Introduction
Learning how to ask what something is called is essential for everyday interactions in Brazil. This article teaches you practical ways to say and understand What is this called? in Brazilian Portuguese, with natural examples, usage notes, and short dialogues to build confidence in real situations.
- Basic phrase: asking What is this called?
- Nuances and when to use each phrase
- Examples in everyday situations
- Politeness and adding context
- Descriptive follow-ups: Asking for more information
- Regional variations and common colloquialisms
- Common mistakes to avoid
- Expanding vocabulary from the question What is this called?
- Sample mini-dialogues for practice
- Useful phrases to combine with the question
- Conclusion
Basic phrase: asking What is this called?
The most direct way to ask What is this called? in Brazilian Portuguese is to use Como é chamado isto or more commonly Como isso se chama. Both are understandable, but native speakers often prefer a conversational order that sounds more natural.
Common everyday alternatives include O que é isto and Como se chama, which vary slightly in formality and emphasis. Notice differences in pronouns and word order to match tone and context.
Key phrases and their literal meanings
Como isso se chama — Literally How does this call itself; commonly How is this called or What is this called.
Como se chama — More general, How is it called; useful when pointing at an object and removing the demonstrative.
O que é isto — Literally What is this; a straightforward and very common way to ask about an object.
O que é isso — Slightly more colloquial variant replacing isto with isso; very frequent in spoken Brazilian Portuguese.
Nuances and when to use each phrase
O que é isto and O que é isso are interchangeable in many contexts, but there is a subtle distinction. Use isto when the object is very close to the speaker, and isso when it is close to the listener or less proximal. In practice, Brazilians often use isso for both situations, so do not worry too much as a beginner.
If you want to be polite or formal, especially in customer service or with older people, use Como se chama or add a polite phrase like Com licença before your question. For informal conversations with friends or children, O que é isso is perfectly natural.
Formal vs informal forms
Formal: Como se chama or Como isso se chama. These are suitable in stores, classrooms, or when speaking to someone you do not know well.
Informal: O que é isso or O que é isto. Use these with friends, family, and in casual situations.
Examples in everyday situations
Below are realistic examples where you might ask What is this called? Use the first-person perspective to practice both asking and responding.
At a market
Eu: O que é isso?
Vendedor: Isso é carambola. Quer provar?
In a classroom
Aluno: Como se chama este objeto?
Professor: Isso se chama lupa.
On public transport
Turista: Desculpa, como isso se chama?
Passageiro: Isso é uma roleta. Você passa o cartão aqui.
Short dialogues with vocabulary focus
Dialogues help you see how natives shorten questions and use gestures.
Scene: At a cafe
Cliente: O que é isso no cardápio?
Garçom: É brigadeiro, um doce tradicional brasileiro.
Scene: Visiting a friend
Você: Como se chama essa planta?
Amigo: Essa é uma samambaia.
Politeness and adding context
To make your question more polite, add Com licença at the beginning. This is useful in shops, museums, or when interrupting someone.
Com licença, o que é isso? feels respectful and still natural. You can also add Por favor at the end for extra politeness: O que é isso, por favor?
Asking about names of people or animals
When asking for someone’s name, shift the verb slightly: Como você se chama? is the normal way to ask What’s your name? Note the different pronoun usage. For animals, you might ask Qual é o nome do cachorro? or simply Como ele se chama? if you point to a specific pet.
Descriptive follow-ups: Asking for more information
After asking What is this called? you may want additional details. Use questions like
Como funciona isso? — How does this work?
Onde se usa isso? — Where is this used?
De que material é isso? — What material is this made of?
These follow-ups sound natural after the initial question and help you learn more vocabulary related to objects.
Pronunciation tips
Brazilian Portuguese pronunciation emphasizes vowel sounds and nasalization. For Como, pronounce the o’s like the o in go, but a bit shorter. For isso, the double s is the same s sound as in see. For isso and isto, keep the i as in machine. For se chama, the ch is pronounced like sh in shoe, so say se shama.
Regional variations and common colloquialisms
In informal speech, Brazilians sometimes shorten questions further or use slang. You may hear E isso? or Isso é que? in very colloquial contexts. In some regions, people might say Como é que se chama? which adds a small filler é que but is natural and conversational.
Listen for reductions in rapid speech. Native speakers often blend words: Como ‘isso’ becomes Comoisso in casual talk. Focus on comprehension before trying to mimic slang.
Using demonstratives correctly
Portuguese has three main demonstratives: isto, isso, and aquilo. Use isto for something close to the speaker, isso for something near the listener or already mentioned, and aquilo for something far from both. In practice, isso is widely used and beginners can rely on it safely.
Common mistakes to avoid
Mixing pronouns: Avoid combining informal pronouns with overly formal verb forms. Stick to either informal or formal consistently. For example, do not say Como se chama você; instead use Como você se chama or Como se chama.
Literal translation: English speakers sometimes translate word-for-word and say Como é chamado este? which is understandable but sounds odd. Prefer conversational word order like Como isso se chama.
Grammar note: reflexive structure
The verb chamar can appear reflexively in questions about names: Como se chama. This structure highlights how names are referred to without directly specifying the subject. It is common and grammatically correct in Brazilian Portuguese.
Expanding vocabulary from the question What is this called?
Once you ask the question, use the response to build vocabulary. If someone answers Isso é um abacaxi, note gender, singular/plural, and related words: abacaxi (masculine fruit), fatia (slice), casca (peel).
Ask simple follow-ups to get forms and articles: É um ou uma? is it masculine or feminine? Isso me helps remember gender and article usage in everyday speech.
Practical tips for practicing
Carry a small notebook or use your phone to record new words you learn after asking these questions. In stores or markets, try to ask O que é isso? and repeat the answer aloud. Use gestures and point to help comprehension if needed. Repetition in real contexts will make these phrases feel natural quickly.
Sample mini-dialogues for practice
Use these short dialogues to practice listening and speaking. They reflect natural exchanges you will encounter.
Dialogue 1: At a bookstore
Cliente: Com licença, como isso se chama?
Vendedor: Isso é um marcador de páginas, você quer um?
Dialogue 2: At a friend’s house
Você: O que é isso na geladeira?
Amiga: Isso é goiabada, é doce. Quer provar?
Dialogue 3: At a museum
Visitante: Como se chama essa obra?
Guia: Essa pintura se chama O Beijo.
Useful phrases to combine with the question
Add these phrases to sound more natural and to get better answers:
Pode me dizer? — Can you tell me?
Você sabe o nome disso? — Do you know the name of this?
Qual é o nome disso? — What is the name of this?
These variations are polite and helpful when the simple question does not get enough detail.
Conclusion
Asking What is this called? in Brazilian Portuguese is simple but powerful for building your vocabulary and confidence. Start with O que é isso or Como isso se chama, adjust formality with Com licença or por favor, and use follow-up questions to gain more details. Practice in real settings like markets, cafes, and museums to internalize pronunciation and natural usage.
