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Questions & Answers about Alguém quer café?
What does Alguém mean in this sentence?
Alguém translates to someone or anybody in English. It’s an indefinite pronoun used to refer to an unspecified person, which is why the verb remains singular.
Why is the verb quer used instead of a plural form like querem?
The verb quer is the third-person singular form of querer (to want). Since alguém is singular even when it refers to an unspecified person, the verb agrees with it in the singular.
What is the function of the accent on café?
The acute accent on café indicates that the stress falls on the final syllable, ensuring it is pronounced as kah-FEH. Additionally, this accent helps distinguish the word from any similar-looking words without the accent.
How can Alguém quer café? be translated into English, and how does its structure compare to typical English questions?
It can be translated as "Does anyone want coffee?" or "Would anyone like coffee?" Unlike English questions that often require an auxiliary verb (like does), Portuguese relies on intonation and punctuation to signal that it’s a question, while maintaining a sentence structure similar to a statement.
Is the sentence Alguém quer café? considered formal or informal?
The sentence is informal and conversational. It’s commonly used in everyday settings when offering coffee to a group, reflecting a friendly and relaxed tone.
Are there alternative ways to ask the same question in Portuguese?
Yes, another common alternative is "Quem quer café?", which literally means "Who wants coffee?". Both forms are widely used; "Alguém quer café?" poses the question more generally, while "Quem quer café?" explicitly invites those interested to respond.