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How to Say ‘Why did they go down?’ in Portuguese

Porque é que desceram?

POOR-kuh eh kuh desh-SEH-rown

[POOR-kuh eh kuh desh-SEH-rown]

💬 Usage Tip: In Portugal, "why" in a question is usually porque é que, followed by normal word order. The plain answer is just porque "because".

Phrase Breakdown

Porque é que

POOR-kuh eh kuh

Why

'Porque é que' is the typical European Portuguese way to ask 'why'. It sounds like 'pur-kè-kè'.

Example

Porque é que estás triste?

Why are you sad?

Words in this phrase

Porque

[POOR-kuh]

why

In questions, 'porque' means 'why'; often followed by 'é que'.

Example

Porque é que chegaste 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.

desceram?

desh-SEH-rown

did they go down?

This is the past tense of 'descer' (to go down). The 'sc' sounds like 'sh': 'desh-SÉ-ram'.

Example

Os preços desceram.

Prices went down.

Words in this phrase

desceram

[desh-SEH-rown]

went down / fell

Past tense of 'descer' (to go down) for 'they'.

Example

Os custos desceram este ano.

Costs went down this year.

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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