Portuguese Phrase
Como denunciar alguém suspeito?
Meaning
The sentence asks for the steps or method to report a person who appears suspicious. It is a polite, neutral way to request information about the reporting process, whether to the police, a private security service, or an online platform.
When to use
Use this question when you have observed behavior that could be illegal or dangerous and you need guidance on how to alert the authorities. It is common in everyday conversation, in workplaces, schools, or community groups concerned with safety.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Comodenunciaralguémsuspeito?
Como (interrogative adverb)
Used at the beginning of a question to ask about the manner or method of doing something.
Denunciar (infinitive verb)
The infinitive form of the verb meaning ‘to report’ or ‘to denounce’; it follows the interrogative adverb without a subject.
Alguém (indefinite pronoun)
Means ‘someone’; it can be modified by an adjective placed after it.
Suspeito (adjective)
Describes the person as ‘suspicious’; in Portuguese adjectives usually follow the noun they modify.
Question mark placement
In Portuguese the question mark is placed only at the end of the sentence (the opening ‘¿’ is not used).
🗨In Conversation
Como denunciar alguém suspeito?
How do I report a suspicious person?
Você pode ligar para a polícia (190), usar o Disque Denúncia (181) ou enviar um relato pelo aplicativo ‘Denúncia Online’.
You can call the police (190), use the Disque Denúncia (181) hotline, or file a report through the ‘Online Denunciation’ app.
✕Common Mistakes
Como denuncia alguém suspeito?
The verb ‘denunciar’ must stay in infinitive after ‘como’; do not add a conjugated form like ‘denuncia’.
Como denunciar suspeito alguém?
In Portuguese the adjective follows the noun; ‘alguém suspeito’ is correct, not ‘suspeito alguém’.
Como denúncia alguém suspeito?
‘Denúncia’ is a noun; the correct verb form is ‘denunciar’.
↔Alternatives
Qual é o procedimento para denunciar uma pessoa suspeita?
What is the procedure to report a suspicious person?
Como faço para denunciar alguém que parece suspeito?
How do I go about reporting someone who seems suspicious?
Para onde devo levar uma denúncia de pessoa suspeita?
Where should I take a report about a suspicious person?
Cultural Tip
In Brazil, the most direct way to report a suspicious person is dialing 190 for the police or 181 for the Disque Denúncia hotline, which handles anonymous tips. Many states also have mobile apps (e.g., ‘Denúncia Online’, ‘Meu SOS’) that let you send photos, location, and a description. Remember to give as many concrete details as possible—time, place, physical description—because vague accusations can be considered defamation.