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How to Say ‘Excuse me, where did you buy it?’ in Portuguese

Desculpe, onde é que o comprou?

desh-KOOL-puh ON-jee eh kuh oo kohm-PROH

[desh-KOOL-puh ON-jee eh kuh oo kohm-PROH]

🇵🇹 In Portugal: Asking where something came from is a natural follow-up that makes a compliment sound sincere. People in Portugal will usually happily tell you.

Phrase Breakdown

Desculpe,

desh-KOOL-puh

Excuse me,

This is the polite way to get someone's attention. The first 'e' is almost silent: 'dsh-KOOL-p'.

Example

Desculpe, que horas são?

Excuse me, what time is it?

Words in this phrase

Desculpe

[desh-KOOL-puh]

sorry / excuse me

A polite way to apologize or get someone's attention.

Example

Desculpe, onde fica a estação?

Excuse me, where is the station?

onde é que

ON-jee eh kuh

where is it that

This is a natural spoken question pattern. Link the words smoothly: 'ON-dee eh kuh'.

Example

Onde é que fica a estação?

Where is the station?

Words in this phrase

onde

[ON-jee]

Where

Asking for a location.

Example

Onde posso encontrar a loja?

Where can I find the store?

[eh]

Form of the verb 'ser' used to identify or state something.

Example

É meu interesse conhecer melhor a empresa.

It is my interest to get to know the company better.

que

[kuh]

that

Often used in expressions like claro que sim to reinforce the statement.

Example

Acho que podemos colaborar bem.

I think that we can collaborate well.

o comprou?

oo kohm-PROH

you bought it?

'O' means 'it' and comes before the verb. 'Comprou' is stressed at the end: 'kom-PROH'.

Example

Onde é que o comprou?

Where did you buy it?

Words in this phrase

[oo]

Here a masculine object pronoun meaning 'it', referring to a masculine noun already mentioned.

Example

Gosto do livro, vou comprá-lo... eu o vi ontem.

I like the book, I'll buy it... I saw it yesterday.

comprou

[kohm-PROH]

bought (you)

Past tense of 'comprar' (to buy), for 'você' or he/she.

Example

Onde comprou esse relógio?

Where did you buy that watch?

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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