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Portuguese Phrase

Pra quantas pessoas?

/pɾa ˈkwɐ̃.tɐs peˈso.as/
Meaning"For how many people?"
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Meaning

Literally, “For how many people?” It’s the go‑to question when you need to know the size of a group – for a reservation, a ticket purchase, a shared bill, or any situation that depends on the number of participants.

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When to use

Use this phrase at restaurants when booking a table, at ticket counters for group tickets, when ordering food for a group, or any time a service provider needs to know the headcount. In casual conversation you’ll hear the shortened "Pra", while in formal contexts you’d say "Para quantas pessoas?".

✦Grammar Breakdown

Praquantaspessoas?

1

Pra (para)

"Pra" is the colloquial contraction of "para" (for/to). It’s common in spoken Brazilian Portuguese but avoided in formal writing.

2

Quantas (interrogative adjective)

"Quantas" means "how many" and must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies; here it matches the feminine plural "pessoas".

3

Pessoas (noun)

"Pessoas" means "people" and is always feminine plural, even when referring to a mixed‑gender group.

🗨In Conversation

A

Pra quantas pessoas?

For how many people?

Para quatro pessoas, por favor.

For four people, please.

B

✕Common Mistakes

  • Pra quantos pessoas?

    "Quantos" is masculine; it must agree with the feminine noun "pessoas".

  • Pra quantas pessoa?

    The noun must be plural when asking about a group.

  • Para quantas pessoas?

    In casual spoken Portuguese, "pra" is preferred; using "para" isn’t wrong but can sound overly formal in everyday conversation.

↔Alternatives

  • Para quantas pessoas?

    For how many people?

  • Quantas pessoas?

    How many people?

  • Para quantas pessoas será a reserva?

    For how many people will the reservation be?

pt

Cultural Tip

In Brazil, asking "Pra quantas pessoas?" is a standard part of the hospitality etiquette. Waitstaff will often ask this right after you give your name. Using "pra" signals a friendly, informal tone; switch to "para" when speaking with strangers in a formal setting or writing an email. Remember that "pessoas" stays feminine, so the adjective must be "quantas", never "quantos".