Portuguese · Time, Numbers & Colors
"Time" in Portuguese: tempo
o tempo
Note: clock time: a hora
Time in Portuguese is often o tempo for the abstract idea, while a hora covers clock time. Ask Que horas são? for What time is it? Save tempo for duration and schedules too: Não tenho tempo.
Busy week
Não tenho tempo para sair hoje.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce tempo
Say it
TEM-poo / OH-rah
/ˈtẽ.pu/
TEM-poo for tempo; OH-rah for hora.
"Time" in Portuguese: quick reference
| Portuguese | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| o tempo | time / weather Abstract time and weather. | Abstract time and weather. |
| a hora | hour / clock time Clock questions and appointments. | Clock questions and appointments. |
| Que horas são? | What time is it? Essential question. | Essential question. |
| ter tempo | to have time Availability. | Availability. |
| na hora | on time / right away Punctuality or immediacy. | Punctuality or immediacy. |
How to use tempo in real life
- 1Busy week
Não tenho tempo para sair hoje.
I don't have time to go out today.
Ter tempo is availability.
- 2Scheduling
Quanto tempo você precisa para chegar?
How much time do you need to arrive?
Quanto tempo asks about duration.
- 3Being punctual
Chegue na hora, por favor. Não temos muito tempo.
Please arrive on time. We don't have much time.
Tempo here is the remaining window before the start.
Mistakes English speakers make with tempo
Incorrect: Que tempo é?
Correct: Que horas são?
For clock time ask Que horas são?, not que tempo.
Incorrect: Eu não tenho hora para isso (when you mean free time)
Correct: Eu não tenho tempo para isso.
Use tempo for available time as a resource.
Good to know
Learners mix tempo and hora constantly. Remember: tempo for the resource and weather; hora for the clock. Brazilian plans may start a bit late socially, but work and transport still praise chegar na hora.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Trying to catch a movie
ChatPal
A que horas começa o filme?
What time does the movie start?
You
Às oito. A gente tem tempo se sair agora.
At eight. We have time if we leave now.
ChatPal
Ótimo. Odeio chegar sem tempo de comprar pipoca.
Great. I hate arriving without time to buy popcorn.
You
Então vamos. Tempo perdido no elevador não ajuda.
Then let's go. Time lost in the elevator doesn't help.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Time" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Time" in Portuguese
What is the difference between tempo and hora?
Tempo is time as a resource or weather. Hora is clock time and hours.
How do I ask what time it is?
Que horas são?
How do I say I don't have time?
Não tenho tempo.
How do I say on time?
Na hora or pontualmente. Chegar na hora is common.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
- Step 1: See it in context
- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
