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How to Say ‘What is that called?’ in Portuguese

Como se chama aquilo?

KOH-moo see SHAH-mah a-KEE-loo

[KOH-moo see SHAH-mah a-KEE-loo]

💬 Usage Tip: Como se chama...? literally asks "how does it call itself?", and that's the normal way to ask a thing's name. Swap in isto "this" for something close by: Como se chama isto?

Phrase Breakdown

Como se chama

KOH-moo see SHAH-mah

What is it called

Literally 'how does it call itself'. Say 'KOH-moo suh SHUH-muh'. The 'ch' sounds like 'sh'.

Example

Como se chama este prato?

What is this dish 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)?

'Aquilo' refers to something far from both speakers. Say 'uh-KEE-loo'. The 'qu' sounds like 'k'.

Example

O que é aquilo?

What is 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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