Portuguese Phrase
Que planos você tem para o futuro?
Meaning
This question asks someone about the projects, ambitions, or intentions they are considering for the time ahead. It can refer to career, personal life, travel, or any long‑term goal.
When to use
Use it in casual conversations with friends, family, or colleagues when you want to know about their upcoming aspirations. It’s also appropriate in more formal settings like a job interview or a mentorship meeting, though you might soften it with a polite preface.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Queplanosvocêtemparaofuturo
Que (interrogative)
Used to ask 'what' or 'which' about a noun; here it introduces a question about plans.
planos (noun, plural)
Means 'plans'; plural agrees with the verb 'tem' (third‑person singular) because the subject is 'você'.
você (subject pronoun)
Second‑person singular pronoun, conjugates verbs in the third‑person form.
tem (verb ter, 3rd‑person singular)
Present indicative of 'ter' meaning 'to have'; matches the subject 'você'.
para o futuro (prepositional phrase)
Literally 'for the future'; 'para' introduces a goal or destination.
🗨In Conversation
Que planos você tem para o futuro?
What plans do you have for the future?
Estou pensando em fazer mestrado em engenharia e depois me mudar para São Paulo.
I’m thinking of doing a master’s in engineering and then moving to São Paulo.
✕Common Mistakes
Que planos você tem para o futuro?
Using 'Que' is correct for informal speech; in more formal contexts, 'Quais' is often preferred.
Que planos você tens para o futuro?
Do not conjugate as 'tens' unless you are using the regional 'tu' form, which is uncommon in most of Brazil.
Que planos você tem para o o futuro?
Avoid adding an unnecessary article before 'futuro' (e.g., 'para o o futuro').
↔Alternatives
Quais são seus planos para o futuro?
What are your plans for the future?
O que você pretende fazer nos próximos anos?
What do you intend to do in the coming years?
Tem algum objetivo específico para o futuro?
Do you have any specific goal for the future?
Cultural Tip
In Brazil, talking about future plans is often linked to personal growth and family expectations. It’s common to discuss education, career, and where you’ll settle down. When asking this question, a friendly tone and genuine interest are appreciated; avoid sounding too intrusive, especially with people you don’t know well.