Portuguese Phrase
Alguém está perguntando por um colega.
Meaning
The sentence means 'Someone is asking about a colleague.' It indicates that an unknown person is inquiring for information regarding a coworker or classmate.
When to use
Use this phrase when you hear a stranger or a colleague asking for another colleague’s whereabouts, contact details, or any other information. It’s common in offices, schools, or public places like reception desks.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Alguémestáperguntandoporumcolega
Indefinite pronoun 'Alguém'
Alguém means 'someone' and is used to refer to an unspecified person.
Progressive tense (estar + gerund)
The construction 'está perguntando' uses the verb estar + gerundio to express an action happening right now.
Preposition 'por' with perguntar
When asking about a person, Portuguese uses 'perguntar por' (to ask for/about someone).
Indefinite article 'um'
The article 'um' introduces a singular, non‑specific noun, here 'colega' (colleague).
🗨In Conversation
Alguém está perguntando por um colega.
Someone is asking about a colleague.
Você sabe quem é?
Do you know who it is?
✕Common Mistakes
Alguém está perguntando a um colega.
In Brazil you use ‘perguntar por’ when asking about a person; ‘perguntar a’ means to ask *someone* a question.
Alguém está perguntando por um colega chamado João.
If you know the colleague’s name, replace the indefinite article with the name or ‘o colega’.
Alguém pergunta por um colega.
Do not use the simple present ‘pergunta’ unless you refer to a habitual action.
↔Alternatives
Alguém quer saber de um colega.
Someone wants to know about a colleague.
Tem alguém perguntando por um colega.
There's someone asking for a colleague.
Alguém está procurando um colega.
Someone is looking for a colleague.
Cultural Tip
In Brazil, it’s polite to ask ‘Posso ajudar?’ (May I help?) when someone is looking for a colleague, especially in professional settings. Using ‘por’ after ‘perguntar’ is typical in Brazil, while in Portugal you might hear ‘perguntar a respeito de’ more often.