Indirect questions (se / question words)

Reporting Yes/No Questions

When reporting a "yes or no" question indirectly, connect the reporting verb to the question using se (if/whether).

I want to know if I can transfer the call.
Quero saber se posso transferir a chamada.
The client asked if the plan is expensive.
O cliente perguntou se o tarifário é caro.

Reporting Open Questions

For open questions, do not use se. Simply keep the original interrogative word—like quem (who), quando (when), onde (where), or quantos (how many).

The assistant asked who was on the line.
O assistente perguntou quem estava na linha.
He wants to know when we are going to transfer him to the technician.
Ele quer saber quando vamos transferi-lo para o técnico.

Customer Service

These indirect structures are common in customer service contexts, such as when discussing invoices (a fatura), handling complaints (a reclamação), or checking commitment periods (a fidelização).

The assistant asked if the lady wanted to complain about the invoice.
O assistente perguntou se a senhora queria reclamar da fatura.
I do not know where I can make the complaint.
Não sei onde posso fazer a reclamação.
We need to know how many months of the commitment are left.
Precisamos de saber quantos meses da fidelização faltam.