Italian Phrase
Quando vai?
Meaning
This is a concise way to ask 'When are you going?' or 'When does it go?' in Portuguese. It relies on context to identify the subject, which is often 'you' (você) or an object like a bus or train.
When to use
It is used in casual settings to inquire about departure times or future plans. You will hear it frequently at bus stations, airports, or when chatting with friends about their upcoming trips.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Quandovai
Quando
An interrogative adverb used to ask about time, equivalent to 'when' in English.
Vai
The third-person singular present tense of the verb 'ir' (to go), used with 'você', 'ele', or 'ela'.
🗨In Conversation
Vou viajar para o Rio de Janeiro amanhã.
I'm going to travel to Rio de Janeiro tomorrow.
Que legal! Quando vai?
That's cool! When are you going?
✕Common Mistakes
Quando ir?
Use the conjugated form 'vai' instead of the infinitive 'ir' for direct questions.
Quando vai em?
When asking about a destination, use the preposition 'para' or 'a' instead of 'em'.
↔Alternatives
Quando você vai?
When are you going?
A que horas você vai?
At what time are you going?
Cultural Tip
In Brazilian Portuguese, the subject pronoun 'você' is frequently omitted when it is clear from the context. This makes the language sound more fluid and natural in everyday conversations.