Portuguese Phrase
Que nome?
Meaning
This phrase literally translates to "What name?" It is a direct and informal way to ask someone for their name, or to inquire about the name of something or someone else. It's often used in casual settings.
When to use
You would typically use "Que nome?" in informal situations, such as when meeting a new friend, asking about a pet's name, or inquiring about the name of an object or a place in a relaxed conversation. It's a quick and straightforward question.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Quenome
Que
'Que' is an interrogative pronoun or adjective meaning 'what' or 'which'. In this context, it functions as an interrogative adjective modifying 'nome'.
nome
'Nome' is a masculine noun meaning 'name'. It is singular here, directly following 'que' to form the question.
🗨In Conversation
Oi! Eu sou a Ana.
Hi! I'm Ana.
Prazer! Que nome?
Nice to meet you! What name?
✕Common Mistakes
Qual nome?
While 'Qual' also means 'which/what', 'Que' is more commonly used before a noun like 'nome' when asking for a general identification. 'Qual' is often used when there's a choice or selection involved.
Que é o seu nome?
This is grammatically correct but less natural and more clunky than the concise 'Que nome?'. The shorter form is much more common in everyday speech.
↔Alternatives
Como você se chama?
What are you called? / What's your name?
Qual é o seu nome?
What is your name?
Pode me dizer seu nome?
Can you tell me your name?
Cultural Tip
In Portuguese-speaking cultures, asking "Que nome?" is quite direct and informal. While acceptable among friends or in very casual settings, for a first encounter with an adult or in a more formal context, it's generally more polite to use "Como você se chama?" or "Qual é o seu nome?". The directness of "Que nome?" can sometimes be perceived as abrupt if not used carefully.