Introduction
This guide teaches English-speaking beginners how to use the verbs Perguntar and Responder in Brazilian Portuguese. You will learn forms, common phrases, and practical examples for asking questions and giving answers in everyday situations like shops, travel, school, and chatting with friends.
- Why Perguntar and Responder matter
- Basic meanings and literal translations
- Conjugation at a glance for beginners
- Making simple questions with Perguntar
- Direct phrases to ask in everyday contexts
- How to respond with Responder
- Example dialogues: practical, beginner-level
- Common expressions using perguntar and responder
- Common beginner mistakes and how to avoid them
- Practice activities for beginners
- Mini quiz for self-check
- Extra tips for natural speech
- Conclusion
Why Perguntar and Responder matter
Asking and answering are the core of conversational interaction. Knowing how to use Perguntar and Responder helps you get information, clarify meaning, and participate in simple dialogues. These verbs appear in common expressions, classroom instructions, signs, and basic service interactions.
Basic meanings and literal translations
Perguntar = to ask (a question, for information).
Responder = to answer, to respond (give information back).
Think of Perguntar as the action of making a question and Responder as the action of giving the reply.
Conjugation at a glance for beginners
For most beginners, start with present indicative forms and the infinitive. These are used in everyday speech.
Perguntar (infinitive) — eu pergunto, você/ele/ela pergunta, nós perguntamos, vocês/eles/elas perguntam.
Responder (infinitive) — eu respondo, você/ele/ela responde, nós respondemos, vocês/eles/elas respondem.
Use você for the polite you in Brazil — it is the most common spoken form for learners.
Key beginner tips on conjugation
Remember that verbs ending in -ar (perguntar) are regular in present forms like eu pergunto and você pergunta. Verbs ending in -er (responder) are regular like eu respondo and você responde. Learn the você forms first for speaking with strangers and service staff.
Making simple questions with Perguntar
The easiest way to ask a question is to use a question word plus a present form. Common question words:
Quem — who
O que / Que — what
Onde — where
Quando — when
Por que — why
Como — how
Quanto / Quantos — how much / how many
Practical examples with Perguntar
Eu pergunto para aprender. — I ask to learn. (example showing purpose)
Você pode me perguntar algo? — Can you ask me something? (polite request)
Onde eu posso perguntar informações? — Where can I ask for information? (useful at a station)
Quanto custa? — Quanto você pergunta? is uncommon; instead ask Quanto custa? and the staff responde.
Direct phrases to ask in everyday contexts
When ordering, asking directions, or using services, keep phrases short and clear.
Onde fica o banheiro? — Where is the bathroom?
Você fala inglês? — Do you speak English?
Quanto custa este bilhete? — How much is this ticket?
Posso perguntar uma coisa? — May I ask something?
Polite forms and adding please
Use Por favor to be polite: Por favor, onde fica o metrô? — Please, where is the subway?
Adding Com licença before a question is useful when interrupting: Com licença, você pode me ajudar? — Excuse me, can you help me?
How to respond with Responder
Simple responses often use the verb Responder in the present or the short answer structures without the verb. Both are common.
Eu respondo agora. — I answer now.
Ele responde depois. — He answers later.
Typical short answers
Sim — Yes
Não — No
Talvez — Maybe
Claro — Of course
Depende — It depends
Use these short answers followed by a short phrase when needed: Sim, eu posso ajudar. — Yes, I can help.
Example dialogues: practical, beginner-level
At a café
Cliente: Com licença, você pode me dizer o cardápio?
Barista: Sim, eu respondo agora. O café custa R$6.
Cliente: Obrigado.
Asking for directions
Turista: Onde fica a estação?
Local: A estação fica duas quadras daqui. Eu respondi? — Sim, obrigado!
In class
Professor: Quem quer perguntar primeiro?
Aluno: Eu. Posso perguntar sobre a lição?
Professor: Respondo suas dúvidas agora.
Common expressions using perguntar and responder
Perguntar ao gerente — to ask the manager
Perguntar por alguém — to ask for someone
Responder ao e-mail — to reply to the email
Responder rápido — to respond quickly
Using perguntar and responder with prepositions
Perguntar para or Perguntar a are both used. In Brazil, pergunto para alguém is very common in speech.
Eu perguntei para o atendente. — I asked the clerk.
Responder a is used like responder a uma pergunta — to answer a question.
Eu respondi à pergunta do professor. — I answered the teacher’s question.
Common beginner mistakes and how to avoid them
Mixing prepositions: Students often mix para and a. Use para in spoken Brazilian Portuguese when speaking to someone: Eu perguntei para a vendedora. Use a with responder when mentioning the object: Respondi à pergunta.
Overusing Você vs Tu: In Brazil, você is the common informal polite you. Avoid using tu unless you are in a region that uses it. For beginners, learn conjugation with você.
Literal translations: Avoid word-for-word English structure that can sound odd. For example, do not say Eu pergunto se você quer? Instead say Você quer saber? or Posso perguntar se você quer?.
Practice activities for beginners
Activity 1: Ask and answer pairs. Make 10 question-answer pairs using Onde, O que, Quando, Como, Quanto. Example: Onde fica o banco? — Fica na rua principal.
Activity 2: Role-play short service interactions. One student is the customer and asks: Posso perguntar o preço? The other responds: Sim, este produto custa R$20.
Activity 3: Listening and repetition. Listen to short recordings of questions and answers. Repeat the full question and full response aloud, focusing on pronunciation of pergunta, pergunta, responde, respondo.
Vocabulary cheat sheet
Pergunta — question
Resposta — answer
Perguntar — to ask
Responder — to answer
Por favor — please
Com licença — excuse me
Quanto custa? — How much does it cost?
Onde fica? — Where is it located?
Mini quiz for self-check
Translate to Brazilian Portuguese: Can I ask a question? — Posso perguntar uma coisa?
Translate: He answers later. — Ele responde mais tarde.
Choose correct: I asked the clerk. — Eu perguntei para o atendente. (correct)
Choose correct: Answer the question. — Responda à pergunta. or Responda a pergunta. Both are acceptable in Brazilian usage; spoken language often drops the grave accent.
Extra tips for natural speech
Use short questions and polite markers. Brazilians often use Então and Tá to connect and confirm: Então, você perguntou? — So, did you ask? Tá, eu respondo. — Okay, I answer.
Listen to native speakers in simple contexts like tourist help desks, language classes, or apps that provide beginner dialogues. Pay attention to how they form questions and short answers using você and the present tense.
Conclusion
Mastering Perguntar and Responder gives beginner learners essential tools to interact in Brazilian Portuguese. Focus on the present tense, use polite phrases like Por favor and Com licença, and practice short real-life dialogues such as asking for directions, prices, or help. With focused practice on these forms, you will quickly gain confidence asking questions and giving answers in everyday situations.
