❓💭

How to Say ‘What does this mean?’ in Portuguese

O que significa isto?

oh kuh seeg-nee-FEE-kah ees-toh

[oh kuh seeg-nee-FEE-kah ees-toh]

💬 Usage Tip: isto means "this" for something near you, like a word you're pointing at on a menu. For something farther away, use isso "that".

Phrase Breakdown

O que significa

oh kuh seeg-nee-FEE-kah

What does it mean

'O que' means 'what' and sounds like 'oo keh'. 'Significa' means 'it means'. Say 'seeg-nee-FEE-kuh'.

Example

O que significa 'saudade'?

What does 'saudade' mean?

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

[kuh]

what

Part of the phrase a que horas, meaning what time.

Example

A que horas deseja a mesa no sábado?

At what time would you like the table on Saturday?

significa

[seeg-nee-FEE-kah]

means

Third person present of 'significar' (to mean).

Example

Esta palavra significa obrigado.

This word means thank you.

isto?

ees-toh

this?

'Isto' means 'this' and refers to something near you. In Portugal it sounds like 'EESH-tu'.

Example

Isto é meu.

This is mine.

Words in this phrase

isto

[ees-toh]

this

Referring to a specific object close to the speaker.

Example

Gosto disto.

I like this.

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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