What Are Relative Pronouns in Portuguese?
Relative pronouns are words that link a dependent clause to a main clause, referring back to a noun mentioned previously. In English, these are words like “who,” “which,” and “that.” In Portuguese, the main relative pronouns are “que,” “quem,” “cujo,” “onde,” and “o qual.” Each serves a specific function, but “que” and “quem” are the most commonly used and essential for everyday conversation.
How to Use “Que” in Portuguese
“Que” is the most versatile relative pronoun in Portuguese. It can mean “that,” “which,” “who,” or “whom,” depending on the context. “Que” is used to refer to both people and things and does not change for gender or number.
Examples of “Que”
- O livro que estou lendo é interessante. (The book that I am reading is interesting.)
- Conheço a pessoa que você mencionou. (I know the person who you mentioned.)
- Esta é a casa que compramos. (This is the house that we bought.)
Notice how “que” remains the same regardless of whether it refers to a person or a thing. It simply acts as a bridge connecting clauses and providing more information about the noun.
How to Use “Quem” in Portuguese
“Quem” is used exclusively to refer to people and is equivalent to “who” or “whom” in English. Unlike “que,” “quem” is generally used after a preposition or in more formal writing and speech.
Examples of “Quem”
- Ela é a amiga por quem esperei. (She is the friend for whom I waited.)
- Não sei quem fez isso. (I don’t know who did this.)
- O professor a quem escrevi respondeu rapidamente. (The teacher whom I wrote to replied quickly.)
Remember, “quem” often appears after prepositions like “a,” “para,” “com,” or “por,” especially in formal contexts. In informal conversation, speakers sometimes use “que” even when referring to people, but using “quem” is always grammatically correct when a preposition is involved.
Common Mistakes with “Que” and “Quem”
One of the most frequent mistakes Portuguese learners make is using “que” when “quem” is required, or vice versa. Here are some quick tips to avoid confusion:
- Use “que” for both people and things, unless a preposition is directly involved before the pronoun and the reference is to a person.
- Use “quem” only for people, and typically after a preposition.
- Do not use “quem” to refer to things or animals.
More Relative Pronouns to Know
While “que” and “quem” are the most common, here are a few other relative pronouns you may encounter:
- Onde – Refers to a place (“where”)
Ex: A cidade onde nasci é linda. (The city where I was born is beautiful.) - Cujo / cuja – Indicates possession (“whose”)
Ex: O homem cujo carro foi roubado está aqui. (The man whose car was stolen is here.) - O qual / a qual – More formal options, often used to clarify gender or avoid ambiguity.
Tips for Mastering Relative Pronouns in Portuguese
- Practice by combining simple sentences using “que” and “quem.”
- Listen to native Portuguese speakers or use AI language learning tools like Talkpal to hear these pronouns in context.
- Read Portuguese texts and pay attention to how relative pronouns connect ideas.
- Write your own sentences and have them checked by a tutor or a language learning platform.
Conclusion
Learning to use relative pronouns like “que” and “quem” is fundamental for fluency in Portuguese. With regular practice and exposure, you will find these words become second nature, allowing you to create more fluid and expressive sentences. For more language tips and interactive learning, check out the resources available at Talkpal – AI language learning blog, and take your Portuguese skills to the next level.
