Portuguese Phrase
É por aqui que se vai ao museu?
Meaning
This question asks whether the way being indicated leads to the museum. It’s a polite way to confirm a direction when you’re unsure which route to take.
When to use
Use it when you’re in a city or town and someone points you somewhere, and you want to verify that the indicated path is indeed the one to the museum. It works in both informal conversations with locals and semi‑formal situations like asking a tourist information desk.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Époraquiquesevaiaomuseu?
É (ser)
The verb 'ser' is used for identification or definition; here it introduces the statement.
por aqui
A locative phrase meaning 'around here' or 'this way', indicating direction.
que (relative pronoun)
Connects the main clause with the subordinate clause, referring to the preceding location phrase.
se vai (impersonal se)
The pronoun 'se' creates an impersonal construction, making the subject indefinite (one/people).
ao (a + o)
Contraction of the preposition 'a' (to) and the masculine singular article 'o', meaning 'to the'.
museu
A masculine noun meaning 'museum'.
🗨In Conversation
É por aqui que se vai ao museu?
Is this the way to the museum?
Sim, é por aqui. Siga em frente e vire à esquerda.
Yes, it is. Go straight ahead and turn left.
✕Common Mistakes
É por aqui que vai ao museu?
Missing the impersonal 'se' makes the sentence sound like you’re asking if a specific person goes to the museum, not about the route.
Por aqui que se vai ao museu?
The verb 'ser' is required at the beginning to form the identification question.
↔Alternatives
É por aqui que se chega ao museu?
Is this the way to get to the museum?
É este caminho que leva ao museu?
Is this the path that leads to the museum?
É por aqui que dá para chegar ao museu?
Can you get to the museum this way?
Cultural Tip
In Portugal, the impersonal 'se' construction (se vai) is very common when giving or asking for directions, because it avoids specifying who is doing the action. In Brazil you’ll also hear 'É por aqui que dá para chegar ao museu?' or simply 'É por aqui que vai ao museu?'. Keep your tone friendly and add a smile – directions are often given with a helpful attitude.