o que
everyday, Brazil
In Brazil "what" is o que. When you did not hear someone, say Como? politely or the casual Hã?, meaning "what?" or "sorry?"
Meaning: question word for things (pronoun)
Ways to say it
| Portuguese | Note |
|---|---|
| o que | everyday, Brazil |
| Como? | polite |
| Hã? | casual |
O que você quer? means "What do you want?" In speech o que is often shortened and sounds like "ooke".
Which one should you use?
A short O quê? with a circumflex is used alone at the end of a sentence or as a stand-alone question.
Did you know?
- O quê? with the circumflex and o que without it are both correct, and the accent marks the stressed form.
Examples in context
- O que você disse?What did you say?
- Como? Não ouvi.Sorry? I did not hear.
- Você quer o quê?You want what?
Example conversation
Beatriz speaks with her friend Caio in a noisy bar in Recife.
- BeatrizO que você vai beber?What are you going to drink?
- CaioComo? Está muito alto.Sorry? It is very loud.
- BeatrizO que você quer beber?What do you want to drink?
