Que horas são? What Time is It? How to Tell Time and Give Dates in Portuguese

In this post we’ll learn how to tell time in Portuguese, how to give dates in Portuguese, and how to talk about days and months in Portuguese. First we’ll start with Portuguese vocabulary related to the time of day. Then you’ll learn how to tell time in Portuguese. Next you’ll learn the days of the week in Portuguese as well as the months of the year. Finally, you’ll learn how to give dates in Portuguese.

Dia, Noite: Day, Night

Let’s start with some basic vocabulary related to time of day: o dia day; a noite night; a manhã  morning; a tarde afternoon; a noite evening.

• É cedo / tarde.
  It’s early/late.
• Eu durmo à noite.
  I sleep at night.
• Trabalho durante o dia.
  I work during the day.
• Nós lemos à noite.
  We read in the evening.

How to Tell Time in Portuguese: Que horas são? What time is it?

To ask what time it is, use que horas são? The answer will follow the format: É uma hora (it’s one o’clock) or São ___ horas (it is ___ o’clock for times later than one.) The phrase e meia means and half, and it’s used to express half past an hour. Portuguese sometimes uses the 24-hour clock for official/formal times, for instance departures.

• Que horas são? 
  What time is it?
• São meio-dia.
  It’s noon.
• É uma hora.
  It’s 1:00.
• São duas horas.
  It’s 2:00.
• São três e meia.
  It’s 3:30.
• São cinco e quarenta e cinco. São quinze para as seis.
  It’s 5:45.
• À que horas parte o trem?
  When does the train leave?
• O trem parte à uma e meia da tarde.
  O trem parte às treze e trinta.
  The train leaves at one thirty in the afternoon.
• À que horas a loja abre / fecha?
  What time does the store open/close?
• A loja abre às dez da manhã.
  The store opens at ten o’clock in the morning.

The Days of the Week in Portuguese