quem
Relative Pronoun Quem
The relative pronoun quem is the human-only version of 'who' or 'whom'. While que is the universal workhorse for both people and things, quem is the preferred choice when you need to refer to a person after a preposition (like com, de, para) or when starting a sentence with 'Whoever...'
How It Works
1. Usage with Prepositions
When a relative clause requires a preposition to link back to a person, quem is the standard choice. Common combinations include:
- com quem (with whom)
- de quem (of/from whom)
- para quem (for whom)
- a quem (to whom)
Note: quem is typically used with short, monosyllabic prepositions. For longer, polysyllabic prepositions (like perante or contra), formal Portuguese often prefers o qual.
2. Verb Agreement (Concordância)
When quem functions as the subject of the relative clause, the verb traditionally stays in the 3rd person singular, regardless of the antecedent.
Example: Fomos nós quem limpou a sala (It was us who cleaned the room). While modern usage sometimes allows agreement with the antecedent (Fomos nós quem limpamos), the singular form is preferred in formal exams.
3. Free Relatives (Whoever)
In this role, quem doesn't need an antecedent. It acts as the subject itself. This is extremely common in Portuguese proverbs.
Example: Quem espera sempre alcança (He who waits always achieves).
4. Register Differences
In formal writing, quem is strictly used after prepositions for people. In casual Brazilian Portuguese, speakers often simplify these by using que and dropping the preposition (e.g., A pessoa que eu falei), but using quem correctly (A pessoa com quem falei) helps you become proficient in the language.
Examples (6)
- Esta é a médica com quem eu falei ontem.
This is the doctor with whom I spoke yesterday.
Word by Word: This is the doctor with whom I spoke yesterday.
Here, 'quem' refers back to 'a médica' and follows the preposition 'com'.
- Fui eu quem fez o jantar hoje.
It was I who made dinner today.
Word by Word: Was I who made the dinner today.
When 'quem' is the subject, the verb traditionally stays in the 3rd person singular, even if the antecedent is 'eu' (I).
- Os amigos de quem você gosta chegaram.
The friends whom you like have arrived.
Word by Word: The friends of whom you like arrived.
Even though 'amigos' is plural, 'quem' remains singular because it is invariable.
- Quem avisa, amigo é.
He who warns [you] is a friend.
Word by Word: Who warns, friend is.
A classic proverb where 'quem' acts as a free relative meaning 'the person who'.
- Não conheço o rapaz a quem você deu o livro.
I don't know the boy to whom you gave the book.
Word by Word: Not I-know the boy to whom you gave the book.
The verb 'dar' (to give) requires the preposition 'a', which must precede 'quem'.
- Eu não vi a quem você chamou.
I didn't see whom you called.
Word by Word: I not saw to whom you called.
In formal registers, the preposition 'a' is used before 'quem' even when it functions as a direct object.
Common Mistakes
Using 'quem' for inanimate objects.
A caneta com quem escrevo é azul.A caneta com que escrevo é azul.Even if you are translating 'with which' as 'with whom', 'quem' is strictly for humans. Use que or 'a qual' for objects.
Stranding or dropping the preposition.
A pessoa quem eu trabalho com é legal.A pessoa com quem eu trabalho é legal.In Portuguese, the preposition must come BEFORE the relative pronoun. You cannot put it at the end of the sentence like in English.
Using 'quem' as a simple subject with an antecedent.
O homem quem mora aqui é meu tio.O homem que mora aqui é meu tio.When there is a specific noun right before it (the antecedent) and no preposition is needed, que is the correct choice for the subject.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To use 'quem' as a relative pronoun, you first need to understand the general concept of relative clauses (usually introduced by 'que'). Because 'quem' is specifically used when referring to people after a preposition (e.g., 'a pessoa de quem gosto'), you must also be comfortable with basic Portuguese prepositions and how pronouns generally function following those prepositions.
- queRelative Pronoun Que
Understanding the basic function of relative pronouns to link clauses is essential before learning the specific usage of 'quem' for people.
Level 3 - mim/tiPrepositional Pronouns
Since 'quem' functions as a prepositional relative pronoun, familiarity with how pronouns behave after prepositions provides necessary grammatical context.
Level 2
Related Patterns
- o qual/a qual/os quais/as quaisFormal Relative O Qual
This is a more formal relative pronoun that, unlike 'quem', changes to match the gender and number of the person being discussed.
Level 4 - a/de/em/com/para/porBasic Prepositions
Understanding basic prepositions is essential because 'quem' is most frequently used immediately following these words.
Foundations - de quemWhose (De Quem)
This specific combination is used to ask 'Whose?' or to indicate possession in a relative clause.
Level 1 - Free Relatives
This explains the logic behind using 'quem' without a noun before it, such as in proverbs or general statements.
Level 6
Words in This Pattern
Practice quem in Bubblegum
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