Introduction
Learning how to ask what something means is one of the first practical skills for beginners in Brazilian Portuguese. This article teaches clear, useful phrases, vocabulary, and real-life examples so you can ask for meanings in conversations, on signs, in menus, or in class. Practice these short sentences and variations to build confidence fast.
Why knowing how to ask what something means matters
When you travel, study, or chat with Portuguese speakers, not understanding a word or phrase can stop the conversation. Being able to ask what something means keeps communication flowing and helps you learn vocabulary in context. It also shows politeness and eagerness to learn, which Brazilians usually appreciate.
Essential phrase to ask what something means
The most direct and common way to ask is O que isso significa?
Breakdown: O que = what, isso = this/that (neutral), significa = means. Use this when pointing to a word, phrase, sign, or when you hear an unfamiliar expression.
Other basic ways to ask the same question
O que quer dizer?
Literal: What does it want to say? Common and natural in conversation.
O que é isso?
Literal: What is this? More general; useful for objects or short labels.
Como é que se diz em português?
Literal: How do you say it in Portuguese? Good when you know a word in your language and want the Portuguese equivalent.
O que significa esta palavra?
Literal: What does this word mean? Use when referring explicitly to a single word.
Polite and casual variations
Você pode me explicar o que isso significa?
Polite, useful with teachers, clerks, or new acquaintances. Você pode = can you.
O que é que isso quer dizer?
Slightly more emphatic, still common in spoken Brazilian Portuguese.
Desculpe, o que significa?
Short and polite; good when interrupting someone or asking in a store or café.
Vocabulary that appears with meaning questions
Understanding a few related words helps when asking or following explanations.
palavra = word
expressão = expression
frase = sentence
termo = term
significado = meaning
tradução = translation
sinônimo = synonym
antônimo = antonym
Short realistic examples and contexts
On a menu: You see a dish called feijoada and want to know what it is. Ask: O que é isso?
Possible reply: Feijoada é um prato de feijão preto com carne.
In class: A teacher uses the verb namorar. Ask: O que essa palavra significa?
Reply: Namorar significa ter um relacionamento romântico.
On a sign: A sign reads proibido estacionar. You ask: O que isso quer dizer?
Reply: Significa que é proibido parar o carro ali.
On the phone: Someone uses the slang tipo. Ask: O que tipo quer dizer aqui?
Reply: Aqui tipo é usado como preenchimento, igual a ‘like’ em inglês.
Text message: A friend writes saudades. Ask: O que significa saudades?
Reply: Saudade é a sensação de falta de alguém ou de algo.
How to point to what you mean
When you cannot pronounce a word or you are looking at text, pointing and using isso or isto is useful.
Use isso for something near the listener or already mentioned. Example: O que isso significa?
Use isto for something near the speaker. Example: O que isto quer dizer?
Use aqui and ali for locations: O que significa aqui? or O que significa ali?
Asking for clarification about grammar or usage
If you want to know how to use a word, ask: Como eu uso essa palavra?
To ask for examples in sentences: Você pode me dar um exemplo?
To ask if a word is formal or informal: Isso é formal ou informal?
Pronunciation tips for beginners
Focus on rhythm and simple sounds. O que is pronounced roughly OH kee, and significa sounds like seen-gnee-FEE-kah in Brazilian Portuguese. Practice short phrases slowly at first, then speed up to natural tempo.
Pay attention to nasal vowels in words like palavra, saudades, and feijoada. When a vowel is followed by m or n at the end of a syllable, it often becomes nasal.
Common beginner mistakes and how to avoid them
Mistake: Mixing isso and este. Use isso for something near the listener and isto for something near the speaker. If unsure, isso is safe.
Mistake: Using literal English word order that sounds unnatural. Prefer compact phrases like O que significa? rather than longer literal translations.
Mistake: Forgetting polite markers. Adding desculpe or você pode makes interactions smoother: Desculpe, você pode me explicar?
Short practice drills
Find a menu item: Point and ask O que é isso? Then write down the reply and repeat the phrase aloud three times.
Listen to a short dialogue: Pause at an unfamiliar word and ask aloud O que essa palavra significa? Try to infer the meaning before checking.
Text exchange: Ask a Brazilian friend Como eu digo ‘library’ em português? Then practice the reply in a sentence.
Example mini-dialogues
At a bakery: Você: Desculpe, o que é isso?
Confeiteiro: É um pão de queijo, é feito com queijo e polvilho.
In class: Aluno: Professor, o que significa ‘conseguir’?
Professor: Conseguir quer dizer ser capaz de fazer algo, como ‘conseguir estudar’.
On the street: Você: O que significa ‘entrada’?
Passante: ‘Entrada’ é o lugar por onde se entra, ou também pode ser uma taxa de entrada.
Useful follow-up questions
To ask for a simpler explanation: Você pode explicar mais simples?
To ask for a synonym: Qual é um sinônimo?
To ask for a translation: Qual é a tradução em inglês?
To check understanding: Então significa que…? Use this to repeat the explanation in your own words.
Notes on register and tone
Brazilians are generally friendly; using a polite tone and simple phrases is more important than perfect grammar. For informal situations, you can use tu regionally in conversation, but for wide safety use você with most Brazilians.
Quick reference cheat sheet
O que isso significa?
O que quer dizer?
O que é isso?
O que significa esta palavra?
Você pode me explicar o que isso significa?
Como eu uso essa palavra?
Conclusion
Mastering a handful of questions to ask what something means will dramatically improve your confidence and learning in Brazilian Portuguese. Use the essential phrases, practice pronunciation, and apply the follow-up questions in real contexts like menus, signs, and conversations. With these tools you will quickly turn unknown words into new vocabulary.
