How to Say ‘What the hell?’ in Portuguese
Que raio?
kuh RYE-oo
[kuh RYE-oo]
🇵🇹 In Portugal: Milder than the more obscene options here, so people may use it in mixed company where [foda-se] would be too much. It still shows irritation or surprise.
Phrase Breakdown
Que
[kuh]
what
An interrogative meaning 'what'. In this expression it introduces a mild exclamation of confusion or annoyance.
Que raio estás tu a fazer aqui a esta hora?
What the hell are you doing here at this hour?
raio
[RYE-oo]
hell / devil / lightning
Literally 'ray' or 'lightning', but in 'que raio?' it works like a milder version of 'what the hell?'.
Que raio estás tu a fazer aqui a esta hora?
What the hell are you doing here at this hour?
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