Time is an essential aspect of our daily lives, and being able to discuss it accurately is crucial when learning a new language. Portuguese, like any other language, has its own set of vocabulary and expressions related to time. Whether you are planning a trip to a Portuguese-speaking country, engaging in business with Portuguese-speaking partners, or simply expanding your linguistic abilities, understanding time-related vocabulary is key. In this article, we will delve into various aspects of time in the Portuguese language, including days of the week, months, seasons, telling time, and common phrases.
Days of the Week
Let’s start with the basics: the days of the week. In Portuguese, the days of the week are:
– **Monday**: Segunda-feira
– **Tuesday**: Terça-feira
– **Wednesday**: Quarta-feira
– **Thursday**: Quinta-feira
– **Friday**: Sexta-feira
– **Saturday**: Sábado
– **Sunday**: Domingo
An interesting fact is that the Portuguese names for Monday through Friday are derived from the Latin liturgical terms for the days of the week, reflecting their numbering in the sequence rather than names of deities or celestial bodies.
Abbreviations
Abbreviations for the days of the week are also commonly used:
– **Monday**: 2ª or Seg.
– **Tuesday**: 3ª or Ter.
– **Wednesday**: 4ª or Qua.
– **Thursday**: 5ª or Qui.
– **Friday**: 6ª or Sex.
– **Saturday**: Sáb.
– **Sunday**: Dom.
Months of the Year
Next, let’s look at the months of the year. In Portuguese, these are:
– **January**: Janeiro
– **February**: Fevereiro
– **March**: Março
– **April**: Abril
– **May**: Maio
– **June**: Junho
– **July**: Julho
– **August**: Agosto
– **September**: Setembro
– **October**: Outubro
– **November**: Novembro
– **December**: Dezembro
Seasons
Understanding the seasons is also important, especially if you’re discussing travel plans or weather. Here are the seasons in Portuguese:
– **Spring**: Primavera
– **Summer**: Verão
– **Autumn/Fall**: Outono
– **Winter**: Inverno
Telling Time
Being able to tell time is fundamental. Here are the basics of how to tell time in Portuguese:
Hours
To ask what time it is, you can say:
– **What time is it?**: Que horas são?
To say the time, you use “São” followed by the hour:
– **It’s one o’clock**: É uma hora.
– **It’s two o’clock**: São duas horas.
For times after one o’clock, “São” (They are) is used instead of “É” (It is).
Minutes
For minutes past the hour, you simply add “e” (and) followed by the number of minutes:
– **It’s 1:15**: É uma e quinze.
– **It’s 2:30**: São duas e trinta.
To indicate minutes to the next hour, use “para” (to):
– **It’s 1:45**: É uma para as duas.
Specific Expressions
Here are some specific expressions related to time:
– **Noon**: Meio-dia
– **Midnight**: Meia-noite
– **Quarter past**: e quinze
– **Half past**: e meia
– **Quarter to**: para as (next hour)
Common Phrases
There are many common phrases and idiomatic expressions in Portuguese that involve time. Here are a few examples:
– **In the morning**: De manhã
– **In the afternoon**: À tarde
– **In the evening**: À noite
– **At night**: De noite
– **Now**: Agora
– **Later**: Mais tarde
– **Soon**: Em breve
– **Tomorrow**: Amanhã
– **Yesterday**: Ontem
– **Day before yesterday**: Anteontem
– **Day after tomorrow**: Depois de amanhã
Frequency
Discussing how often something happens also involves time-related vocabulary. Here are some terms used to describe frequency:
– **Always**: Sempre
– **Often**: Frequentemente
– **Sometimes**: Às vezes
– **Rarely**: Raramente
– **Never**: Nunca
Days, Weeks, and Months
When talking about specific days, weeks, and months, there are additional terms and prepositions to be aware of:
– **Today**: Hoje
– **Tomorrow**: Amanhã
– **Yesterday**: Ontem
– **Next week**: Semana que vem
– **Last week**: Semana passada
– **Next month**: Mês que vem
– **Last month**: Mês passado
Prepositions
Prepositions are essential for constructing sentences related to time. Here are some common prepositions used with time:
– **In**: Em
– **On**: No/Na
– **At**: Às
Examples:
– **In January**: Em janeiro
– **On Monday**: Na segunda-feira
– **At 5 PM**: Às cinco da tarde
Special Occasions and Holidays
Discussing special occasions and holidays often involves specific vocabulary. Here are some common terms:
– **Birthday**: Aniversário
– **Christmas**: Natal
– **New Year**: Ano Novo
– **Holiday**: Feriado
– **Anniversary**: Aniversário de casamento (for a wedding anniversary)
Expressions for Special Occasions
– **Happy Birthday!**: Feliz Aniversário!
– **Merry Christmas!**: Feliz Natal!
– **Happy New Year!**: Feliz Ano Novo!
– **Happy Holidays!**: Boas Festas!
Advanced Time-Related Vocabulary
For more advanced learners, it’s beneficial to understand time-related vocabulary used in various contexts such as business, travel, and daily life.
Business Context
– **Deadline**: Prazo
– **Schedule**: Agenda
– **Meeting**: Reunião
– **Appointment**: Compromisso
– **Timetable**: Cronograma
Travel Context
– **Departure**: Partida
– **Arrival**: Chegada
– **Duration**: Duração
– **Layover**: Escala
– **Check-in**: Check-in
Daily Life Context
– **Routine**: Rotina
– **Habit**: Hábito
– **Break**: Intervalo
– **Lunch time**: Hora do almoço
– **Bedtime**: Hora de dormir
Practice and Application
Learning vocabulary is just the first step. To truly master time-related vocabulary in Portuguese, it’s essential to practice and apply what you’ve learned in real-life situations. Here are some tips for practice:
Use Flashcards
Create flashcards with the Portuguese word on one side and the English translation on the other. This method is great for memorization and recall.
Engage in Conversations
Practice with native speakers or fellow learners. You can discuss your daily schedule, make plans, or talk about past and future events.
Watch Portuguese Media
Watching TV shows, movies, or listening to podcasts in Portuguese can help you get a feel for how time-related vocabulary is used in context.
Write in a Journal
Keep a journal where you write about your day in Portuguese. This will help reinforce your learning and improve your writing skills.
Utilize Language Learning Apps
Apps like Duolingo, Babbel, and Memrise often have specific lessons dedicated to time-related vocabulary.
Conclusion
Mastering time-related vocabulary in Portuguese is an essential step in becoming fluent. By understanding the days of the week, months, seasons, how to tell time, and common phrases, you will be well-equipped to navigate conversations involving time. Remember to practice regularly and immerse yourself in the language as much as possible. Happy learning!
By expanding your knowledge of time-related vocabulary in Portuguese, you are not only enhancing your language skills but also opening doors to more meaningful interactions and experiences in Portuguese-speaking environments. Boa sorte (Good luck)!
