A1Lesson 4: Questions & Quantifiers
This essential A1 skill combines basic question words, modal verbs, and polite phrases to help learners navigate daily situations by asking for information and expressing what they need or want.
Information questions: Onde...?, Quanto...?, Que horas...?, Como...?
Expressing needs: Preciso de..., Queria..., Estou procurando...
Polite requests: Por favor, Com licença, Será que...?
Key verbs: ter (have), ficar (be located), custar (cost), funcionar (work)
Always add "por favor" for politeness
"Você pode me ajudar?" is your universal help phrase
Combine patterns: "Onde fica...?" "Quanto custa...?" "Tem...?"
These are survival phrases – without them, you can't find a bathroom, order food, ask for prices, or get help when lost! From "Onde fica o banheiro?" to "Preciso de um médico," these structures handle real emergencies and daily needs. Master these patterns and you can navigate any Brazilian city, shop in markets, and handle basic situations independently.
question word + verb OR preciso de/quero + noun/infinitive OR pode/poderia + infinitive
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| Pattern | Usage | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Onde fica...? | Location of places | Onde fica o banco? |
| Onde está...? | Location of people/things | Onde está meu celular? |
| Quanto custa...? | Prices | Quanto custa isso? |
| Que horas...? | Time | Que horas abre? |
| Como...? | How to/Method | Como chego lá? |
| Tem...? | Availability | Tem WiFi? |
"Quanto custa essa camisa?" (How much is this shirt?)
"Tem um maior?" (Do you have a bigger one?)
"Aceita cartão de crédito?" (Do you accept credit cards?)
"Onde fica o provador?" (Where is the fitting room?)
"Preciso de uma sacola" (I need a bag)
"Com licença, onde fica a estação?" (Excuse me, where is the station?)
"Como chego no centro?" (How do I get downtown?)
"Fica longe daqui?" (Is it far from here?)
"Você pode me mostrar no mapa?" (Can you show me on the map?)
Informal: "Quero água" (I want water)
Polite: "Queria água" (I'd like water)
Very polite: "Será que poderia me trazer água?" (Could you possibly bring me water?)
Avoid these without softeners:
❌ "Que horas são?" (too direct to strangers)
✅ "Com licença, que horas são?"
❌ "Onde fica o banheiro?"
✅ "Por favor, onde fica o banheiro?"
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