Telling time in Portuguese can be a challenging task, especially for beginners. However, with practice and dedication, you can master the skill and become proficient in expressing time in Portuguese. In this article, we will explore seven ways to tell time in Portuguese, including the basics of hours, minutes, and seconds, as well as more advanced concepts like half hours and quarter hours.
The Portuguese language has its unique way of telling time, which may differ from what you're used to in English. For instance, the Portuguese use a 24-hour clock, and the verb "ser" (to be) is used to express the time. Let's dive into the seven ways to tell time in Portuguese:
Understanding the Basics of Time in Portuguese
Before we delve into the seven ways to tell time in Portuguese, let's cover the basics. The Portuguese use a 24-hour clock, which means that the day starts at 00:00 (midnight) and ends at 23:59 (11:59 PM). The verb "ser" (to be) is used to express the time, and the word "hora" (hour) is used to refer to the hour.
For example: "Que horas são?" (What time is it?) " São quatro horas." (It's four o'clock.)
1. Telling Time in Hours
Telling time in hours is the most basic way to express time in Portuguese. To tell time in hours, you simply need to use the verb "ser" (to be) followed by the hour.
For example: "São três horas." (It's three o'clock.) "São dez horas." (It's ten o'clock.)
Telling Time in Minutes
Telling time in minutes is a bit more complex than telling time in hours. To tell time in minutes, you need to use the verb "ser" (to be) followed by the hour and then the minute.
For example: "São três horas e quinze minutos." (It's three fifteen.) "São dez horas e trinta minutos." (It's ten thirty.)
2. Telling Time in Half Hours
Telling time in half hours is another way to express time in Portuguese. To tell time in half hours, you need to use the verb "ser" (to be) followed by the hour and then the word "meia" (half).
For example: "São três horas e meia." (It's half past three.) "São dez horas e meia." (It's half past ten.)
Telling Time in Quarter Hours
Telling time in quarter hours is another way to express time in Portuguese. To tell time in quarter hours, you need to use the verb "ser" (to be) followed by the hour and then the word "quarto" (quarter).
For example: "São três horas e quarto." (It's a quarter past three.) "São dez horas e quarto." (It's a quarter past ten.)
3. Telling Time in Seconds
Telling time in seconds is the most precise way to express time in Portuguese. To tell time in seconds, you need to use the verb "ser" (to be) followed by the hour, minute, and second.
For example: "São três horas, cinco minutos e vinte segundos." (It's three five twenty.) "São dez horas, trinta minutos e quarenta segundos." (It's ten thirty forty.)
Using Prepositions to Tell Time
Using prepositions is another way to tell time in Portuguese. To use prepositions, you need to use the verb "ser" (to be) followed by the preposition "para" (for) or "até" (until) and then the hour.
For example: "São três horas para a reunião." (It's three o'clock for the meeting.) "São dez horas até a festa." (It's ten o'clock until the party.)
4. Telling Time with "Da Manhã", "Da Tarde", and "Da Noite"
Telling time with "da manhã" (morning), "da tarde" (afternoon), and "da noite" (night) is another way to express time in Portuguese. To tell time with these words, you need to use the verb "ser" (to be) followed by the word "da manhã", "da tarde", or "da noite" and then the hour.
For example: "São três da manhã." (It's three in the morning.) "São dez da tarde." (It's ten in the afternoon.) "São dez da noite." (It's ten at night.)
Telling Time with "Meia-Noite" and "Meio-Dia"
Telling time with "meia-noite" (midnight) and "meio-dia" (midday) is another way to express time in Portuguese. To tell time with these words, you need to use the verb "ser" (to be) followed by the word "meia-noite" or "meio-dia".
For example: "São meia-noite." (It's midnight.) "São meio-dia." (It's midday.)
5. Telling Time with "Perto de" and "Quase"
Telling time with "perto de" (near) and "quase" (almost) is another way to express time in Portuguese. To tell time with these words, you need to use the verb "ser" (to be) followed by the word "perto de" or "quase" and then the hour.
For example: "São perto de três horas." (It's almost three o'clock.) "São quase dez horas." (It's almost ten o'clock.)
Common Expressions Used to Tell Time
There are several common expressions used to tell time in Portuguese. Here are a few examples:
"Que horas são?" (What time is it?) "São três horas." (It's three o'clock.) "São dez horas e meia." (It's half past ten.) "São três da manhã." (It's three in the morning.) "São perto de três horas." (It's almost three o'clock.)
6. Telling Time in Informal Settings
Telling time in informal settings is a bit different from telling time in formal settings. In informal settings, you can use contractions and colloquial expressions to tell time.
For example: "Que horas é?" (What time is it?) "É três horas." (It's three o'clock.) "É dez horas e meia." (It's half past ten.)
7. Telling Time in Formal Settings
Telling time in formal settings is more formal and polite. In formal settings, you should use the verb "ser" (to be) followed by the hour, and avoid using contractions.
For example: "Que horas são?" (What time is it?) "São três horas." (It's three o'clock.) "São dez horas e meia." (It's half past ten.)
Conclusion: Mastering the art of telling time in Portuguese requires practice and dedication. With these seven ways to tell time in Portuguese, you'll be able to express time with confidence and accuracy. Remember to use the verb "ser" (to be) followed by the hour, and to use prepositions and colloquial expressions to add variety to your expressions. Whether you're in an informal or formal setting, telling time in Portuguese will become second nature with time and practice.
We hope this article has been helpful in your journey to learn Portuguese. If you have any questions or comments, please don't hesitate to share them with us. Boa sorte (good luck) with your Portuguese learning journey!
FAQs:
How do you tell time in Portuguese?
+To tell time in Portuguese, you use the verb "ser" (to be) followed by the hour. For example: "São três horas." (It's three o'clock.)
What is the difference between "da manhã", "da tarde", and "da noite"?
+"Da manhã" refers to the morning, "da tarde" refers to the afternoon, and "da noite" refers to the night.
How do you tell time in informal settings?
+In informal settings, you can use contractions and colloquial expressions to tell time. For example: "Que horas é?" (What time is it?)
Gallery of 7 Ways To Tell Time In Portuguese
