Portuguese · Everyday Verbs
"to ask" in Portuguese: perguntar
perguntar
Note: to ask for: pedir
To ask (a question) in Portuguese is perguntar. Eu pergunto and Posso perguntar? are everyday. Pedir means to ask for something; it does not replace perguntar for questions.
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How to pronounce perguntar
Say it
pehr-goon-TAHR / pehr-GOON-too
/peʁ.ɡun.ˈtaʁ/
pehr-goon-TAHR. Eu pergunto is pehr-GOON-too.
"to ask" in Portuguese: quick reference
| Portuguese | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| perguntar | to ask (a question) Infinitive. | Infinitive. |
| eu pergunto | I ask Present first person. | Present first person. |
| você pergunta | you ask Present with você. | Present with você. |
| Posso perguntar? | May I ask? Polite opener. | Polite opener. |
| fazer uma pergunta | to ask a question Noun-based alternative. | Noun-based alternative. |
How to use perguntar in real life
- 1Classroom
Posso perguntar uma dúvida rápida?
May I ask a quick question?
Posso perguntar? is polite.
- 2Street help
Vou perguntar pro segurança o caminho.
I'm going to ask the security guard the way.
Perguntar pro = ask (to).
- 3Curiosity
Eu pergunto só por curiosidade.
I ask just out of curiosity.
Pergunto is present first person.
Mistakes English speakers make with perguntar
Incorrect: Eu pedir uma pergunta.
Correct: Eu faço / pergunto uma pergunta.
Questions use perguntar; pedir is ask for.
Incorrect: Você perguntar agora?
Correct: Você pergunta agora?
Conjugate: você pergunta.
Good to know
Brazilians often soften questions with Posso perguntar? or Só uma pergunta. Pedir is for requests (pedir um café). Mixing them is a classic learner slip. In shops, Pergunta pro atendente is normal spoken advice.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Tourist information desk
ChatPal
Quer que eu pergunte o horário?
Want me to ask the schedule?
You
Pergunta, por favor. Eu pergunto o preço.
Ask, please. I'll ask the price.
ChatPal
Pronto. Eles responderam.
Done. They answered.
You
Obrigada. Vou perguntar também sobre o mapa.
Thanks. I'll also ask about the map.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"to ask" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "to ask" in Portuguese
Perguntar vs pedir?
Perguntar = ask a question; pedir = ask for / request.
May I ask?
Posso perguntar?
I ask?
Eu pergunto.
Ask someone?
Perguntar pra / para alguém.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
- Step 1: See it in context
- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
