यह पेज आपकी भाषा में

English

فارسی

العربية

Deutsch

Español

Français

日本語

한국어

Português

中文

A1 adverb #1,000 सबसे आम 10 मिनट पढ़ने का समय

Ontem

शीर्ष 1,000

At the A1 level, 'ontem' is one of the first 'time words' you will learn. It is essential for moving beyond the present tense. You will use it with very simple verbs in the Pretérito Perfeito (Past Simple). For example: 'Ontem eu comi', 'Ontem eu fui', 'Ontem eu vi'. The focus here is simply on identifying the word and understanding that it signals the past. You don't need to worry about complex nuances yet. Just remember that 'ontem' means 'yesterday' and it usually goes at the beginning or the end of your sentence. It's a 'magic' word that tells your listener: 'I am talking about something that is already finished.' You will also learn 'ontem à noite' (last night) as a fixed phrase. This is a crucial building block for basic conversation, allowing you to answer the common question: 'O que fizeste ontem?' (What did you do yesterday?).

At the A2 level, you start to expand how you use 'ontem' by combining it with more specific time markers and a wider variety of verbs. You will learn to say 'ontem de manhã' (yesterday morning), 'ontem à tarde' (yesterday afternoon), and 'ontem ao fim do dia' (yesterday at the end of the day). You also begin to use 'ontem' with the Pretérito Imperfeito to describe states or ongoing actions in the past, such as 'Ontem estava muito calor' (Yesterday it was very hot). You will learn the word 'anteontem' (the day before yesterday) to complement 'ontem'. At this stage, you should be able to give a short, 3-4 sentence summary of your previous day's activities using 'ontem' as your primary anchor. You also start to recognize 'ontem' in simple stories and news headlines.

At the B1 level, 'ontem' becomes a tool for more complex narrative structures. You will use it to contrast the past with the present using connectors like 'mas' (but) or 'embora' (although). For example: 'Ontem eu queria sair, mas hoje prefiro ficar em casa.' You also start using 'ontem' in reported speech (indirect speech), though you will learn that in formal writing, 'ontem' might change to 'o dia anterior'. You will become familiar with common idiomatic expressions like 'Não nasci ontem' (I wasn't born yesterday). Your pronunciation should be more natural, correctly handling the nasal 'em' at the end of the word. You can now use 'ontem' to discuss not just your own actions, but also events in your community or news, providing more detail and context.

At the B2 level, you understand the stylistic choices involving 'ontem'. You know when to place it at the start of a sentence for emphasis or at the end for a more neutral tone. You are comfortable using 'ontem' with compound tenses, such as the Pretérito Mais-que-perfeito Composto (though this is rarer in speech). You can use 'ontem' in more abstract discussions about history or social changes, such as 'O ontem da nossa sociedade era diferente' (The yesterday of our society was different). You also understand the subtle difference between 'ontem' and 'na véspera' in complex storytelling. You can follow fast-paced conversations or movies where 'ontem' is used in rapid-fire dialogue, and you can use it yourself to clarify timelines during debates or professional presentations.

At the C1 level, you have a near-native grasp of 'ontem'. you recognize its use in high-level literature, where it might be used to evoke a sense of 'saudade' or to contrast different eras. You understand the philosophical implications of 'ontem' as a concept of time. You can use the word in formal legal or academic writing, knowing exactly when it is appropriate and when a more formal alternative like 'no dia precedente' is required. You are also aware of regional variations in how 'ontem' might be pronounced or used in different parts of the Lusophone world (Portugal, Brazil, Angola, etc.). Your use of 'ontem' is seamless, and you can use it to create nuance in your speech, such as using 'ontem mesmo' to express surprise or 'desde ontem' to emphasize a persistent state.

At the C2 level, you master the absolute nuances of 'ontem'. You can appreciate and use the word in poetry and advanced creative writing, where it can serve as a powerful metaphor for memory and loss. You understand the etymological roots (from Latin 'ad noctem') and how this history influences its meaning. You can engage in deep linguistic discussions about the role of temporal adverbs in Portuguese grammar. You can effortlessly switch between 'ontem' and its most formal or archaic synonyms depending on the audience. You have total control over the prosody and rhythm of sentences containing 'ontem', using it to guide the listener's attention with native-level precision. At this level, 'ontem' is not just a word, but a versatile instrument in your linguistic repertoire.

