Portuguese Phrase
O que significa essa palavra?
Meaning
Literally, “What does that word mean?” It is used when you encounter a word you don’t understand and want its definition or translation.
When to use
Use this phrase in classrooms, while reading, or in everyday conversation when a new or unfamiliar word appears. It works both in formal and informal settings, though adding ‘por favor’ makes it extra polite.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Oquesignificaessapalavra
Definite article (O)
Masculine singular article used before nouns or pronouns; here it introduces the interrogative phrase.
Interrogative pronoun (que)
Means 'what' and is used to form questions about identity or meaning.
Verb (significa)
Third‑person singular present of 'significar' – to mean or signify.
Demonstrative pronoun (essa)
Feminine singular demonstrative meaning 'that' (referring to something near the listener or already mentioned).
Noun (palavra)
Feminine singular noun meaning 'word'.
🗨In Conversation
O que significa essa palavra?
What does this word mean?
Significa ‘amigo’, que é a pessoa que você conhece bem.
It means ‘friend’, which is a person you know well.
✕Common Mistakes
O que significa esta palavra?
Learners often confuse ‘essa’ with ‘esta’. ‘Esta’ refers to something close to the speaker; ‘essa’ is used for something a bit farther or already mentioned.
Por quê significa essa palavra?
Using ‘significa’ with ‘por quê’ creates a different question. The correct form is ‘O que significa…’, not ‘Por quê significa…’.
↔Alternatives
O que quer dizer essa palavra?
What does this word mean?
Qual o significado desta palavra?
What is the meaning of this word?
Como se traduz essa palavra?
How is this word translated?
Cultural Tip
In Brazilian Portuguese, ‘essa’ points to something a little farther from the speaker (often near the listener) while ‘esta’ points to something close to the speaker. When you’re not sure which to use, ‘essa’ is the safest choice in most classroom contexts. Adding ‘por favor’ (e.g., ‘O que significa essa palavra, por favor?’) shows courtesy, especially with teachers or strangers.