Learn Hardcore Portuguese (Portugal): A senhora quer limpar este quarto agora? - Do you ma’am want to clean this room now?

A senhora is a formal and respectful way to address a woman in Portuguese. It’s akin to saying Ma'am or Madam in English, and it’s used to convey politeness and respect in formal contexts.

Why is the verb quer conjugated in the third-person singular even though it translates to "you want" in English?

In Portuguese, when addressing someone formally with expressions like A senhora, the third-person singular form is used. This maintains a respectful tone, so even though it refers to "you," the verb quer is conjugated in the third-person singular to match the formal subject.

What does limpar mean in this context?

Limpar means “to clean.” In this sentence, it refers to the action of cleaning the room.

How does the sentence indicate that it is a question without changing the word order like in English?

Portuguese often forms yes/no questions by keeping the same word order as in statements and relying on intonation and punctuation (the question mark) to signal that it’s a question. In this case, the sentence structure remains declarative, but the rising intonation when spoken and the question mark in writing indicate it’s a query.

What role does agora play in this sentence?

Agora means “now.” It emphasizes immediacy by asking if the cleaning of the room is intended to happen at the present moment.

Is this sentence typical of European Portuguese, and how might it differ from a similar sentence in Brazilian Portuguese?

Yes, the sentence is typical of European Portuguese. In formal situations, A senhora is commonly used as a polite form of address. While Brazilian Portuguese also uses A senhora for respect, everyday conversation there tends to favor você with a more relaxed tone. Additionally, similar question-formation rules apply in both variants, but nuances in formality and usage may vary between them.