Introduction
Learning how to ask questions is essential for beginners in Brazilian Portuguese. This article teaches how to use the verb Perguntar in practical beginner questions, with simple vocabulary, example sentences, common mistakes, and tips to feel confident in everyday conversations.
- What does perguntar mean?
- Simple sentence structure with perguntar
- Common question words to use with perguntar
- Practical beginner scenarios
- Polite ways to ask with perguntar
- Yes/no questions and perguntar se
- Using perguntar in different tenses
- Common beginner mistakes and how to avoid them
- Short dialogues for practice
- Useful vocabulary and phrases to remember
- Practice tips for quick improvement
- Conclusion
What does perguntar mean?
Perguntar means to ask. It is used when you want to request information, clarification, or permission. In Brazilian Portuguese, this verb is very common in spoken and written situations.
Basic forms to learn first: perguntar (infinitive), pergunto (eu present), pergunta (ele/ela present), perguntamos (nós present), perguntei (eu past), perguntando (gerund).
Simple sentence structure with perguntar
Beginners should start with two simple patterns: perguntar + direct question and perguntar + se + indirect question. These patterns cover most everyday uses.
Direct question with perguntar
Use perguntar followed by the question phrase directly. This is common in spoken Brazilian Portuguese.
Example: Perguntar + question word + phrase
Eu quero perguntar uma coisa.
Portuguese example: Eu quero perguntar uma coisa.
Translation: I want to ask something.
Indirect question with perguntar se
Use perguntar se when reporting or asking whether something is true (yes/no). This is like saying ask if in English.
Portuguese example: Você pode perguntar se a loja abre hoje?
Translation: Can you ask if the store opens today?
Common question words to use with perguntar
Learn these question words first; combine them with Perguntar.
o que — what
quem — who
onde — where
quando — when
por que — why
como — how
quanto / quanta / quantos / quantas — how much / how many
Examples using question words
Portuguese example: Eu quero perguntar onde fica o banco.
Translation: I want to ask where the bank is.
Portuguese example: Posso perguntar quem é responsável?
Translation: May I ask who is responsible?
Portuguese example: Ele vai perguntar quando começa a aula.
Translation: He will ask when the class starts.
Practical beginner scenarios
These scenarios are realistic and focused on everyday situations a beginner might face in Brazil.
At a store
Portuguese example: Com licença, posso perguntar o preço deste produto?
Translation: Excuse me, can I ask the price of this product?
Portuguese example: Eu quero perguntar se aceitam cartão.
Translation: I want to ask if they accept cards.
Asking for directions
Portuguese example: Desculpe, posso perguntar onde fica a estação de metrô?
Translation: Excuse me, can I ask where the subway station is?
Portuguese example: Você pode perguntar se este ônibus vai para o centro?
Translation: Can you ask if this bus goes to downtown?
At a restaurant
Portuguese example: Posso perguntar o que tem no prato do dia?
Translation: Can I ask what is in the daily special?
Portuguese example: Vou perguntar se tem opção vegetariana.
Translation: I will ask if there is a vegetarian option.
Polite ways to ask with perguntar
Brazilians appreciate polite language, especially when asking strangers for help. Use these helpful softeners.
Com licença — Excuse me
Por favor — Please
Você pode — Can you
Gostaria de — I would like to
Polite examples
Portuguese example: Com licença, você pode perguntar se ainda há vagas?
Translation: Excuse me, can you ask if there are still spots available?
Portuguese example: Por favor, posso perguntar a que horas fecha?
Translation: Please, may I ask what time it closes?
Yes/no questions and perguntar se
When you want a yes or no answer in reported questions, use perguntar se. This is common when conveying or asking about a fact.
Portuguese example: Eu perguntei se ele vai vir amanhã.
Translation: I asked if he will come tomorrow.
Portuguese example: Você perguntou se precisa de ajuda?
Translation: Did you ask if they need help?
Using perguntar in different tenses
Beginners should learn present, past simple, and future forms for everyday use.
Present: eu pergunto, você pergunta, nós perguntamos
Past (pretérito perfeito): eu perguntei, você perguntou, nós perguntamos
Future: eu perguntarei, você perguntará, nós perguntaremos
Examples across tenses
Portuguese example: Eu pergunto ao professor.
Translation: I ask the teacher.
Portuguese example: Ontem eu perguntei sobre os horários.
Translation: Yesterday I asked about the schedules.
Portuguese example: Amanhã eu perguntarei se tem desconto.
Translation: Tomorrow I will ask if there is a discount.
Common beginner mistakes and how to avoid them
Beginners often make a few predictable errors when using Perguntar. Here are the most frequent, with fixes.
1. Forgetting se for yes/no reported questions
Mistake: Eu perguntei o horário ele vai chegar.
Fix: Use perguntar se: Eu perguntei se o horário é às 10h.
2. Using perguntar instead of perguntar a alguém
Mistake: Perguntei o nome de Maria. This sounds like you asked the name, but missing the person you asked.
Fix: Perguntei a Maria o nome dela. Or use perguntar para: Perguntei para Maria o nome dela.
3. Wrong verb form for the subject
Mistake: Eu perguntar para você. Verb must agree with subject: Eu pergunto para você.
Short dialogues for practice
Use these short, realistic dialogues to practice asking and responding with Perguntar.
Dialogue 1
Com licença, posso perguntar onde é o banheiro?
Fica ali, à direita.
Translation: Excuse me, may I ask where the bathroom is? / It’s over there, on the right.
Dialogue 2
Eu perguntei se tinha desconto para estudantes.
Recebi a resposta: Sim, tem 10 por cento.
Translation: I asked if there was a student discount. / I got the answer: Yes, there is 10 percent.
Dialogue 3
Você pode perguntar ao garçom o que tem sem glúten?
Claro, eu perguntarei agora.
Translation: Can you ask the waiter what is gluten-free? / Sure, I will ask now.
Useful vocabulary and phrases to remember
Com licença — Excuse me
Posso — May I / Can I
Você pode — Can you
Por favor — Please
Quero perguntar — I want to ask
Perguntei — I asked
Perguntarei — I will ask
Practice tips for quick improvement
Focus on short, natural questions you will actually use. Memorize a few polite openings and the key question words. Record simple dialogues and repeat them aloud to build confidence.
Tip: When you hear new questions in Brazilian Portuguese media, note how native speakers use perguntar and copy their phrasing.
Tip: Practice replacing the content of sample sentences (place, name, time) to create many variations quickly.
Conclusion
Mastering Perguntar gives you the power to get information, navigate situations, and communicate politely in Brazilian Portuguese. With simple patterns, key question words, realistic examples, and common mistakes explained, beginners can start asking questions confidently right away.
