tempo
/ˈtẽ.pu/masculine
The English word "time" is translated into Portuguese as tempo.
tempo refers to the measurement of a quantity of time. It is also the word used to mean "weather".
Meaning: measurement of a quantity of time (noun)
Which one should you use?
While tempo means "time", it is also used to mean "weather".
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Portugal, it is common to use the 24-hour clock system in both formal and informal situations. In Brazil, the 12-hour clock system is more prevalent. For example, the word duas can be used to say two o'clock.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun tempo is masculine and requires masculine articles such as o or um.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 2 syllables, with the stress on the 1st syllable. The IPA is /ˈtẽ.pu/.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistake o tempo for "the time" when it actually refers to "the weather" in many contexts.
Did you know?
- Portuguese distinguishes between tempo for duration and vez for an instance or occurrence of 'time'.
- The root of tempo refers to 'stretching', implying that time is viewed as something that can be stretched or extended.
- In Portuguese, the concept of 'spending time' is expressed using the verb passar, which literally means 'to pass'.
Examples in context
- Dê tempo a ela.Give her time.This sentence is useful for using tempo.Tatoeba #3455442 by piterkeo, translation #3455429 by AlanF_US
- Como o tempo voa.How time flies!Tatoeba #2447330 by MarlonX19, translation #240401 by CM
- Tudo a seu tempo.All things in time.Tatoeba #3443380 by piterkeo, translation #3442895 by pauldhunt
- três horas e vinte minutosthree twenty
- Três da tardeThree in the afternoon
- dez e quinzequarter past ten
- cinco menos quartoquarter to five
- São duas da tardeIt's two in the afternoon.
- Estamos atrasados! Já são nove e trintaWe're late! It's already half past nine.
- Às seis e quinze, encontramo-nos no caféLet's meet at quarter past six in the café
- Que horas são?What time is it?
- Hoje começo a trabalhar às oito da manhãToday I start working at eight in the morning
- 2517 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Juliana and Rodrigo are discussing their work schedules.
- JulianaVocê tem tempo para me ajudar agora?Do you have time to help me now?
- RodrigoAgora não, estou sem tempo.Not now, I am out of time.
- JulianaTudo bem, eu espero um pouco.That's fine, I will wait a bit.
- RodrigoObrigado, preciso de pouco tempo.Thanks, I just need a little time.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “time” translations and entries tempo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries tempo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
