quem é você?
/ˈkẽj̃ ˈɛ voˈse/word by word
The phrase "who are you?" in Portuguese is translated as quem é você?
quem é você? is a question used to ask for a person's identity.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of quem (who), é (is) and você (you), which literally translates to "who is you?"
Which one should you use?
While quem é você? is the standard way to ask this question in most of Brazil, you should use quem é o senhor? when speaking to a man or quem é a senhora? when speaking to a woman if you want to be formal.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈkẽj̃ ˈɛ voˈse/
Did you know?
- The Portuguese você and Spanish usted share the same origin, both evolving from a phrase meaning 'your mercy'.
- The transition from the long, respectful vossemecê to the shortened você mirrors how many languages evolve by eroding formal titles into everyday pronouns.
- In some Portuguese-speaking cultures, asking quem é você? can feel like a challenge to one's authority rather than a simple request for a name.
Examples in context
- Quem é você?Who are you?
- Desculpe, quem é você?Sorry, who are you?
- Eu não te conheço, quem é você?I don't know you, who are you?
Example conversation
Felipe answers the door to a stranger.
- FelipeOlá! Quem é você?Hello! Who are you?
- BeatrizEu sou a Beatriz, a nova vizinha.I am Beatriz, the new neighbor.
- FelipeAh, seja bem-vinda, Beatriz!Oh, welcome, Beatriz!
- BeatrizMuito obrigada, Felipe!Thank you very much, Felipe!
