B1Lesson 7: Reported Speech & Register
Reported speech in Brazilian Portuguese transforms direct questions into indirect statements using verbs like perguntar/querer saber, and commands into requests with mandar/pedir, requiring adjustments to pronouns, verb forms, and sometimes tenses while navigating formal and informal register choices.
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Reported speech transforms someone's exact words into your narration. In Brazilian Portuguese, this is refreshingly straightforward compared to English – we usually keep the same verb tense and focus on adjusting pronouns and structure.
Transform a yes/no question into a statement introduced by "se" (if/whether):
Direct: "Você vai à festa?" (Are you going to the party?)
Reported: Ela perguntou se eu ia à festa. (She asked if I was going to the party.)
Notice:
Keep the question word but use statement word order:
| Question Type | Direct Speech | Reported Speech |
|---|---|---|
| What | "O que você quer?" | Ele perguntou o que eu queria |