इसका अभ्यास करें उदाहरण नोट्स और सुझाव

Ontem 30 सेकंड में

Ontem means 'yesterday' and is used to talk about the day before today in Portuguese.
It usually requires the past tense (Pretérito Perfeito) for completed actions.
It can be placed at the beginning or end of a sentence for different emphasis.
Common phrases include 'ontem à noite' (last night) and 'desde ontem' (since yesterday).

The word ontem is one of the most fundamental temporal anchors in the Portuguese language. At its core, it translates directly to the English word yesterday. However, its importance extends far beyond a simple calendar reference. In Portuguese culture and communication, ontem serves as the primary gateway to the past tense, specifically triggering the use of the Pretérito Perfeito (the simple past). When a speaker says 'ontem', they are immediately setting a specific, completed timeframe for their action, which dictates the grammatical structure of the entire sentence. This word is used in every conceivable social context, from the most formal legal testimonies to the most casual coffee-shop gossip.

Temporal Placement: It refers to the period of twenty-four hours ending at the last midnight. It is a fixed point in time that does not move relative to the speaker's current day.

Eu fui ao cinema ontem à noite com os meus amigos.

In daily life, you will hear ontem used to justify absences, report news, or simply share experiences. It is often paired with specific times of day to provide more precision. For example, ontem de manhã (yesterday morning), ontem à tarde (yesterday afternoon), and ontem à noite (yesterday evening/last night). Unlike English, which has the specific word 'tonight' or 'last night', Portuguese relies heavily on the combination of ontem plus the period of the day. This makes the word even more frequent in Portuguese than its counterpart might be in English conversations.

Social Function: In Portuguese social dynamics, referencing 'ontem' is a way to build rapport. Sharing what happened yesterday is a standard part of the 'small talk' ritual (jogar conversa fora).

Ontem o trânsito estava horrível, por isso cheguei tarde.

Furthermore, ontem can be used metaphorically in literature and music to represent the 'recent past' or a lost time. Fado music, for instance, often contrasts the 'today' of sorrow with the 'yesterday' of happiness or 'saudade'. Understanding this word is not just about knowing a calendar date; it is about understanding how Portuguese speakers segment their reality into 'now' and 'not now'. It is the first step for any learner to move beyond the present tense and start telling their own story in the Lusophone world.

Grammatical Trigger: In European Portuguese, 'ontem' almost exclusively demands the Pretérito Perfeito Simples. In Brazilian Portuguese, while the same rule applies, it can occasionally appear with the Pretérito Imperfeito in descriptive contexts.

Using ontem correctly requires an understanding of sentence structure and verb agreement. In Portuguese, adverbs of time like ontem are quite flexible in their placement, but their position can subtly change the emphasis of the sentence. Placing it at the beginning of the sentence emphasizes the when, while placing it at the end emphasizes the action. For example, 'Ontem eu comi pizza' (Yesterday, I ate pizza) highlights the day, perhaps contrasting it with what you ate today. 'Eu comi pizza ontem' (I ate pizza yesterday) is a more neutral statement of fact.

Sentence Initial: Ontem, o tempo estava maravilhoso em Lisboa. (Emphasis on the specific day).

Ontem foi um dia muito produtivo para a nossa equipa.

One of the most critical aspects of using ontem is its relationship with the verb 'ser' (to be). When talking about the day itself, we say 'Ontem foi...' (Yesterday was...). This is the third-person singular of the Pretérito Perfeito. Learners often mistakenly use the Imperfeito 'era', but 'foi' is the standard choice because 'yesterday' is a completed unit of time. If you are describing the state of things yesterday, you might use 'estava' (was/feeling), such as 'Ontem eu estava cansado' (Yesterday I was tired).

Sentence Final: Nós terminámos o relatório ontem. (Focus on the completion of the report).

Eles chegaram de viagem ontem muito tarde.

