Portuguese Grammar Guide

Dates and Time

In this section: Description, Questions, Exercises

Questions

Questions about Dates and Time

Q: Why is it Fi-lo na segunda-feira and NOT Fi-lo sobre/em segunda-feira?
In EP, you normally use em + article (→ contraction):

  • na segunda-feira

👉 Do NOT use:

  • sobre (wrong meaning)

👉 Bare forms (segunda-feira) exist but are less standard in neutral EP.


Q: Why is it sexta-feira, 5 de dezembro and not with a comma in another position or misspelling?
Portuguese date format:

  • sexta-feira, 5 de dezembro

👉 Key points:

  • comma after the weekday is common in EP

  • no comma before the year

  • correct spelling: dezembro (with z)


Q: Why is it Ele chegou no sábado and NOT Ele chegou no Sábado?
Days and months are not capitalised:

  • sábado

👉 Also note:

  • accent is required: sábado


Q: Why is it É uma hora and NOT São uma hora?
For 1:00, Portuguese uses singular:

  • É uma hora.

For all other times:

  • São duas horas.


Q: Why is it São sete menos um quarto and NOT São sete menos quatro?
These mean different things:

  • menos um quarto → 6:45

  • menos quatro → 6:56

👉 Be careful:

  • quarto = quarter

  • quatro = four


🔑 Key differences (EP vs Spanish)

  • “On + day” → na segunda-feira (EP uses contraction)

  • Dates → comma after weekday is common in EP

  • Lowercase for days/months

  • Time → singular at 1:00, plural otherwise

  • quarto vs quatro distinction crucial

In this section: Description, Questions, Exercises

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