Reported thoughts and statements with que

In brief

Use que to introduce what someone thinks, knows, or says. It links a verb such as achar (to think) or dizer (to say) to a complete statement. In English, you can often leave out ‘that’; in Brazilian Portuguese, keep que.

Form

person + achar/dizer/saber + que + statement: Eu acho que a loja está aberta. The statement after que has its own subject and verb when needed.

Usage

• Use acho que to give an opinion or express what you believe.
• Use disse que to pass on what someone said, and sei que to say what you know.
• Keep que even when English sounds more natural without ‘that’.

Examples

• Eu acho que a loja está aberta. — I think the store is open.
• Ele disse que está cansado. — He said he’s tired.
• Eu sei que você tem razão. — I know you’re right.

Common mistake

❌ Acho a loja está aberta.

✅ Acho que a loja está aberta.

English allows ‘I think the store is open’ without ‘that’, but Portuguese needs que before the statement.

Remember

After acho, disse, or sei, use que to introduce the statement you are reporting.