Memory Palace
Unravel the question mark and learn how to ask anything in Portuguese — who, what, where, when, why, how, and more.
Mastering question mark vocabulary is one of the fastest wins in Portuguese. These 8 words cover the everyday language you need to navigate Unravel the question mark and learn how to and more. In Loci, each word is anchored to a vivid memory palace scene so it sticks in long-term memory — not just until your next practice session.
who
Quem é você?
Who are you?
what
O que você quer?
What do you want?
where
Onde fica o banheiro?
Where is the bathroom?
when
Quando você chega?
When do you arrive?
why
Por que você fez isso?
Why did you do that?
how
Como se faz isso?
How do you do this?
how much / how many
Quanto custa isso?
How much does this cost?
which
Qual é o seu nome?
What is your name?
| # | Portuguese | English | Type | Example Sentence | Memory Hook |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | quem | who | function wordEssential | Quem é você?Who are you? | 'Quem' sounds like 'KAYM' — think 'came.' WHO came? The dot is the foundation of the question mark, … |
| 2 | o que | what | function wordEssential | O que você quer?What do you want? | 'O que' sounds like 'oo-KAY' — like saying 'okay??' in a confused, questioning tone. WHAT?? The curv… |
| 3 | onde | where | function wordEssential | Onde fica o banheiro?Where is the bathroom? | 'Onde' sounds like 'ON-jee' — think 'on day': ON what DAY and WHERE? The hook grabs things from unkn… |
| 4 | quando | when | function wordEssential | Quando você chega?When do you arrive? | 'Quando' sounds like 'KWAN-doo' — think 'quandary.' You're in a quandary about WHEN something will h… |
| 5 | por que | why | function wordEssential | Por que você fez isso?Why did you do that? | 'Por que' sounds like 'por-KAY' — think 'pork, eh?' WHY is there pork on the paper? The notepad is f… |
| 6 | como | how | function wordEssential | Como se faz isso?How do you do this? | 'Como' sounds like 'KOH-moo' — think 'comb-oh.' HOW do you use a comb-pencil? You have no idea HOW! |
| 7 | quanto | how much / how many | function wordEssential | Quanto custa isso?How much does this cost? | 'Quanto' sounds like 'KWAN-too' — think 'quantum' or 'quantity.' HOW MUCH? HOW MANY? It's all about … |
| 8 | qual | which | function wordEssential | Qual é o seu nome?What is your name? | 'Qual' sounds like 'KWAH-oo' — think 'koala' or 'quality.' WHICH one has the right quality? 'Qual' i… |
How Loci Teaches These Words
In the Loci app, these 8 words are placed inside the The Question Mark memory palace. Each word is anchored to a specific location — a locus — with a vivid, absurd mnemonic scene designed by memory champions. When you walk through the palace during review, the scenes pop back into your mind automatically, pulling the Portuguese word with them.
Here's how Loci makes three of these words unforgettable.
The dot at the bottom of the question mark is actually a tiny person curled into a ball. You poke the dot and it uncurls — it's a miniature KING who CAME (quem = came) from nowhere! 'WHO am I?!' the king-dot demands.
'Quem' sounds like 'KAYM' — think 'came.' WHO came? The dot is the foundation of the question mark, and 'who' is the most fundamental question about a person.
The curve of the question mark is a giant waterslide, and as you slide down it you scream 'OH-KAY?!' (o que) — WHAT just happened?! At the bottom, a confused tourist keeps asking 'WHAT? WHAT? O QUE?!'
'O que' sounds like 'oo-KAY' — like saying 'okay??' in a confused, questioning tone. WHAT?? The curve throws you for a loop.
The hook at the top is a giant fishing hook with a dangling blank treasure map. A pirate dangles from the hook screaming 'ONDE?! WHERE is my treasure?!' He's been hanging here for days, spinning and searching.
'Onde' sounds like 'ON-jee' — think 'on day': ON what DAY and WHERE? The hook grabs things from unknown locations.
Learn for Free
Reading a word list is one thing. Loci takes these 8 question mark words and places them inside a vivid memory palace with mnemonics, example sentences, and spaced repetition. Words stop slipping away.