Introduction
Learning how to ask what something is is one of the first and most useful skills in a new language. This article teaches beginners how to ask what is this in Brazilian Portuguese, explains common variations, provides practical vocabulary and examples, and highlights mistakes to avoid so you can confidently identify objects, read signs, and start simple conversations.
Basic question: What is this?
The simplest and most direct way to ask what something is in Brazilian Portuguese is O que é isto?
This phrase literally means what is this and is clear for beginners. Use it when you want the name or a brief explanation of an object in your hands or nearby.
Breakdown of the phrase
O is the masculine definite article the used here before que. Que means what. É is the third-person singular of the verb to be. Isto means this and refers to something close to the speaker.
Together the phrase maps directly to English so it is easy to remember and use in real situations.
Other common forms and when to use them
Portuguese offers small variations depending on formality, gender, and distance. Learn these common alternatives and context cues.
O que é isto? — Use for objects near you or when pointing to something you hold.
O que é isso? — Use for objects near the listener or slightly further from the speaker. This is extremely common in speech.
O que é aquilo? — Use for objects far from both speaker and listener. Common when pointing across a room or street.
Que é isso? — Colloquial and less formal; native speakers sometimes drop O at the beginning. Fine for casual contexts.
Examples in everyday contexts
At a market:
O que é isso? — The seller might answer with the product name and price.
Holding an unfamiliar device:
O que é isto? — A friend explains what the device does.
Pointing at a sign across the street:
O que é aquilo? — Someone may say it is a bus stop or a store.
Common vocabulary to follow the question
When someone answers O que é isto? they will often use basic nouns. Here are useful words you will hear and should recognize:
coisa — thing
objeto — object
celular — cellphone
carteira — wallet
chave — key
comida — food
bebida — drink
livro — book
roupa — clothing
Sample short answers you might hear
É um livro. — It is a book.
É uma chave. — It is a key.
É comida. — It is food.
É meu celular. — It is my cellphone.
É uma caneta. — It is a pen.
Politeness and adding please
To be polite, add por favor either at the end or the beginning of the question. Example:
O que é isso, por favor?
Por favor, o que é isto?
Both are polite and useful in shops, museums, or when asking strangers.
Asking for clarification: How to say more details
If you need more than the name, use these follow-ups:
O que é isso exatamente? — What is this exactly?
Para que serve isto? — What is this used for?
Como funciona isto? — How does this work?
These help when you want function or instructions rather than just the noun.
Pronunciation tips for beginners
Focus on clear sounds. O pronounces like o in open. Que sounds like kay but shorter. É is pronounced eh with stress. Isto, isso, and aquilo end with an o sound but differ in vowel sounds: isto has ee-start, isso more like ee-so, aquilo has a-kee-loo rhythm.
Listen to native speakers and repeat short phrases. Aim for clarity rather than perfect accent at first.
Common mistakes to avoid
Using isto, isso, and aquilo interchangeably can cause slight confusion about distance. Try to match the demonstrative to the object’s location.
Forgetting é when forming the question. O que isto? is incomplete; include é for correct grammar.
Translating word-for-word from English in longer phrases may produce awkward sentences. Use the simple forms above until you learn more grammar.
Practical mini-dialogues for practice
Shop scenario:
Cliente: O que é isso, por favor?
Vendedor: É mandioca, é uma raiz usada para cozinhar. — This models a short exchange where answer includes a brief explanation.
At a museum:
Turista: O que é isto?
Guia: É uma peça histórica do século XIX. — The guide adds context beyond the simple noun.
Among friends:
Amigo A: O que é aquilo ali?
Amigo B: Aquilo é um mapa do bairro. — Notice use of aquilo for distant objects.
Using the question on signs and menus
When reading a menu or label and you want to ask staff, point and say: O que é isso no prato? — What is this on the plate? This helps when ingredients are unclear.
On a product label in a store: Você pode me explicar o que é isto? — Can you explain what this is? Use for more detailed explanations, such as ingredients or function.
Quick practice exercises
Exercise 1: Look around you and pick three objects. For each, ask aloud: O que é isto? Then answer with É um [object].
Exercise 2: Go to a bilingual label, point to an item, and ask in a polite way: O que é isso, por favor? Practice both asking and listening for the reply.
Exercise 3: Record yourself saying O que é isto? and the answers. Compare with a native speaker audio to adjust pronunciation.
Extra beginner tips
Carry a small notebook to write new nouns you learn after asking O que é isto? Seeing the word later reinforces memory.
Use flashcards with an image on one side and the Portuguese word on the other to link object and vocabulary quickly.
When a native speaker gives a longer answer, listen for keywords like é um, é uma, which mark the noun that names the object.
Conclusion
Mastering how to ask O que é isto? and its variations O que é isso? and O que é aquilo? gives beginners a powerful tool for everyday Portuguese. With simple vocabulary, polite additions like por favor, and practice with short dialogues, you will quickly be able to identify objects, read signs, and ask for details in real Brazilian Portuguese contexts.
