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How to Say ‘I don't know what to choose’ in Portuguese

Não sei o que escolher

NOWN say oh kuh esh-koo-LYEHR

[NOWN say oh kuh esh-koo-LYEHR]

💬 Usage Tip: o que plus a verb in its basic "to" form gives "what to do". Swap the verb: Não sei o que beber "I don't know what to drink".

Phrase Breakdown

Não sei

NOWN say

I don't know

'Não' has a nasal 'ow' sound and 'sei' sounds like 'say'. This is a very common everyday phrase.

Example

Não sei onde fica.

I don't know where it is.

Words in this phrase

Não

[NOWN]

not

Used to negate the meaning of a word or group of words.

Example

Não quero comer agora.

I don't want to eat now.

sei

[say]

know

To be aware of through observation or information.

Example

Eu sei a resposta.

I know the answer.

o que escolher

oh kuh esh-koo-LYEHR

what to choose

'O que' means 'what' and sounds like 'oo kuh'. In 'escolher', the 'e' at the start is barely heard and 's' sounds like 'sh': 'shkoo-LYEHR'.

Example

Não sei o que vestir.

I don't know what to wear.

Words in this phrase

[oh]

what

Used to refer to a thing or things previously mentioned or easily identified.

Example

O que é isso?

What is this?

que

[kuh]

what

Together with 'o', forms 'o que' meaning 'what'.

Example

Não sei o que fazer.

I don't know what to do.

escolher

[esh-koo-LYEHR]

to choose

Verb meaning to pick or select.

Example

É difícil escolher um prato.

It's hard to choose a dish.

Guides for Portuguese learners

The Portuguese You Actually Need in Your First Month in PortugalThe European Portuguese phrases for your first weeks in Portugal: paperwork, renting a flat, the bank, the health centre, cafés, trains and your new neighbours.

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