Eles querem comprar uma salada no supermercado?

Questions & Answers about Eles querem comprar uma salada no supermercado?

Why is there no word for "to" between querem and comprar?
In English, we say "want to buy", but in Portuguese, the verb querer (to want) connects directly to the infinitive form of the next verb. Comprar already means "to buy", so you just say querem comprar without adding any extra words in between.
Why doesn't the question start with a word for "Do"?
Portuguese does not use helper words like "do" or "does" to make questions. You simply use the exact same word order as a normal statement (Eles querem comprar...) and raise your voice at the end when speaking, or add a question mark when writing.
Where does the word no come from in no supermercado?
No is a mandatory contraction of the preposition em (in/on/at) and the masculine word for "the", which is o. Because supermercado is a masculine word, "at the supermarket" becomes em + o supermercado, which always merges together to become no supermercado.
How do I know whether to use eles or elas for "they"?
Eles is used for a group of males, or a mixed group of males and females. You only use elas if the group is entirely made up of females. Since we do not know exactly who "they" are from this sentence alone, the default fallback is the masculine eles.

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