Portuguese Phrase
Qual é o seu número ou seu e‑mail?
Meaning
A polite way to ask someone for a way to contact them, offering two options: a phone number or an e‑mail address. The question is neutral and can be used in both formal and informal settings.
When to use
Use this sentence when you need the other person's contact details, such as during a networking event, a job interview, or when setting up a meeting. It works well in Brazil and Portugal, though in Brazil people often say 'telefone' instead of 'número'.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Qualéoseunúmeroouseue-mail?
Qual (interrogative adjective)
Used to ask 'which' or 'what' and agrees in gender and number with the noun that follows.
é (ser, 3rd person singular)
The verb 'ser' in present indicative, used here to link the subject (implicit 'qual') with the complement.
o (definite article)
Masculine singular article that matches the noun 'número'.
seu (possessive adjective)
Shows ownership; it must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies.
ou (coordinating conjunction)
Connects two alternatives – in this case, 'número' and 'e‑mail'.
e‑mail (borrowed noun)
A foreign word that keeps its original spelling; in spoken Portuguese it sounds like /i ˈmej/.
🗨In Conversation
Qual é o seu número ou seu e‑mail?
What is your phone number or your e‑mail?
Meu número é 11 98765‑4321 e meu e‑mail é joao.silva@email.com.
My number is 11 98765‑4321 and my e‑mail is joao.silva@email.com.
✕Common Mistakes
Qual seu número ou seu e‑mail?
The definite article 'o' is required before 'seu número' to keep the sentence grammatical.
Qual é o seu número e seu e‑mail?
Using 'e' (and) changes the meaning to ask for both pieces of information; 'ou' (or) correctly offers a choice.
Qual é o seu número ou seu email?
In Portuguese the standard spelling is 'e‑mail' with a hyphen; dropping the hyphen is a common Anglicism.
↔Alternatives
Qual é o seu telefone ou e‑mail?
What is your phone or e‑mail?
Pode me passar seu contato, por favor?
Could you give me your contact info, please?
Qual o seu número de celular e endereço de e‑mail?
What is your cell phone number and e‑mail address?
Cultural Tip
In Brazil it is common to ask for a 'telefone' first and then an 'e‑mail'. When speaking with older generations, use the more formal 'o seu' rather than the informal 'seu' alone. In Portugal, people often prefer 'telemóvel' for mobile phones. Remember to respect privacy – it’s polite to say 'se não se importar' (if you don’t mind) before asking for personal data.