How to use “O que é?” in Portuguese beginner questions

Introduction

Learning how to ask basic questions in Brazilian Portuguese unlocks many real-life interactions. This article explains how to use O que é? to ask What is it? or What is this? in beginner-friendly situations, with clear examples, vocabulary, common mistakes, and practical tips for everyday use.

What does O que é? mean?

O que é? literally translates to What is it? or What is this? It is a short, very common question structure used to ask for definitions, identifications, or explanations. It works with nouns, objects, situations, and abstract ideas.

Use O que é? when you want a simple identification or definition, for example asking what an object is, what a word means, or what a service offers.

Basic grammar and pronunciation

Structure: O que é + noun or context. Often you can leave the noun out when pointing to something. Pronunciation tip: O sounds like the English o in open; que is pronounced keh; é is stressed and sounds like eh with an accent.

Formal vs informal: O que é? works in both friendly and neutral contexts. For more formal situations, you might add por favor or use other question forms, but the core remains the same.

Short vocabulary you will need

coisa — thing

objeto — object

palavra — word

comida — food

serviço — service

preço — price

Common situations and example phrases

Below are practical contexts where beginners will use O que é? followed by natural Brazilian Portuguese examples you can memorize and use. Each example includes a simple English explanation.

Asking about an object in a shop or market
Vendedor: O que é isso?
You: O que é isso?

Meaning: Use this when you point to an item and ask What is this?

Asking about a word in class or on a menu
Aluno: O que é essa palavra?
Meaning: What does this word mean? Use palavra for ‘word’ and essa when pointing to a nearby word on a page or menu.

Asking the definition of a concept
Aluno: O que é felicidade?
Meaning: What is happiness? Use for abstract ideas or definitions.

Asking what a dish is at a restaurant
Cliente: O que é feijoada?
Garçom: Feijoada é um prato brasileiro com feijão preto e carnes.
Meaning: Ask to identify a dish; the waiter replies with a short explanation.

Asking about a service sign or label
Pessoa: O que é esse serviço?
Meaning: What is this service? Useful at a service desk or information counter.

Short dialogues for practice

Dialogue 1 — At a market
Pessoa A: O que é isso?
Pessoa B: É um caju. É uma fruta brasileira.
English: A asks What is this? B answers It’s a cashew fruit. It’s a Brazilian fruit.

Dialogue 2 — In a language class
Aluno: O que é artigo?
Professor: Artigo é uma palavra que acompanha o substantivo, como o ou a.
English: Student asks What is article? Teacher gives a simple grammar definition.

Dialogue 3 — On a menu
Cliente: O que é moqueca?
Garçom: Moqueca é um cozido de peixe com leite de coco e dendê.
English: Customer asks What is moqueca? Waiter explains it’s a fish stew with coconut milk and palm oil.

Extensions and variations

You can change the question slightly depending on specificity or formality.

O que é isso? — What is this? (pointing to something close)

O que é aquilo? — What is that? (pointing to something farther away)

O que significa? — What does it mean? (used for words or phrases)

O que é que é? — A common spoken variant that emphasizes the question; informal and conversational

Using O que é? with names and labels

If you see a label or sign you do not understand, ask O que é isso? or O que significa isto? Example: Você vê uma placa com a palavra atendimento. Pergunte: O que significa atendimento?

Tip: Many signs in Brazil are short. Learning to ask quick identification questions helps when reading menus, schedules, and public signs.

Beginner tips for remembering and using O que é?

1. Practice with objects around you: point and ask O que é isso? for five items at home every day.

2. Pair the question with simple answers: Use É um/uma + noun. Example: É uma caneta. É um livro.

3. Use por favor to be polite: O que é isso, por favor?

4. Listen to responses to learn gender: Note whether the answer uses o (masculine) or a (feminine): É o livro, É a casa. This helps build noun gender awareness.

5. Record short dialogues and repeat aloud. Mimic natural speed once comfortable with pronunciation.

Common beginner mistakes and how to avoid them

Mistake 1: Using literal English word order when you should say O que é? not Que é o? Remember the fixed phrase is O que é?

Mistake 2: Forgetting the article in answers. Instead of saying É livro, say É um livro or É o livro depending on meaning. Beginners often omit articles, which can sound unnatural.

Mistake 3: Confusing que and qual. Use O que é? for definitions and identifications. Use qual for choices or selections, for example Qual é o seu nome? not O que é o seu nome?

Practical mini exercises

Exercise 1: Label five items at home in Brazilian Portuguese. Ask a friend or language partner O que é isso? and respond with É um/uma + label.

Exercise 2: On a menu, point to an unknown dish and ask O que é isso? Practice the waiter-customer dialogue you might hear in Brazil.

Exercise 3: When you read a short news headline with an unfamiliar word, ask O que significa essa palavra? Then look up a simple definition and practice using it in a sentence.

Helpful quick reference phrases

O que é isso? — What is this?

O que é aquilo? — What is that?

O que significa? — What does it mean?

É um/É uma — It is a (masculine/feminine)

Por favor, pode explicar? — Please, can you explain?

Additional realistic examples you might encounter

Sign in a clinic: Atendimento
You: O que significa atendimento?
Staff: Atendimento é o local para receber ajuda médica.

Message on a phone: Atualização disponível
You: O que é atualização?
Friend: Atualização é uma nova versão do aplicativo.

Label on a package: Contém glúten
You: O que é glúten?
Shop assistant: Glúten é uma proteína encontrada no trigo.

Conclusion

Mastering O que é? gives beginners a powerful, flexible tool for asking about objects, words, and concepts in Brazilian Portuguese. Use the short phrases and practical exercises in everyday contexts like markets, menus, signs, and conversations. With simple repetition and attention to articles and word gender, you will quickly feel confident identifying and defining things in real situations.