no sentido horário
/nu sẽˈt͡ʃi.du oˈɾa.ɾju/word by word
The English phrase clockwise is translated into Portuguese as no sentido horário. Wiktionary also lists no sentido dos ponteiros do relógio.
Meaning: in a circular fashion in the same direction as the hands of an analogue clock (adv)
Ways to say it
| Portuguese | IPA |
|---|---|
| no sentido horário | /nu sẽˈt͡ʃi.du oˈɾa.ɾju/ (Brazil, word by word) |
| no sentido dos ponteiros do relógio |
The term is an adverb used to describe movement in a circular fashion in the same direction as the hands of an analogue clock.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase no sentido horário literally translates to 'in the clockwise sense' or 'in the clockwise direction'.
Which one should you use?
You can also use the more descriptive phrase no sentido dos ponteiros do relógio to mean 'in the direction of the clock hands'. To express the opposite, counter-clockwise, use no sentido anti-horário.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form no sentido dos ponteiros do relógio is a more descriptive, slightly more formal way to refer specifically to the movement of the clock hands.
How do you pronounce it?
/nu sẽˈtʃi.du oˈɾa.ɾju/
Did you know?
- In Portuguese, if someone is described as sem sentido, it can mean they are unconscious or that their argument lacks logic.
- While no sentido horário describes a direction, the word horário is also the standard Portuguese noun for a 'timetable' or 'schedule'.
- The word relógio is a distant relative of the English word 'horology'. Both derive from the Greek hōrológion, which originally referred to a sundial rather than a mechanical clock.
Examples in context
- O carrossel gira no sentido horário.The merry-go-round rotates clockwise.This sentence is useful for describing the rotation of a merry-go-round using no sentido horário.Tatoeba #5365354 by carlosalberto, translation #3166248 by freddy1
- É para girar no sentido horário ou anti-horário?Do you have to turn it clockwise or counter-clockwise?This sentence is useful for asking whether a rotation should be clockwise or counter-clockwise using no sentido horário.Tatoeba #5306709 by ToinhoAlam, translation #2782166 by Dejo
- Como se aperta este parafuso? No sentido horário ou no sentido anti-horário?How do you tighten this screw? Clockwise or counterclockwise?This sentence is useful for asking about the direction to tighten a screw using no sentido horário.Tatoeba #1941258 by alexmarcelo, translation #9671261 by DJ_Saidez
- Para resolver o problema, gire o botão no sentido horário.To solve the problem, turn the knob clockwise.
- Para aumentar o volume, gire o botão no sentido dos ponteiros do relógio.To increase the volume, turn the knob clockwise.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Beatriz and Felipe are trying to open a tight jar.
- BeatrizFelipe, eu não consigo abrir este pote.Felipe, I can't open this jar.
- FelipeTente girar a tampa no sentido anti-horário.Try turning the lid counter-clockwise.
- BeatrizAh, então para fechar é no sentido horário?Ah, so to close it is clockwise?
- FelipeIsso mesmo, Beatriz. No sentido horário.That's right, Beatriz. Clockwise.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “clockwise” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (no, sentido, horário) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries do, horário, no, relógio, sentido, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