You can also use ontem as a noun in certain prepositional phrases. For instance, 'desde ontem' (since yesterday) or 'até ontem' (until yesterday). These phrases are vital for expressing duration and limits. 'Eu não como nada desde ontem' (I haven't eaten anything since yesterday). Notice that in this specific case, the 'desde' might allow for a present tense verb in some contexts, but usually, it still points back to that past starting point. Mastery of ontem is essentially mastery of the timeline of your life in Portuguese.

With Prepositions: O trabalho devia ter sido entregue até ontem. (The work should have been delivered by yesterday).

In the Lusophone world, ontem is omnipresent. You will hear it the moment you step into a 'padaria' (bakery) in Brazil or a 'pastelaria' in Portugal. It is the heartbeat of daily reporting. In news broadcasts, journalists use ontem to anchor the events of the previous day: 'Ontem, o Presidente anunciou novas medidas...' (Yesterday, the President announced new measures...). Because news cycles are often 24 hours, ontem is perhaps the most frequent temporal adverb in journalism after 'hoje' (today).

In the Workplace: Meetings often begin with a recap: 'O que é que nós decidimos ontem?' (What did we decide yesterday?). It serves as the reference point for progress.

Recebi o seu e-mail ontem ao fim do dia.

In pop culture, specifically in Brazilian Telenovelas or Portuguese 'novelas', ontem is used to recap plot points or for dramatic revelations. Characters often confront each other about what happened 'ontem à noite'. It carries the weight of secrets and actions that cannot be undone. In music, particularly in the lyrics of Bossa Nova or MPB (Música Popular Brasileira), ontem is used to evoke nostalgia. Think of lyrics that say 'Ontem era só alegria' (Yesterday was only joy), contrasting a happy past with a melancholy present.

In Public Transport: You'll hear commuters complaining: 'Ontem o comboio também se atrasou.' (Yesterday the train was also late).

Vi-te no shopping ontem, mas estavas com pressa.

Finally, in the digital age, ontem appears constantly in social media notifications and messaging apps. WhatsApp will show 'ontem' next to messages received the previous day. This digital usage has solidified the word's role as the primary marker of the immediate past. Whether you are reading a historical text about 'o ontem' (the past) or checking your phone to see when a friend called, ontem is the essential link between the present moment and everything that came before it.

Digital Context: Apps use 'ontem' to simplify timestamps, making the interface feel more human and conversational.

Even though ontem seems simple, English speakers often stumble over its grammatical implications. The most frequent mistake is verb tense mismatch. In English, we can say 'I was working yesterday' (continuous) or 'I worked yesterday' (simple). In Portuguese, if you use ontem, you must decide between trabalhei (completed action) and trabalhava (ongoing/habitual). Beginners often default to the present tense out of habit, saying 'Ontem eu vou...' which is a major error. It must be 'Ontem eu fui'.

The 'Last Night' Trap: English speakers often look for a single word for 'last night'. While 'ontem à noite' is correct, some try to say 'última noite', which sounds like 'the final night of my life' in many contexts.

Errado: Eu como pizza ontem.
Correto: Eu comi pizza ontem.

Another common error involves the word 'anteontem' (the day before yesterday). English speakers often say 'the day before yesterday', which is a mouthful. In Portuguese, failing to use the single word anteontem makes you sound less fluent. Similarly, confusing ontem with amanhã (tomorrow) is a classic 'beginner's swap' because both are temporal adverbs that start with vowels in many people's minds. Practicing the 'o' sound of ontem versus the 'a' sound of amanhã is crucial.

Preposition Overuse: Do not say 'em ontem' or 'no ontem'. Unlike 'na segunda-feira' (on Monday), 'ontem' does not take a preposition for simple time marking.

Errado: Vi-o em ontem.
Correto: Vi-o ontem.

Lastly, be careful with the word passado. While you can say 'no mês passado' (last month), you cannot say 'no dia passado' to mean yesterday in casual conversation; ontem is the only natural choice. Using 'dia passado' sounds like you are reading from a poorly translated 19th-century novel. Stick to ontem for all your 'yesterday' needs to ensure you sound like a modern, natural speaker of Portuguese.

Confusion with 'Houve': Sometimes learners confuse 'ontem' with 'há um dia' (one day ago). While both refer to the same time, 'ontem' is the specific name of the day.

