‘Será Que…?’ in Portuguese: Ask Questions More Naturally — Practice

Use será que to wonder about a possibility

Será que is a common frame for asking what might happen or whether something is true. Depending on context, it can sound like ‘I wonder if…,’ ‘do you think…?,’ or simply introduce a natural question. The words after it often form a regular question: será que ele vem? (do you think he is coming?).

The phrase is useful when you are thinking aloud or checking an uncertain detail. It does not make a question automatically formal or polite; tone and the relationship between speakers still matter.

Soften a request without hiding what you need

Putting será que before a request can make it sound more tentative: será que você pode me ajudar? (do you think you could help me?). You can add por favor and specify exactly what you need. For an urgent or safety-critical request, be direct so the listener understands the situation.

Do not translate the phrase word for word in every sentence. Learn it as a conversational frame, listen to how speakers use it, and notice whether the speaker is wondering, checking, or asking for help.

Remember: Use será que to frame a possibility, a question you are considering, or a softer request. Let context and tone supply the exact English meaning.

Check your understanding

Choose the English meaning of each Portuguese example. Answer before looking back at the tables. These questions check the written examples in this guide; they are not a listening or proficiency test.

Recall the Portuguese, then say it

Read the English prompt and say a Portuguese version before opening the answer. The answer shows the example from the lesson; other natural translations may also work. Compare the meaning and the situation rather than counting a different word as automatically wrong.

1. Do you think it will rain later?

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Será que vai chover mais tarde?

2. I wonder if the store is still open.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Será que a loja ainda está aberta?

3. Do you think he got my message?

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Será que ele recebeu minha mensagem?

4. Could you repeat the address?

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Será que você pode repetir o endereço?

5. Do you think we could start a little earlier?

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Será que dá para começar um pouco mais cedo?

6. I wonder if there is a table for two.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Será que tem uma mesa para duas pessoas?

Make the phrase useful to you

Choose one example you could actually use. Say it once from memory, then change one detail that fits your life, such as the person, place, time, or object. Check whether your change also needs a different verb form, article, or adjective ending. If it does, compare it with the pattern in the explanation.

Use será que to frame a possibility, a question you are considering, or a softer request. Let context and tone supply the exact English meaning.

Return to two prompts tomorrow without opening the answers first. If a phrase still feels difficult, shorten it to a useful chunk and build the complete sentence again.

Sources and your next lesson

This I Speak Portuguese practice guide builds on our ‘Será Que…?’ in Portuguese: Ask Questions More Naturally lesson on Real Life Portuguese, with written recall tasks and additional speaking practice. The explanations and examples are teaching material; the practice questions are exercises, not a transcript of a recording.

To add Brazilian audio to your routine, choose a lesson in the Real Life Portuguese app. The app offers its own lessons and practice; this page does not imply that every example here has an app recording.