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How to Say ‘Excuse me, what is that called?’ in Portuguese

Desculpe, como se chama aquilo?

des-koo-lpe KOH-moo see SHAH-mah a-KEE-loo

[des-koo-lpe KOH-moo see SHAH-mah a-KEE-loo]

🇵🇹 In Portugal: Desculpe is the polite way to open a question to a stranger in a crowd. People at a procession are usually happy to explain what's passing.

Phrase Breakdown

Desculpe,

des-koo-lpe

Excuse me,

This is the polite formal way to get attention. Say 'dsh-KOOLP', almost dropping the first 'e'.

Example

Desculpe, tem horas?

Excuse me, do you have the time?

Words in this phrase

Desculpe

[des-koo-lpe]

sorry

A polite expression used to forgive or ask for forgiveness.

Example

Eu estou desculpado.

I am forgiven.

como se chama

KOH-moo see SHAH-mah

what is it called

Say 'KOH-moo suh SHUH-muh'. It is also used for people: 'Como se chama?' means 'What's your name?'

Example

Como se chama a rua?

What is the street called?

Words in this phrase

como

[KOH-moo]

how

Question word asking about manner or state.

Example

Como estás?

How are you?

[see]

itself

Reflexive pronoun used for emphasis or to reflect action.

Example

A história se repete.

History repeats itself.

chama

[SHAH-mah]

is called

From 'chamar'; with 'se' it means someone's name is.

Example

Como se chama o teu avô?

What is your grandfather's name?

aquilo?

a-KEE-loo

that (over there)?

Say 'uh-KEE-loo' with rising intonation. Use it for something at a distance.

Example

Gosto daquilo.

I like that.

Words in this phrase

aquilo

[a-KEE-loo]

that (thing over there)

Demonstrative pronoun for something far from both speakers, unspecified thing.

Example

O que é aquilo ali?

What is that over there?

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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