While ontem is the standard term, Portuguese offers several related words that help you navigate the past with more precision. The most important 'sibling' word is anteontem, which means 'the day before yesterday'. In English, this is a phrase, but in Portuguese, it is a single, very common word. If you want to go even further back, you might say 'há três dias' (three days ago). Understanding this hierarchy of past-time adverbs is essential for fluid storytelling.

Ontem vs. Anteontem: 'Ontem' is 24 hours ago; 'Anteontem' is 48 hours ago. Both are used with the same past tenses.

Não foi ontem, foi anteontem que eu te liguei.

In more formal or literary contexts, you might encounter na véspera. This means 'on the eve' or 'the day before'. While ontem is always relative to today, na véspera is relative to any day you are talking about. For example, 'Ele casou no sábado and na véspera (sexta-feira) houve uma festa'. Another alternative is outrora, which is a very poetic way of saying 'in days gone by' or 'formerly'. It is much broader than ontem and suggests a distant, nostalgic past.

Ontem vs. Antigamente: Use 'ontem' for the Pretérito Perfeito (I did). Use 'antigamente' for the Pretérito Imperfeito (I used to do).

Ontem comi peixe, mas antigamente não gostava de peixe.

Finally, consider the phrase o dia anterior. This is often used in reported speech. If you are telling a story today about something that happened last week, and you want to refer to the day before that event, you use 'o dia anterior' rather than ontem. This distinction is subtle but marks the difference between a basic learner and an advanced speaker. By mastering ontem and its alternatives, you gain the ability to construct complex, multi-layered narratives in Portuguese that respect the flow of time.

Summary of Past Adverbs: Ontem (Yesterday), Anteontem (Day before yesterday), Passado (Past/Last), Anterior (Previous).

How Formal Is It?

औपचारिक

"Ontem, procedeu-se à leitura da ata."

तटस्थ

"Ontem eu fui ao supermercado."

अनौपचारिक

"Ontem a festa foi brutal!"

Child friendly

"Ontem o coelhinho comeu a cenoura."

बोलचाल

"Ontem eu tava 'naquela'..."

रोचक तथ्य

The Spanish word 'ayer' and the French 'hier' come from the Latin 'heri', but Portuguese and Italian (ieri) took different paths from Latin roots.

उच्चारण मार्गदर्शिका

UK /ˈõ.tɐ̃j̃/

US /ˈõ.tẽj̃/

The stress is on the first syllable: ON-tem.

तुकबंदी

Contem Montem Apontem Desmontem Remontem Afrontem Confrontem Descontem

आम गलतियाँ

Pronouncing the final 'm' as a hard English 'm'. It should be a nasal vowel.
Making the 'o' too open like in 'hot'. It should be closed like in 'boat'.
Stress on the second syllable.
Forgetting the nasalization entirely.
Pronouncing it like 'ont-em' with two distinct, non-nasal syllables.

कठिनाई स्तर

पठन 1/5

Very easy to recognize in text.

लिखना 2/5

Requires knowledge of past tense conjugation.

बोलना 2/5

Nasal pronunciation can be tricky for beginners.

श्रवण 1/5

Distinct sound makes it easy to hear.

आगे क्या सीखें

पूर्वापेक्षाएँ

Eu Dia Ser Ir Ter

आगे सीखें

Hoje Amanhã Anteontem Semana passada Mês passado

उन्नत

Véspera Outrora Antigamente Precedente Anterior

ज़रूरी व्याकरण

Pretérito Perfeito Simples

Eu comi (I ate) - used for actions completed yesterday.

Pretérito Imperfeito

Eu comia (I was eating/used to eat) - used for descriptions yesterday.

Adverb Placement

Ontem eu fui / Eu fui ontem - both are correct.

Nasal Vowels

The 'em' in 'ontem' follows the nasalization rule for word endings.

Temporal Anchoring

'Ontem' acts as a reference point for other past actions.

स्तर के अनुसार उदाहरण

Eu comi uma maçã ontem.

I ate an apple yesterday.

Uses the Pretérito Perfeito (comi).

Ontem foi segunda-feira.

Yesterday was Monday.

Uses 'foi' (past of ser) to identify the day.

Eles foram ao parque ontem.

They went to the park yesterday.

Uses 'foram' (past of ir).

