que horas são?
/ki ˈɔ.ɾɐs ˈsɐ̃w̃/word by word
To ask "what time is it?" in Portuguese, use que horas são?
Que horas são? is the most common and neutral way to ask for the current time in Portuguese.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to "what hours are (they)?" because Portuguese treats time as a plural concept.
Which one should you use?
While que horas são? is the standard form, you may also hear the colloquial Que horas tem?, which uses the verb for "to have" instead of "to be."
Is it said differently in some regions?
In many Brazilian dialects, people colloquially use Que horas tem? instead of the standard que horas são?
How do you pronounce it?
The phrase is pronounced /ki ˈɔ.ɾɐs ˈsɐ̃w̃/. It has four syllables, with the stress on the second syllable.
Did you know?
- The word que used in this question is a distant linguistic relative of the English word 'who'.
- If you are asking for the time in a formal setting, it is common to precede que horas são? with the polite expression com licença meaning 'with permission'.
- In very informal Brazilian settings, the phrase is often shortened to just que horas?
Examples in context
- Desculpe, que horas são?Excuse me, what time is it?
- Poderia me dizer as horas, por favor?Could you tell me the time, please?
- Oi, que horas são, meu amigo?Hey, what time is it, my friend?
- São seis e dez da noite.It's six ten in the evening.
- Você sabe me dizer a hora?Do you know what time it is?
Example conversation
Felipe and Camila are walking in a park.
- FelipeCamila, que horas são?Camila, what time is it?
- CamilaSão três da tarde.It is three in the afternoon.
- FelipeNossa, já é essa hora?Wow, is it that time already?
- CamilaSim, o tempo voa!Yes, time flies!
