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How to Say ‘What the hell?’ in Portuguese

Que caralho?

kee kah-RAH-lyoo

[kee kah-RAH-lyoo]

Phrase Breakdown

Que

[kee]

What

An interrogative used to ask for information about something.

Example

Na exposição, alguém exclamou: 'Que bom gosto você tem!'

At the exhibition, someone exclaimed: 'What good taste you have!'

caralho

[kah-RAH-lyoo]

fuck (as in 'what the fuck')

Very vulgar word for penis used as a strong intensifier in questions.

Example

Onde caralho estás?

Where the fuck are you?

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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