Whether you’re traveling to a Portuguese-speaking country or simply want to engage in a conversation with a Portuguese speaker, knowing how to ask if someone is single can be quite useful. This article will guide you through the formal and informal ways to ask “Are you single?” in Portuguese, as well as provide tips, examples, and regional variations when necessary. Let’s get started!
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Formal Ways to Ask “Are You Single?”
When you want to ask if someone is single in a formal way, you may use the following phrases:
1. Você é solteiro(a)?
This is the most common way to ask if someone is single in Portuguese. The phrase “Você é solteiro(a)?” translates directly to “Are you single?” Here, “você” is the formal pronoun for “you,” and “solteiro” is the word for “single” when referring to a male. If you’re asking a female, you should use “solteira” instead. This phrase can be used in any Portuguese-speaking country.
Example: Imagine you’re at a business conference in Lisbon, Portugal, and want to strike up a conversation with a potential business partner. You could ask them, “Você é solteiro(a)?”, to find out their relationship status, while maintaining a formal tone.
2. O senhor/a senhora está solteiro(a)?
If you’re being respectful to someone older or in a higher position, it’s common to use “o senhor” (for males) or “a senhora” (for females) instead of “você.” This way of asking “Are you single?” adds a polite touch to the question.
Example: You’re attending a formal event in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and would like to get to know one of the attendees. You may ask them, “O senhor/a senhora está solteiro(a)?”, conveying respect while inquiring about their relationship status.
Informal Ways to Ask “Are You Single?”
When you’re having a more casual conversation or talking with someone of a similar age or social status, you can use these informal phrases:
1. Você está namorando?
Used primarily in Brazil, this question translates to “Are you dating?” or “Are you seeing someone?” It’s a way of asking if the person has a romantic partner without explicitly using the word “single.”
Example: You’re attending a party in São Paulo, Brazil, and strike up a conversation with someone new. To find out if they are in a relationship, you casually ask, “Você está namorando?”
2. Tens namorado(a)?
In Portugal, it’s common to use “tens” instead of “você” when talking to someone informally. This phrase translates to “Do you have a boyfriend/girlfriend?” and is a more casual way of asking if someone is single.
Example: You’re on vacation in Lisbon, Portugal, and meet someone interesting at a cafe. To inquire about their relationship status, you can ask, “Tens namorado(a)?”
Regional Variations
While the phrases mentioned above are widely understood in most Portuguese-speaking countries, some regional variations do exist:
1. Estás solteiro(a)?
In some regions of Portugal, it’s common to use “estás” instead of “tens” when asking informally if someone is single. The meaning remains the same, as it translates to “Are you single?”
2. Você está solteiro(a)?
In Brazil, especially in more formal contexts or with older individuals, it’s also acceptable to use the phrase “Você está solteiro(a)?” The additional word “está” emphasizes the person’s current status.
Summing It Up
Now you know how to ask “Are you single?” in Portuguese, both formally and informally. Remember to adapt your wording based on the situation and the person you’re talking to. Here are the formal phrases:
- Você é solteiro(a)?
- O senhor/a senhora está solteiro(a)?
And here are the informal phrases:
- Você está namorando?
- Tens namorado(a)?
Keep in mind that these phrases may help you start a conversation, but they should always be followed by respectful and considerate follow-up questions. It’s essential to gauge the other person’s comfort level and maintain a friendly atmosphere.
