O que é isso?
/ˈɔ ki ˈɛ ˈi.su/word by word
The English phrase "what is that?" is translated into Portuguese as O que é isso?
The phrase O que é isso? is a variant used to ask "What is that?" in Portuguese.
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, the phrase translates as "The what is that?", where O que means "what" and isso means "that".
Which one should you use?
Use O que é aquilo? instead of O que é isso? if the object is far away from both the speaker and the listener. Use O que é isto? if the object is physically close to the speaker (e.g., in their hand) rather than O que é isso?
How does it change in a sentence?
In this phrase, the word isso is a demonstrative pronoun that functions as the subject or object of the question.
Did you know?
- When used as an interjection in Brazil, saying Que isso! with a falling intonation can be a way of telling someone to stop behaving inappropriately, similar to saying 'Cut it out!'
- Depending on the region, a Portuguese speaker might replace O que é isso? with Que coisa é essa? to emphasize that the object is strange or unpleasant.
- The word isso is a descendant of the Latin word ipsum, which means 'itself'.
Examples in context
- O que é aquilo que está na mesa?What is that on the table?
- Que é isso?What is that?
Example conversation
Juliana and Felipe are looking at a strange object in the living room.
- JulianaFelipe, o que é isso?Felipe, what is that?
- FelipeÉ um presente da minha tia.It is a gift from my aunt.
- JulianaNão entendi. O que é isso exatamente?I don't understand. What is that exactly?
- FelipeÉ um amuleto da sorte!It is a lucky charm!
