Portuguese Phrase
Eles dão descontos?
Meaning
Literally, 'Do they give discounts?'. The sentence asks whether a person, a shop, a service or any group offers price reductions. It can be used in a polite way to inquire about possible savings before making a purchase.
When to use
Use this phrase when you are at a store, restaurant, hotel, or any service provider and you want to know if they have a discount policy, a promotion, or are willing to negotiate a lower price.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Elesdãodescontos?
Eles (subject pronoun)
Third‑person plural pronoun meaning 'they'. In Portuguese it is often omitted because the verb ending indicates the subject.
dão (present of dar)
Verb 'dar' (to give) conjugated in the present indicative for third‑person plural. Note the nasal vowel /ɐ̃w/.
descontos (noun, plural)
Plural of 'desconto' meaning 'discount'. The plural is required because the question is about any number of discounts.
Question formation
Portuguese forms yes‑no questions by intonation and a question mark; word order stays the same as in a statement.
🗨In Conversation
Eles dão descontos?
Do they give discounts?
Sim, para estudantes e quem paga à vista temos 10% de desconto.
Yes, for students and cash payments we have a 10% discount.
✕Common Mistakes
Eles dá descontos?
The verb must agree with the plural subject 'eles'; use 'dão' not 'dá'.
Eles dão desconto?
When referring to discounts in general, use the plural 'descontos'.
Ele dão descontos?
Subject‑verb agreement: 'Ele' is singular, so the verb should be 'dá'.
↔Alternatives
Vocês dão descontos?
Do you (plural) give discounts?
Tem desconto?
Is there a discount?
Oferecem descontos?
Do you offer discounts?
É possível conseguir um desconto?
Is it possible to get a discount?
Cultural Tip
In Brazil, asking for a discount is common in markets, boutiques and even some larger stores, especially if you are buying in bulk or paying cash. However, in more formal settings (e.g., chain supermarkets or online shops) discounts are usually advertised beforehand, so a direct question may sound a bit informal. Adjust your tone: a friendly smile and a polite "por favor" can make the request smoother.