❓🚶‍♂️➡️🇵🇹

How to Say ‘And why did you come to Portugal?’ in Portuguese

E porque é que veio para Portugal?

ee POOR-kee eh kuh VAY-oo PAH-rah poor-too-GAHL

[ee POOR-kee eh kuh VAY-oo PAH-rah poor-too-GAHL]

🇵🇹 In Portugal: Foreign candidates are often asked this out of genuine curiosity, not suspicion. A warm answer about liking the country goes down well.

Phrase Breakdown

E porque é que veio

ee POOR-kee eh kuh VAY-oo

And why did you come

Keep 'porque é que' blended together, then add 'veio' (you came).

Example

E porque é que veio sozinho?

And why did you come alone?

Words in this phrase

[ee]

and

A simple connector joining two qualities or ideas.

Example

Procuro um ambiente aberto e humano.

I am looking for an open and human environment.

porque

[POOR-kee]

why

In 'porque é que', it introduces a 'why' question.

Example

Porque é que chegou tarde?

Why did you arrive late?

[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.

veio

[VAY-oo]

you came (formal)

Past tense of 'vir' (to come) for 'você' or he/she.

Example

Ela veio de comboio.

She came by train.

para Portugal?

PAH-rah poor-too-GAHL

to Portugal?

'Para' shows destination. Portuguese speakers often shorten it to 'pra'. Portugal sounds like 'pur-too-GAL'.

Example

Vou para Portugal em maio.

I'm going to Portugal in May.

Words in this phrase

para

[PAH-rah]

Indicates direction or movement toward a place.

Example

Ele vai para casa.

He is going home.

Portugal

[poor-too-GAHL]

Portugal

The country; also refers to its national team.

Example

Portugal joga hoje.

Portugal plays today.

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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