Expressing "How" with Adjectives and Adverbs
When you want to say "how" plus an adjective or adverb in the middle of a sentence—like expressing astonishment at how fast a memory champion is—you use o quão or simply quão.
Let's first look at o quão. In indirect degree clauses like these, o quão is immediately followed by the adjective or adverb you are emphasizing:
| You cannot imagine how extraordinary the human brain is. | Não imaginas o quão extraordinário o cérebro humano é. |
| Show me how extraordinary you are at retaining this information. | Mostra-me o quão extraordinário tu és a reter esta informação. |
Notice that Portuguese keeps the standard sentence order for the rest of the clause: o quão + adjective/adverb + subject + verb.
| His mental effort shows how focused the champion is. | O esforço mental dele mostra o quão focado o campeão está. |
Using "Quão" without the Article
You can often drop the definite article o and just use quão. The meaning remains exactly the same, though it can sound slightly more concise or formal.
| It is incredible how fast they can retain the mental image. | É incrível quão rápido eles conseguem reter a imagem mental. |
| It is a matter of understanding how useful visualizing an association can be. | Trata-se de perceber quão útil visualizar uma associação pode ser. |
After Prepositions
Because o quão begins with a definite article, it pairs very naturally with prepositions when the preceding verb or phrase requires one. For example, if someone is impressed with something, you can place o quão right after the preposition com:
| The champion has impressed everyone with how fast he memorizes. | O campeão tem impressionado todos com o quão rápido memoriza. |