So, let's have a look at some important words used for making questions in Brazilian Portuguese. O quê Vs. Qual O QUE > O que tem dentro da sua bolsa? [what is there inside your bag?] > O que eu posso fazer por você? [What can I do for you?] > O que acontece em uma balada? [What happens in a night club?] - QUAL > Qual é o preço dessa calça? [what is the price of this "pants"] > Qual é o seu nome? [What is your name?] > Qual camiseta você prefere, a listrada ou a xadrez? [Which T-shirt do you prefer, the striped one or the checked one?] BRIEF EXPLANATION: O QUE is more often used when it's an open question. QUAL seems to be used when there are options, even with something like names... Now I'll try to come up with a few questions that are similar but use O QUE e QUAL. O QUE você estuda? > what do you study? QUAL DISCIPLINA/CURSO/LÍNGUA você estuda? > what/which subject/course/major/language do you study? - O QUE tem de bom no cardápio? >what is there of good in the menu? QUAL é a melhor opção do cardápio? >what/which is the best option in the menu? - O QUE você vai pedir? >What will you order/request? QUAL você vai pedir? >WHICH ONE (of the two, of all the options, of what you saw) will you order? - O QUE tá pegando? > What is getting? = What's going on? (when there's tension) INFORMAL QUAL é o pó? >What/which is the powder? = What's the matter? (there's irritation) INFORMAL - You see? Qual is much more often used with nouns, even when they're omitted. - --------- TAREFA = TASK: 1) ASK A question with O QUÊ and one with QUAL in the comment section. 2) REPLY to somebody else's questions. Obrigado, e até logo! "Confused chimp" by Tambako the Jaguar is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0.