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How to Say ‘So, what's the matter?’ in Portuguese

Então, o que se passa?

en-TOWN oh keh seh PAH-sah

[en-TOWN oh keh seh PAH-sah]

Phrase Breakdown

Então,

en-TOWN

So,

A filler meaning 'so' or 'well then'. Say it 'en-TÃO', ending with the nasal 'ão' sound.

Example

Então, vamos?

So, shall we go?

Words in this phrase

Então

[en-TOWN]

so / then

Used to draw a conclusion or decision.

Example

Então vamos de comboio.

So let's go by train.

o que se passa?

oh keh seh PAH-sah

what's going on?

The doctor's typical opening question. Say it smoothly as 'u kə sə PA-sa'.

Example

Diga-me o que se passa.

Tell me what's going on.

Words in this phrase

[oh]

what

Used to refer to a thing or things previously mentioned or easily identified.

Example

O que é isso?

What is this?

que

[keh]

what

With 'o' it forms 'o que', meaning 'what'.

Example

O que quer comer?

What do you want to eat?

[seh]

(impersonal particle)

Used with 'passa' to mean 'is happening'.

Example

O que se passa aqui?

What's going on here?

passa

[PAH-sah]

is happening

From 'passar'; 'passar-se' means to happen or go on.

Example

Não sei o que se passa.

I don't know what's going on.

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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