Ontem eu estudei português.

Yesterday I studied Portuguese.

Adverb at the start for emphasis.

Você viu o filme ontem?

Did you see the movie yesterday?

Question format in the past.

Ontem não choveu.

Yesterday it didn't rain.

Negative sentence with 'não'.

Nós bebemos café ontem à tarde.

We drank coffee yesterday afternoon.

Uses the phrase 'ontem à tarde'.

Ontem eu dormi muito.

Yesterday I slept a lot.

Simple past of 'dormir'.

Ontem de manhã, eu fui ao ginásio.

Yesterday morning, I went to the gym.

Specific time of day: 'ontem de manhã'.

Eu não te vi na escola ontem.

I didn't see you at school yesterday.

Direct object pronoun 'te' with past tense.

Ontem estava muito frio lá fora.

Yesterday it was very cold outside.

Uses Pretérito Imperfeito 'estava' for description.

Nós terminámos o dever de casa ontem.

We finished the homework yesterday.

First person plural past tense.

Ontem à noite, jantámos num restaurante.

Last night, we had dinner at a restaurant.

Phrase 'ontem à noite' for 'last night'.

Eu comprei este livro ontem.

I bought this book yesterday.

Demonstrative 'este' with past tense.

Ontem foi o aniversário da minha mãe.

Yesterday was my mother's birthday.

Possessive 'minha' and 'foi'.

Eles chegaram ontem de Paris.

They arrived yesterday from Paris.

Verb 'chegar' with origin 'de'.

Ontem eu ia ligar-te, mas esqueci-me.

Yesterday I was going to call you, but I forgot.

Uses 'ia' (was going to) to express intention.

Desde ontem que me sinto um pouco doente.

I've been feeling a bit sick since yesterday.

Use of 'desde ontem' for duration.

Ontem, enquanto eu trabalhava, o telefone tocou.

Yesterday, while I was working, the phone rang.

Contrast between Imperfeito (trabalhava) and Perfeito (tocou).

Parece que foi ontem que nos conhecemos.

It feels like it was yesterday that we met.

Idiomatic use of 'parece que foi ontem'.

Ontem mesmo eu vi essa notícia na televisão.

Just yesterday I saw that news on TV.

Emphasis with 'mesmo'.

Se eu soubesse, teria ido ontem.

If I had known, I would have gone yesterday.

Conditional sentence (Se + Imperfeito Subjuntivo).

Ontem o trânsito estava pior do que hoje.

Yesterday the traffic was worse than today.

Comparison between yesterday and today.

Eles disseram que tinham terminado ontem.

They said they had finished yesterday.

Indirect speech with 'tinham terminado'.

Ontem, por esta hora, já tínhamos chegado.

Yesterday, by this time, we had already arrived.

Compound past tense for relative time.

A reunião de ontem foi bastante esclarecedora.

Yesterday's meeting was quite enlightening.

Using 'de ontem' as an adjective phrase.

Ontem, o mercado financeiro sofreu uma queda brusca.

Yesterday, the financial market suffered a sharp drop.

Formal vocabulary (sofreu, queda brusca).

Não deixes para amanhã o que podes fazer ontem.

Don't leave for tomorrow what you could have done yesterday (humorous twist).

Play on the common proverb.

Ontem, ao contrário do que se esperava, ele apareceu.

Yesterday, contrary to what was expected, he showed up.

Complex sentence structure with 'ao contrário de'.

Até ontem, ninguém sabia da verdade.

Until yesterday, nobody knew the truth.

Use of 'até ontem' to mark a turning point.

Ontem, a cidade parecia deserta devido ao feriado.

Yesterday, the city seemed deserted due to the holiday.

Descriptive past with 'parecia'.

O relatório que li ontem continha vários erros.

The report I read yesterday contained several errors.

Relative clause 'que li ontem'.

Ontem, a efemeridade do tempo tornou-se evidente.

Yesterday, the fleeting nature of time became evident.

Abstract and philosophical vocabulary.

O ontem é apenas uma memória, mas molda o nosso hoje.

Yesterday is but a memory, but it shapes our today.

Using 'o ontem' as a substantive noun.

Ontem, o orador discorreu sobre temas complexos.

