você fala português
/voˈse ˈfa.lɐ poʁ.tuˈɡe(j)s/word by word
The English phrase "you speak portuguese" is translated into Portuguese as você fala português.
This phrase is used to either state or ask whether someone has the ability to speak the Portuguese language.
Which one should you use?
While você fala português is standard in much of Brazil, the form tu falas português is used in certain regions of Brazil and in Portugal to mean the same thing.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the South and Northeast regions of Brazil, the pronoun tu is more frequently used, such as in the phrase Tu falas português.
How does it change in a sentence?
To turn the statement Você fala português into a question, use the same word order but raise your intonation at the end of the sentence.
How do you pronounce it?
/voˈse ˈfa.lɐ poʁ.tuˈɡe(j)s/. The sentence has 6 syllables and the stress is on the 2nd syllable.
Did you know?
- The word você actually began as a very formal way to address someone, originally meaning 'your mercy'.
Examples in context
- Desde quando você fala português?Since when do you speak Portuguese?This sentence is useful for asking since when someone has been speaking Portuguese using você fala português.Tatoeba #11906717 by ajdavidl, translation #8301452 by Amastan
- Você fala português?Do you speak Portuguese?This sentence is useful for asking a question about whether someone speaks Portuguese using você fala português.Tatoeba #1146034 by tulio, translation #5871053 by mailohilohi
- Eu sei que você fala português.I know that you speak Portuguese.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Gabriel is surprised to learn about Beatriz's language skills during a coffee break.
- GabrielVocê fala português muito bem, Beatriz!You speak Portuguese very well, Beatriz!
- BeatrizObrigada, Gabriel. Eu estudo há dois anos.Thank you, Gabriel. I have been studying for two years.
- GabrielIsso é incrível!That is incredible!
- BeatrizÉ um pouco difícil, mas eu gosto.It is a bit difficult, but I like it.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (você, fala, português) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries fala, português, você, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
