Portuguese Phrase
A conexão à internet é grátis?
Meaning
The speaker is asking whether the internet connection, usually Wi‑Fi, is provided without charge. It is a practical question you’ll hear in hotels, cafés, airports, and coworking spaces.
When to use
Use this phrase when you arrive at a place that offers Wi‑Fi and you want to confirm if you need to pay. It works both in formal settings (business hotels) and informal ones (a coffee shop).
✦Grammar Breakdown
Aconexãoàinternetégrátis?
Definite article + noun
The article "A" agrees in gender (feminine) and number (singular) with the noun "conexão".
Preposition contraction "à"
"à" is the contraction of the preposition "a" (to/at) + the feminine singular article "a"; it signals direction or relationship, here "to the internet".
Verb "ser" with adjectives
Use the verb "é" (ser) to link a subject to a permanent characteristic; "grátis" is an adjective meaning "free".
Adjective placement
In Portuguese, adjectives can appear after the noun; "grátis" follows the verb "é".
Question intonation
A simple yes‑no question is formed by raising intonation at the end; no inversion is needed.
🗨In Conversation
A conexão à internet é grátis?
Is the internet connection free?
Sim, o Wi‑Fi é gratuito para todos os clientes.
Yes, the Wi‑Fi is free for all customers.
✕Common Mistakes
A conexão a internet é grátis?
Missing the accent on "à"; the correct preposition‑article contraction is "à" (a + a).
A conexão à internet é gratis?
Learners sometimes write "gratis" without the accent; the correct spelling is "grátis" with an acute accent on the "i".
A conexão à internet tem grátis?
Using "tem" (have) instead of "é" changes the meaning; "tem grátis" is ungrammatical. Use the verb "ser" for characteristics.
↔Alternatives
O Wi‑Fi é gratuito?
Is the Wi‑Fi free?
A internet aqui é de graça?
Is the internet here free of charge?
Posso usar a internet sem pagar?
Can I use the internet without paying?
Cultural Tip
In Brazil both "grátis" and "de graça" mean "free", but "grátis" sounds a bit more formal and is common in written signs. When you ask in a casual setting, "de graça" is perfectly natural. Also, many establishments will say "Wi‑Fi gratuito" rather than "conexão à internet grátis".