what

An interrogative determiner used to ask for information specifying something from an open or indefinite set. It is also used in exclamations to express surprise or emphasis.

• 🇵🇹Palavra interrogativa usada para pedir informação sobre a identidade, a natureza ou a qualidade de algo, geralmente diante de um substantivo ou de uma oração. Também pode introduzir perguntas sobre quantidade, preço ou grau.

1. Interrogative selection (open set) A1 formal

   Used in questions to ask for information about a specific thing, person, or idea when the possible answers are not limited to a known set. It implies 'which one(s) among all possibilities'.

   • What time is it?
   • What color do you like?
   • What books did you buy?

   🇵🇹Seleção interrogativa (conjunto aberto)

2. Exclamatory emphasis A2 informal

   Used in exclamations to express strong emotion, such as surprise, admiration, or shock, regarding the quality or nature of something.

   • What a beautiful day!
   • What nonsense!
   • What an idea!

   🇵🇹Ênfase exclamativa

3. Relative reference (free relative) B1 formal

   Used to introduce a noun clause that functions as the subject or object of a sentence, meaning 'the thing(s) that'.

   • I know what you mean.
   • What he said was true.
   • Do what you want.

   🇵🇹Referência relativa (oração relativa livre)