Portuguese Phrase
O que esses sinais significam?
Meaning
The sentence asks for the interpretation or meaning of a set of signs that are visible to the speaker. It can refer to road signs, warning symbols, or any visual cues that need clarification.
When to use
Use this question when you encounter unfamiliar symbols on a street, in a manual, on a product label, or in a digital interface and you need to know what they indicate.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Oqueessessinaissignificam?
O (definite article)
In questions like "O que...", "O" is the masculine singular definite article that pairs with the interrogative pronoun "que".
que (interrogative pronoun)
"Que" means "what" and introduces a direct question about a thing or concept.
esses (demonstrative adjective)
"Esses" points to something plural and close to the speaker; it must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies.
sinais (noun, plural)
"Sinais" is a masculine plural noun meaning "signs" or "signals".
significam (verb, 3rd pl. present)
"Significam" is the third‑person plural present indicative of "significar" (to mean). It agrees with the plural subject "sinais".
? (question mark)
In Portuguese, the question mark is placed only at the end of the sentence (the opening question mark is optional and rarely used).
🗨In Conversation
O que esses sinais significam?
What do these signs mean?
O primeiro indica parada obrigatória, o segundo avisa que há curva perigosa.
The first one means stop, the second warns of a dangerous curve.
✕Common Mistakes
O que esses sinais significa?
The verb must agree with the plural subject "sinais"; use "significam".
O que esse sinais significam?
"Esse" is singular; the noun "sinais" is plural, so use "esses".
Qual esses sinais?
While "Qual o significado desses sinais?" is correct, using "Qual" alone without "significado" can sound incomplete.
↔Alternatives
O que esses sinais querem dizer?
What are these signs trying to say?
Qual o significado desses sinais?
What is the meaning of these signs?
O que esses sinais indicam?
What do these signs indicate?
Cultural Tip
In Brazil, road signs follow the MUTCD (Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices) system, so "sinais" often refer to traffic symbols. However, "sinais" can also mean body language cues or even mystical signs in folklore. Adjust your tone: a casual "O que esses sinais significam?" works with friends, while a more formal setting (e.g., asking a city official) might use "Qual o significado desses sinais?".