Which one should you use?
Você fala português? is a standard and informal way to ask the question. In contrast, if you wish to be more polite when addressing elders or strangers, you should use O senhor fala português? for a man or A senhora fala português? for a woman.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The phrase Tu falas português? is an informal way to ask this question in Portugal, Brazil and parts of Africa. In many regions of Portugal and parts of Brazil, the pronoun tu is used instead of você for the informal "you".
How does it change in a sentence?
In the phrase Você fala português?, the verb falar (to speak) is conjugated in the third-person singular as fala to agree with the subject você. When using the informal second-person pronoun tu, the verb must change to the form falas as seen in Tu falas português?
How do you pronounce it?
/voˈse ˈfa.lɐ poʁ.tuˈɡe(j)s/ (6 syllables). The stress is on the second syllable.
When do people say it?
If someone asks you this question, a common way to respond affirmatively is Sim, eu falo, meaning "Yes, I speak (it)". If you do not speak the language, you can say Não, eu não falo, which means "No, I don't speak (it)".
Did you know?
- While você is now a standard word for 'you', it underwent a long process of shortening from vossa mercee to vosmecê before reaching its current form.
- In many parts of the Portuguese-speaking world, the word você is so common that it is often dropped entirely in speech, as the verb conjugation alone clarifies who is being addressed.
- In Brazil, the word você has become so dominant that it has almost entirely pushed tu out of use in several regions.
Examples in context
- Com licença, você fala português?Excuse me, do you speak Portuguese?
- Desculpe, você fala português?Sorry, do you speak Portuguese?
Example conversation
Rodrigo meets a new colleague at the office.
- RodrigoOlá, você fala português?Hello, do you speak Portuguese?
- BeatrizSim, eu falo português.Yes, I speak Portuguese.
- RodrigoQue bom! Eu sou o Rodrigo.That's good! I am Rodrigo.
- BeatrizPrazer, eu sou a Beatriz.Nice to meet you, I am Beatriz.
