Use of the word "que" in sentences.

Oi Jim,
Obrigada for you question.
"Que" could mean "that", "which", "what" and more. Here is my suggestion: Copy a few sentences here using "que" and I will translate and explain some of its use. Sometimes you can omit its translation in English, but need to use it in Portuguese. For example:

• I think it will rain today.
• = Eu acho que vai chover hoje.

You do not need to say "I think that it will rain today", but in Portuguese you need to say "que".

Muito obrigado Luciana.  I will post a few sentences with "que" in it and look forward to your explanation.  Jim

I have been struggling with this as well. Thanks VB for bringing it up.... I got an easy sentance with 'que' that I know the rule for but I really don't know the why.... I'm finding I want to know the why because it will help me form proper sounding sentances. So here it is:
"Tenho que sair."
Simple but I found there is no translation for 'que' here so I find myself thinking..... why?

As much as I would like to explain why, you will find that many times there really isn't a why. For instance, when I was learning English I wanted to know why I had to say "to give up on something". Why "on"? In Portuguese we say "to give up from" or "to give up of". Why "on"?
As your Portuguese progresses you will find more and more instances in which a literal translation will not do.
In Portuguese there are two ways to say "I have to do something":

1. Eu tenho que + base form of the verb
2. Eu tenho de + base form o fhe verb

"Ter que" and "Ter de" are the same. "Ter de" is the orginal form of the expression. "Ter que" is currently the more common way to say it.
You can choose to use one or the other. I have always used "ter que" and some people tend to always say "ter de". It is just a matter of habit.
Here are some examples:

• Tenho que ir embora = I have to go
• Tenho de ir embora = I have to go
• Você tem que chegar cedo = You have to arrive early
• Você tem de chegar cedo = You have to arrive early

Cool,
'ter de' actually makes sense to me. But I knew that I would find things I would have to just accept and learn where to use them over time. This I guess will be my first one. I came across it when trying to tell my story of, 'why are you learning portuguese' the common question I get from nearly every Brasileiro I talk with. I do pretty good, until I miss the usage of 'que' in my sentances.

oi,
I also have a question regarding "que". What does the phrase "que coisa" mean? my Brazilian friend uses it all the time and it doesn't make sense to me... that thing? And he doesn't use it as a question either.. here is my example:
I said "faz muito calor aqui... estou morrendo"
and he said "hahhahaahahah que coisa"
Thanks for the help!

Obrigada for your question, Amanda. "Que coisa" is a very Brazilian expression :)
The closest translation is: "What a thing". It can mean different things. I will give a few examples:
1) It can mean annoyance:

• I always ask Pedro not to park his car behind mine, but he keeps doing it. Que coisa! (=What an annoying thing)
• My allergies have been really bad lately. Que coisa!

2) It can mean surprise or admiration:

• Wow, look at the size of that house. Que coisa! (= what an impressive thing)
• Maria, check out that guy; he is so good looking. Que coisa!

3) It can be used as a general expression for emphasis in different situations:

• You are right, it is really hot today. Que coisa! (= What a thing such a hot day like today)
• Oh, come on, it is not so hot, you are exaggerating. Que coisa! (=What a thing this exaggeration of yours)

As you can see, the tone of the conversation is very important in determining the function of "que coisa".
I hope that helps :)

oh wow! that is going to take some getting used to... but thanks! i definitely do understand it much better now.