agora
/aˈɡɔ.ɾɐ/
The English word 'now' is translated to Portuguese as agora.
agora is the most common and versatile term for 'now' in Portuguese, referring to the present time. To add emphasis and say 'right now', you can use the expression agora mesmo.
Meaning: at the present time (adv)
Which one should you use?
While agora refers to the present time, the word já is often used to mean 'now' when the intended meaning is 'immediately' or 'right away'.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase agora que functions as a conjunction meaning 'now that', used to introduce a reason or a new circumstance. Additionally, agora and já can both be used as interjections to signal that something should begin.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 3 syllables, with the stress on the 2nd syllable: /aˈɡɔ.ɾɐ/.
Did you know?
- The word agora is a direct descendant of the Latin phrase hāc hōrā, which literally meant 'in this hour'.
- In Brazil, agora can sometimes refer to a vague future time, such as 'later today' or 'in a little while', rather than the exact present second.
- In certain Portuguese dialects, agora is used in the expression agora sim, which is used to express that something is finally happening the right way.
Examples in context
- Agora é a hora.Now is the time.This sentence demonstrates the use of agora to indicate the present time.Tatoeba #1656799 by alexmarcelo, translation #1553404 by CK
- A hora é agora.The time is now.This sentence shows how agora can be used to emphasize the current moment.Tatoeba #5541910 by bill, translation #1710077 by CM
- Agora é sua vez.Now, you try.This sentence illustrates using agora to indicate whose turn it is at the present moment.Tatoeba #1412412 by alexmarcelo, translation #7716666 by CK
- Agora eu entendoNow I understand
- Por favor, venha agoraPlease come now
- Eu preciso disso agoraI need that now
- É importante agir neste momentoIt is important to act now
- O paciente precisa de cuidados médicos neste momentoThe patient needs medical attention now
- Por favor, responda-me imediatamentePlease respond to me immediately
- Saiam todos imediatamenteEveryone, leave right away
- Vem cá já!Come here now!
- Estou já a terminarI'm finishing up right now
- Vou chegar agorinhaI'll arrive in a moment
- Espera agorinha, por favorWait in a moment, please
- Traga-me um café de imediatoBring me a coffee right away
- Precisamos resolver isso de imediatoWe need to solve this immediately
- Estou indo agora mesmoI'm going right now
- Espera agora mesmoWait right now
- 2882 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Felipe and Beatriz are deciding when to leave for the airport.
- FelipeVocê quer ir agora?Do you want to go now?
- BeatrizAcho que é melhor esperar.I think it is better to wait.
- FelipeMas o trânsito está ruim agora.But the traffic is bad now.
- BeatrizTudo bem, vamos agora então.All right, let's go now then.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “now” translations and entries agora, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries agora, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
