Times in Portuguese
Learning how to tell time in Portuguese is useful in everyday situations such as making appointments, reading schedules, planning travel, and discussing daily routines.
Portuguese time is usually written using numbers just like English, but the way it is spoken follows specific patterns.
Example:
7:37
São sete e trinta e sete
This page explains how to read, write, and say time in Portuguese.
Asking the Time in Portuguese
To ask what time it is in Portuguese, you can say:
Que horas são?
This literally means “What hours are they?”
Example response:
São três horas.
Meaning:
It is three o'clock.
Full Hours in Portuguese
When telling the time exactly on the hour, Portuguese uses the structure:
São + number + horas
Examples:
| Time | Portuguese |
|---|---|
| 2:00 | São duas horas |
| 3:00 | São três horas |
| 4:00 | São quatro horas |
| 5:00 | São cinco horas |
For 1:00, Portuguese uses a slightly different expression.
Example:
É uma hora.
Minutes Past the Hour
To express minutes past the hour, add e + minutes.
Examples:
3:10
São três e dez
5:25
São cinco e vinte e cinco
7:37
São sete e trinta e sete
This hour + minutes structure is the most common way to say time in Portuguese.
Quarter Past and Half Past
Portuguese also uses special expressions for 15 and 30 minutes.
Examples:
3:15
São três e um quarto
3:30
São três e meia
Quarter to the Hour
When there are 15 minutes before the next hour, Portuguese uses menos um quarto.
Example:
3:45
São quatro menos um quarto
This literally means “four minus a quarter.”
Noon and Midnight
Two special expressions are used for 12:00.
| Time | Portuguese |
|---|---|
| 12:00 PM | meio-dia |
| 12:00 AM | meia-noite |
Examples:
É meio-dia.
É meia-noite.
Writing Time in Portuguese
Portuguese time can be written using the same numeric format used in English.
Examples:
7:00
12:30
18:45
Portuguese-speaking countries often use the 24-hour clock in schedules, transportation, and formal settings.
Examples:
| Time | Spoken |
|---|---|
| 14:00 | quatorze horas |
| 18:30 | dezoito e trinta |
Practice Times in Portuguese
You can practice telling time in Portuguese using the interactive tools below.
Try the Portugese Times Interactive Translate Tool
Test Your Knowledge. Take the Portuguese Numbers Quiz
Insert block:
TeachNumbers Quiz Block
Settings
Language: Portuguese
Related Portuguese Pages
Further reference: Learn101 Portuguese numbers.