Quer dizer
Literally: Wants to say
Use `quer dizer` whenever you need to rephrase, correct, or clarify your thoughts on the fly.
In 15 Seconds
- Use it to clarify or correct yourself mid-sentence.
- Equivalent to the English phrase 'I mean' or 'that is.'
- Works in both formal meetings and casual coffee chats.
Meaning
This is your go-to phrase for clarifying what you just said or correcting yourself mid-sentence. It works exactly like saying 'I mean' or 'that is to say' in English.
Key Examples
3 of 6Ordering at a cafe
Eu quero um café, quer dizer, um galão, por favor.
I want a coffee, I mean, a latte, please.
Explaining a delay to a boss
O projeto está quase pronto, quer dizer, faltam apenas os detalhes finais.
The project is almost ready, I mean, only the final details are missing.
Correcting a date in a text
Nos vemos na terça, quer dizer, na quarta!
See you on Tuesday, I mean, on Wednesday!
Cultural Background
The phrase stems from the idea that words 'want' to convey a specific intent. It reflects a linguistic culture that prioritizes the speaker's intention over rigid literalism. It is a universal 'crutch' phrase used from Lisbon to Luanda to São Paulo.
The 'I mean' trick
If you can say 'I mean' in English, you can almost always use `quer dizer` in Portuguese. It's one of the few 1:1 translations that works perfectly.
Don't overthink the grammar
Even though `quer` is a verb (to want), in this expression, it is frozen. You don't need to change it to 'quero dizer' just because you are the one talking.
In 15 Seconds
- Use it to clarify or correct yourself mid-sentence.
- Equivalent to the English phrase 'I mean' or 'that is.'
- Works in both formal meetings and casual coffee chats.
What It Means
Think of quer dizer as your linguistic safety net. It literally translates to 'wants to say,' but it functions as a bridge. You use it when your brain moves faster than your mouth. It helps you clarify a point or fix a mistake. It is the ultimate tool for making sure people actually understand you.
How To Use It
Using it is incredibly simple. You just drop it right after the part that needs fixing. You don't need to conjugate it most of the time. It stays as quer dizer regardless of who is talking. Use it to define a word or rephrase a clumsy sentence. It acts like a verbal 'undo' button for your last three seconds of speech.
When To Use It
You will use this constantly in daily life. Use it at a restaurant when you change your mind about an order. Use it in a meeting to explain a complex graph. It is perfect for texting when autocorrect ruins your life. If you see a look of confusion on a friend's face, say quer dizer and try again. It shows you care about being clear.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use it to start every single sentence. It can become a nervous filler word if you aren't careful. Avoid using it in very rigid, scripted speeches where precision is expected from the start. Also, don't use it if you are actually asking what a word means. In that case, you'd ask 'O que significa...?' instead. Using it too much makes you sound indecisive.
Cultural Background
Portuguese speakers value communication and connection deeply. Quer dizer reflects this by being a polite way to ensure everyone is on the same page. In Brazil, it is often shortened in fast speech to something sounding like 'quedizê.' It’s a humble phrase. It admits that your first attempt at speaking wasn't perfect. It bridges the gap between your thoughts and your listener's ears.
Common Variations
In very casual settings, you might hear ou seja. This is more like 'in other words' and is a bit more formal. You might also hear isto é, which is the direct equivalent of 'i.e.' or 'that is.' However, quer dizer remains the king of conversational Portuguese. It’s the most natural and versatile option for any learner.
Usage Notes
The phrase is incredibly versatile. It sits right in the middle of the formality scale, making it safe for almost any situation from a first date to a job interview.
The 'I mean' trick
If you can say 'I mean' in English, you can almost always use `quer dizer` in Portuguese. It's one of the few 1:1 translations that works perfectly.
Don't overthink the grammar
Even though `quer` is a verb (to want), in this expression, it is frozen. You don't need to change it to 'quero dizer' just because you are the one talking.
The Brazilian Shortcut
In Brazil, people often say it so fast it sounds like 'quedizê'. If you drop the final 'r', you'll sound like a local in no time!
Examples
6Eu quero um café, quer dizer, um galão, por favor.
I want a coffee, I mean, a latte, please.
Used here to quickly change an order before the waiter leaves.
O projeto está quase pronto, quer dizer, faltam apenas os detalhes finais.
The project is almost ready, I mean, only the final details are missing.
Adds necessary nuance to a statement to remain professional and honest.
Nos vemos na terça, quer dizer, na quarta!
See you on Tuesday, I mean, on Wednesday!
A common way to fix a typo or a mental slip in messaging.
Eu amo o seu irmão... quer dizer, como amigo!
I love your brother... I mean, as a friend!
Used to avoid an awkward romantic misunderstanding.
Eu sinto sua falta, quer dizer, a casa parece vazia sem você.
I miss you, I mean, the house feels empty without you.
Expands on an emotion to give it more weight.
A inflação subiu, quer dizer, o poder de compra diminuiu.
Inflation rose, that is to say, purchasing power decreased.
Used to explain the consequence of a statement.
Test Yourself
Choose the best phrase to clarify that you are talking about tomorrow, not today.
Vou viajar hoje... ___, amanhã de manhã!
You are correcting the timing of your trip, so 'quer dizer' (I mean) is the perfect bridge.
Select the phrase that helps you explain a difficult concept simply.
O sistema está offline, ___ , não podemos trabalhar agora.
Here, 'quer dizer' is used to explain the practical implication of the system being offline.
🎉 Score: /2
Visual Learning Aids
Formality Range of 'Quer dizer'
Used with friends to correct a slip of the tongue.
Vou às oito, quer dizer, às nove.
Standard use in shops or with acquaintances.
Não gosto de carne, quer dizer, sou vegetariano.
Used in presentations to clarify data.
O lucro caiu, quer dizer, precisamos de nova estratégia.
When to reach for 'Quer dizer'
Correcting a typo
In a WhatsApp group chat
Ordering food
Changing your mind at the counter
Business meeting
Clarifying a specific metric
Socializing
Explaining a joke that landed poorly
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsIt literally means 'wants to say.' It implies that the previous statement 'intended' to mean something else.
Yes, it is perfectly acceptable in neutral or semi-formal emails to clarify a point. For very formal writing, you might prefer ou seja.
They are very similar. Quer dizer is more like 'I mean,' while ou seja is more like 'in other words.' Both work for clarification.
No, as a set expression for clarification, you keep it as quer dizer. You only conjugate it if you literally mean 'He/She wants to say something.'
Yes, it is universally used across all Portuguese-speaking countries with the same meaning.
Yes, if someone looks confused, you can start your next sentence with Quer dizer... to provide a simpler explanation.
No, it is a standard expression. It is not slang, though it is very common in informal speech.
Learners sometimes try to say eu quero dizer, which sounds like you are literally explaining your desires rather than just correcting a word.
You don't usually use it to ask. Instead, ask 'O que isso quer dizer?' which means 'What does that mean?'
Extremely natural. It's the most common way to fix a mistake in a message before sending a follow-up.
Related Phrases
Ou seja
In other words / That is
Isto é
That is (more formal)
Melhor dizendo
Better said / Rather
Em outras palavras
In other words
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