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Portuguese Phrase

Você penteia o cabelo?

/voˈse pẽˈt͡ʃi.a u kaˈbɛ.lu/
Meaning"Do you comb your hair?"
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Meaning

Literally ‘Do you comb the hair?’, this question asks whether the listener usually combs their hair or is doing it at the moment. It can refer to a habit (e.g., every morning) or a present action.

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When to use

Use this sentence when you want to inquire about someone's grooming routine, when you notice them handling a comb, or when you need to confirm that they have already combed their hair before an event.

✦Grammar Breakdown

Vocêpenteiaocabelo

1

Você

Second‑person singular pronoun used in formal or neutral contexts; equivalent to ‘you’ in English.

2

penteia

Present‑indicative form of the verb *pentear* (to comb) for the pronoun ‘você’; note the -a ending rather than -as (used with ‘tu’).

3

o

Definite article that agrees in gender and number with *cabelo* (masculine singular).

4

cabelo

Masculine singular noun meaning ‘hair’; in Portuguese the word is singular even when referring to the whole head of hair.

🗨In Conversation

A

Você penteia o cabelo todos os dias?

Do you comb your hair every day?

Sim, eu penteio todas as manhãs antes de sair.

Yes, I comb it every morning before going out.

B

✕Common Mistakes

  • Você penteia os cabelos?

    The noun stays singular when talking about the whole head of hair; use *cabelo*, not *cabelos*.

  • Você penteias o cabelo?

    With *você* the verb ends in -a (penteia). *Penteias* is the form for *tu*.

  • Você penteia cabelo?

    Dropping the article sounds unnatural in this context; *o* is required before *cabelo*.

↔Alternatives

  • Você está penteando o cabelo?

    Are you combing your hair?

  • Você costuma pentear o cabelo?

    Do you usually comb your hair?

  • Você penteia o cabelo todos os dias?

    Do you comb your hair every day?

pt

Cultural Tip

In Brazil, personal appearance is often a sign of respect, especially in professional settings. Asking about hair grooming can be a friendly way to start a conversation, but keep the tone light—people may feel self‑conscious if you comment on their appearance too directly. Also note that the verb *pentear* is used for both hair and, metaphorically, for ‘to comb through’ information.