How to Say "I Want a Beer" in Portuguese

eu quero uma cerveja

In Portuguese, "I want a beer" is expressed as eu quero uma cerveja.

This phrase is a direct request used when you wish to purchase or consume a beer. In many Portuguese-speaking contexts, it is common and acceptable to simply say uma cerveja if the context of ordering or wanting something is already established.

What does it mean word for word?

The phrase is composed of eu (I), quero (want), uma (a/one) and cerveja (beer).

Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?

Using the imperfect indicative eu queria uma cerveja instead of the present quero makes the request sound more polite and less demanding when ordering in a restaurant or bar. For a formal approach, you might use Eu gostaria de tomar uma cerveja, por favor (I would like to have a beer, please) or Será que poderia me trazer uma cerveja? (Could you bring me a beer, please?). For informal situations, you can say Posso tomar uma cerveja? (Can I have a beer?).

How does it change in a sentence?

In the phrase eu quero uma cerveja, the verb querer (to want) is conjugated in the first-person singular present tense as quero.

What mistakes should you avoid?

Because cerveja is a feminine noun, you must use the feminine article uma. English speakers often mistakenly use the masculine article um, but you should say uma cerveja to be correct.

Did you know?

While eu quero is grammatically correct, in some regions of Brazil, using me vê uma cerveja literally 'see me a beer' is a common idiomatic way to order.
In Brazil, the word chopp is used for draught beer, which comes from the English word 'chop' via the German 'Schoppen'.
The word eu for 'I' is a linguistic doublet of the Latin word ego and the English word 'ego'.

Examples in context

Eu quero uma cerveja.
I want a beer.
This sentence is useful for practicing the phrase eu quero uma cerveja.
Tatoeba #6054120 by bill, translation #1935359 by Spamster
Eu quero uma cerveja gelada.
I want a cold beer.

Example conversation

Lucas and Camila are ordering drinks at a bar.

Lucas

Garçom, eu quero uma cerveja, por favor.
Waiter, I want a beer, please.
Camila

Com certeza, Lucas. E para você, Camila?
Of course, Lucas. And for you, Camila?
Lucas

Eu também quero uma cerveja.
I want a beer too.
Camila

Perfeito, já trago as duas!
Perfect, I'll bring both right away!

Sources

Word origins: Wiktionary entries cerveja, eu, uma, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.

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How to Say “I Want a Beer” in Portuguese