How to Say ‘What Do You Mean?’ in Portuguese: O Que Quer Dizer?
Use o que quer dizer for meaning and o que você quis dizer to clarify what someone meant in a past comment.
Real Life Portuguese · 5 min read · Updated October 15, 2026
The short answer
O que quer dizer…? asks what a word or expression means. You can name the word after quer dizer or point to it with isso.
Ask about the meaning of a word
O que quer dizer saudade?
What does saudade mean?
O que quer dizer essa placa?
What does this sign mean?
Clarify someone’s intention
O que você quis dizer? asks ‘what did you mean?’ about something a person said. It can sound direct, so add exatamente or ask gently if you are checking your understanding.
O que você quis dizer com ‘mais tarde’?
What did you mean by ‘later’?
Só para confirmar: você quis dizer amanhã?
Just to confirm: did you mean tomorrow?
Ask for a simpler explanation
If you understand the words but not the idea, ask pode explicar de outro jeito? (could you explain it another way?) or quer dizer que…? (does that mean…?). These phrases keep the conversation moving.
Pode explicar de outro jeito?
Could you explain it another way?
Quer dizer que a loja fecha às seis?
Does that mean the store closes at six?
Put it into practice
Use o que quer dizer for a word’s meaning and o que você quis dizer to clarify a person’s message.
Quick practice
Which Portuguese example matches “What does this sign mean”?
Choose an answer to check yourself.
Keep practicing with the Real Life Portuguese app
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