Question 1

How does the word order change when turning a direct question into this indirect question?

Accepted Answer

In Portuguese, it doesn't! Unlike English, which changes the word order ('Where can I...' vs '...where I can...'), Portuguese uses the exact same word order for the direct question (Onde posso fazer a reclamação?) and the indirect question (Não sei onde posso fazer a reclamação.).

Question 2

I thought phrases expressing doubt like Não sei triggered the subjunctive. Why is posso in the normal indicative here?

Accepted Answer

While expressions of doubt often trigger the subjunctive, indirect questions starting with question words like onde, quem, or como usually take the indicative. You are stating a factual limit to your knowledge (the fact that you do not know the location), rather than expressing doubt about whether an action will happen.

Question 3

Could I use the word queixa instead of reclamação here?

Accepted Answer

You could, but they have slightly different everyday uses. A reclamação is a typical consumer complaint, like something you would write in a shop's complaints book (livro de reclamações). A queixa is usually more serious or formal, such as filing a police report (apresentar queixa).

Question 4

Why do we use the definite article a in fazer a reclamação instead of uma?

Accepted Answer

In English, we often say 'make a complaint' using the indefinite article. In Portuguese, if you already have a specific issue in mind that you need to resolve, it is much more natural to use the definite article a (the complaint). You can say fazer uma reclamação, but using a shows you are talking about your specific grievance rather than complaints in general.

Não sei onde posso fazer a reclamação.

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