Portuguese Phrase
Quer que eu te explique?
Meaning
This phrase is a helpful way to offer clarification or assistance when someone seems confused. It utilizes the present subjunctive mood because it expresses a wish or a request for the other person's preference.
When to use
Use this in casual or professional settings when you notice someone struggling with a concept, a task, or a set of instructions. It is a polite way to initiate a helpful explanation without being overbearing.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Querqueeuteexplique
Querer que
The verb 'querer' followed by 'que' requires the second verb to be in the subjunctive mood.
Subjunctive Mood
'Explique' is the present subjunctive form of 'explicar', used here to express a possibility or desire.
🗨In Conversation
Não entendi como funciona esse novo aplicativo.
I didn't understand how this new app works.
Quer que eu te explique?
Do you want me to explain it to you?
✕Common Mistakes
Quer que eu te explico?
The verb after 'quer que' must be in the subjunctive mood ('explique'), not the indicative ('explico').
Você quer eu te explique?
In Portuguese, the conjunction 'que' is mandatory to connect the two clauses when the subjects are different.
↔Alternatives
Quer uma explicação?
Do you want an explanation?
Posso te explicar?
Can I explain it to you?
Cultural Tip
Brazilians are generally very helpful and communicative, so offering to explain something is seen as a friendly gesture. While 'te' is technically an object pronoun for 'tu', it is used almost universally with 'você' in spoken Brazilian Portuguese.