Purpose
By the end of this lesson, you will be able to choose você, o senhor, and a senhora appropriately.
Lesson Explanation
Brazilian Portuguese does not use one single “you” in every setting. você is neutral in many contexts. o senhor and a senhora show respect with older people, customers, or formal service situations, and take third-person verbs: A senhora gostaria…?
Practice Questions
1. Which pronoun is neutral in many Brazilian contexts?
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você.2. What respectful form addresses a man?
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o senhor.3. What respectful form addresses a woman?
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a senhora.4. Write “Would you (formal woman) like…?”
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A senhora gostaria…?5. What verb person do formal titles take?
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Third person.
6. Where are these forms useful?
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With older people, customers, and formal service.
7. Write “Does the gentleman need help?”
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O senhor precisa de ajuda?8. Write “Do you (neutral) speak Portuguese?”
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Você fala português?9. Should you use tu everywhere in Brazil?
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No.
10. What does senhor literally mean?
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Sir/Mr.
11. What does senhora literally mean?
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Madam/Mrs.
12. Why choose register carefully?
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It signals respect and fits the situation.