Learn Portuguese (Portugal): Quem é o senhor alto aqui?

Quem é o senhor alto aqui?

Who is the tall gentleman here?

Breakdown of Quem é o senhor alto aqui?

the gentleman / you (formal, m)

quem

who

Questions & Answers about Quem é o senhor alto aqui?

Why do we use "é" instead of "está" in this sentence?

We use é (from the verb ser) because being tall (alto) is a permanent physical trait, and we are asking for someone's core identity ("Who is he?"). If we were asking about a temporary state or where he is located, we would use a form of estar.

Why does "alto" come after "o senhor"?

In Portuguese, descriptive adjectives like alto (tall) usually come right after the noun they describe. So instead of "the tall gentleman", the word order is the equivalent of "the gentleman tall" (o senhor alto).

Does "o senhor" mean "the gentleman" or "Mr."?

It can mean both, depending on how you use it! By itself, as it is here, o senhor is a polite way to say "the gentleman" or "the man". When placed directly before someone's name, it translates to "Mr.".

How could I change this sentence to ask for the tall gentleman's name?

To ask for his name, you would use the reflexive verb chamar-se (to call oneself) that you are practicing in this lesson. You would swap out Quem é for Como se chama, making the sentence: Como se chama o senhor alto aqui? (Literally: "How does the tall gentleman here call himself?").