What does it mean word for word?
The phrase breaks down literally as "the time/weather is bad", where tempo can mean both "time" and "weather" depending on the context.
Which one should you use?
You can also use o tempo está péssimo to mean "the weather is terrible".
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Portugal, you can say Está um tempo péssimo. to convey "It's lousy weather."
How does it change in a sentence?
In this phrase, the verb está (from the verb estar) is used because weather is considered a temporary state rather than a permanent characteristic. You can also use Péssimo to mean "lousy".
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using the verb ser (e.g., o tempo é ruim) to describe the weather. Using é instead of está would imply that the weather is inherently and permanently bad, which is grammatically unnatural for describing daily weather.
Did you know?
- While ruim means 'bad', in some regional Brazilian dialects, calling a person ruim can imply they are mean-spirited or cruel rather than just unskilled.
- In Portuguese, describing the weather as ruim is a common way to initiate a 'small talk' social ritual to bond with strangers through shared complaining.
- The word ruim is a linguistic relative of the English word 'ruin'. Both descend from the Latin word ruīna, which referred to a collapsing building.
Examples in context
- O tempo está ruim hoje, mas amanhã estará lindo.The weather is bad today, but tomorrow will be beautiful.This sentence is useful for showing how to contrast the bad weather today with beautiful weather tomorrow using o tempo está ruim.Tatoeba #12879480 by Advanced, translation #7347730 by Eccles17
- Hoje o clima está horrívelToday the weather is awful
- O tempo está ruim para viajar.The weather is bad for traveling.
- Não saia agora, o tempo está ruim.Don't go out now, the weather is bad.
Example conversation
Mariana and Felipe are talking about their plans for a walk.
- MarianaFelipe, você viu as nuvens?Felipe, did you see the clouds?
- FelipeSim, o tempo está ruim hoje.Yes, the weather is bad today.
- MarianaMelhor ficarmos em casa, então.Better if we stay home, then.
- FelipeConcordo, Mariana, é mais seguro.I agree, Mariana, it is safer.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries está, o, ruim, tempo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
