? (movement toward)

Onde está a estação de metrô?
Translation: Where is the subway station?

When — quando

Use quando to ask about time or dates. It works for asking about schedules, appointments, or events.

Examples:

Quando é a aula?
Translation: When is the class?

Quando vocês abrem?
Translation: When do you open? (useful for shops and services)

Quando é o próximo ônibus?
Translation: When is the next bus?

Common question structures using what, where, and when

Portuguese questions can be formed in several ways. For beginners, focus on three simple patterns: question word + verb, question word + verb + subject, and question word + preposition + place. Below are examples with translations and notes.

Question word + verb

This is the simplest pattern. Use it for quick questions in everyday settings.

Que horas são?
Translation: What time is it?

Onde está o caixa?
Translation: Where is the cashier?

Quando começa o filme?
Translation: When does the movie start?

Question word + verb + subject

This emphasizes who or what performs the action. It is comfortable for learners because the structure mirrors English.

O que você quer?
Translation: What do you want?

Aonde você vai amanhã?
Translation: Where are you going tomorrow?

Quando ele chega?
Translation: When does he arrive?

Question word + preposition + place

Use prepositions for more precise location questions. Common prepositions are em (in, at), para (to, for), de (from, of), and com (with).

Onde está o livro em cima da mesa?
Translation: Where is the book on the table?

Para onde é a sua viagem?
Translation: Where is your trip to? (where to)

Quando sai o próximo voo para Salvador?
Translation: When does the next flight to Salvador leave?

Useful vocabulary related to what, where, and when

Learning a small set of related words makes your questions more natural. Below are practical words and short notes on usage.

hoje — today

amanhã — tomorrow

ontem — yesterday

agora — now

mais tarde — later

hoje de manhã — this morning

esta noite — tonight

perto — near

longe — far

ao lado de — next to

atrás de — behind

em frente de — in front of

pergunta — question

resposta — answer

Everyday practical examples

Here are short dialogues and signs you might encounter. These examples are realistic for travelers, students, and beginners living in Brazil.

At a cafe:

Cliente: O que tem no cardápio hoje?
Barista: Temos pão de queijo e bolo de cenoura.
Translation: Customer: What is on the menu today? Barista: We have cheese bread and carrot cake.

Asking for directions:

Você: Onde fica a padaria mais próxima?
Local: Vai em frente e vira à direita. Fica perto do supermercado.
Translation: You: Where is the nearest bakery? Local: Go straight and turn right. It is near the supermarket.

Transport and schedules:

Passageiro: Quando sai o próximo ônibus para o centro?
Bilheteiro: Daqui a quinze minutos.
Translation: Passenger: When does the next bus to downtown leave? Ticket agent: In fifteen minutes.

Making plans:

Amiga 1: Aonde vamos no sábado?
Amiga 2: Vamos ao parque às dez.
Translation: Friend 1: Where are we going on Saturday? Friend 2: We are going to the park at ten.

Beginner tips for pronunciation and word order

Pronunciation notes:

O que — pronounce as oh keh; the o is pronounced and the que sounds like keh.

Qual — sounds like kwah-o; the l can be light or sometimes like w in fast speech.

Onde — pronounce as ON-jee; stress on the first syllable and soft d sound.

Aonde — pronounce ah-ON-jee; similar to onde but with a leading a for movement.

Quando — pronounce KWAHN-doo; nasal sound on the a is subtle for beginners.

Word order tips:

Portuguese frequently allows the subject after the verb in questions, similar to inversion in English, but you can also keep the English word order for clarity. For example, O que você faz? and Você faz o que? are both understood, but the first is more natural.

Use aonde only with verbs that express motion. Using onde instead of aonde in a movement question is common in informal speech but learning the difference helps clarity.

Common beginner mistakes and how to avoid them

Confusing o que and qual

O que asks for a definition or general information. Qual asks for a choice among options. Incorrect: Qual é isso? Better: O que é isso? Incorrect: O que é seu número? Better: Qual é o seu número?

Using onde instead of aonde for movement

Beginner speakers often say Onde você vai? This is widely understood, but aonde você vai? is more grammatical when implying movement toward a destination. Try to use aonde with ir, viajar, voltar, etc.

Omitting prepositions

Portuguese uses prepositions more often than English in location and time. For example, say na escola (at the school), em casa (at home), às 8 horas (at 8 o’clock). Practice common preposition pairs so your questions sound natural.

Practice exercises for learners

Fill-in-the-blank practice: replace the English question word with the correct Portuguese word.

_____ é isso? (What)

_____ fica o mercado? (Where)

_____ é a reunião? (When)

Rewrite these English questions in Brazilian Portuguese as simple practice:

What time does the store close?

Where can I buy a SIM card?

When is the concert?

Answers (check after attempting):

Que horas a loja fecha?

Onde posso comprar um chip de celular?
Alternative: Onde eu posso comprar um chip?

Quando é o show? or Quando começa o show?

Quick reference cheat sheet

O que — general what

Que — used in que horas and some expressions

Qual — which/which one/what (choice)

Onde — where (location)

Aonde — where to (movement)

Quando — when

Tips for real-life use

Listen for question words in audio and song to get used to natural speed. When in doubt, use simple forms like Onde fica X or Quando é X; these will be understood in most situations. Carry a small phrase list with key questions or save them on your phone for quick reference.

Conclusion

Mastering o que, qual, onde, aonde, and quando gives you the tools to ask essential questions in Brazilian Portuguese. Use the sample phrases, avoid common mistakes, and practice the simple structures shown here. With these question words you can ask about menus, directions, schedules, and daily plans with confidence.