Yesterday, the speaker discussed complex themes.

Formal verb 'discorrer'.

Se tivesses vindo ontem, terias visto a exposição.

If you had come yesterday, you would have seen the exhibition.

Past unreal conditional (Pluperfect Subjunctive).

Ontem, a despeito das críticas, o projeto avançou.

Yesterday, despite the criticisms, the project moved forward.

Formal connector 'a despeito de'.

A conferência de ontem suscitou um debate aceso.

Yesterday's conference sparked a heated debate.

High-level verb 'suscitar'.

Ontem, por entre a bruma, vislumbrei o mar.

Yesterday, through the mist, I glimpsed the sea.

Literary and poetic style.

O que ontem era proibido, hoje é aceite por todos.

What was forbidden yesterday is accepted by everyone today.

Social commentary using temporal contrast.

Ontem, o crepúsculo tingiu o céu de tons purpúreos.

Yesterday, the twilight dyed the sky in purple hues.

Highly descriptive, poetic language.

A decisão tomada ontem terá repercussões geracionais.

The decision made yesterday will have generational repercussions.

Formal and impactful sentence structure.

Ontem, a instabilidade política atingiu o seu apogeu.

Yesterday, the political instability reached its peak.

Precise, academic vocabulary (apogeu).

O ontem, esse espectro que nos persegue, nunca morre.

Yesterday, that specter that haunts us, never dies.

Metaphorical use of 'o ontem'.

Ontem, ao findar o dia, a paz finalmente reinou.

Yesterday, as the day ended, peace finally reigned.

Archaic/Literary phrasing 'ao findar'.

A obra que ontem parecia inacabada, hoje brilha.

The work that yesterday seemed unfinished, today shines.

Complex relative clause and temporal contrast.

Ontem, o silêncio era tão denso que se podia ouvir o tempo.

Yesterday, the silence was so thick you could hear time.

Synesthesia and poetic hyperbole.

Ontem, a humanidade deu mais um passo rumo ao abismo.

Yesterday, humanity took another step toward the abyss.

Philosophical and dramatic tone.

सामान्य शब्द संयोजन

Ontem à noite

Ontem de manhã

Ontem à tarde

Desde ontem

Até ontem

Ontem mesmo

Ontem à tardinha

Quase ontem

Ontem por esta hora

Só ontem

सामान्य वाक्यांश

Parece que foi ontem

Ontem à noite

Como eu dizia ontem

Desde ontem

Até ontem

Ontem de madrugada

Ontem ao meio-dia

Ontem à vinda

Ontem mesmo

O ontem e o hoje

अक्सर इससे भ्रम होता है

Ontem vs Amanhã

Means tomorrow. Beginners often swap them because they are both common time words.

Ontem vs Hoje

Means today. Represents the present, while 'ontem' is the past.

Ontem vs Anteontem

Means the day before yesterday. More specific than 'ontem'.

मुहावरे और अभिव्यक्तियाँ

"Não nasci ontem"

I'm not naive or easily fooled; I have experience.

Não me podes enganar, eu não nasci ontem.

Informal

"Ontem já era tarde"

Used to say that something should have been done much sooner.

Precisamos desse relatório; ontem já era tarde!

Colloquial

"Viver no ontem"

To be stuck in the past or constantly thinking about what happened before.

Ele não consegue progredir porque vive no ontem.

Metaphorical

"Parece que foi ontem"

Expressing nostalgia about how fast time flies.

Vinte anos passaram, mas parece que foi ontem.

Neutral

"Ontem é história"

What happened yesterday is in the past and cannot be changed.

Não te preocupes com o erro, ontem é história.

Philosophical

"De ontem para hoje"

Suddenly or in a very short amount of time.

Tudo mudou de ontem para hoje.

Neutral

"O ontem de alguém"

Someone's background or past history.

Não conheço o ontem dele, só o presente.

Literary

"Ontem, hoje e sempre"

Forever; eternally.

Vou amar-te ontem, hoje e sempre.

Romantic

"Enterrar o ontem"

To forget the past and move on.

É hora de enterrar o ontem e recomeçar.

Informal

"Ontem foi outro dia"

Similar to 'yesterday is history'; suggesting a fresh start.

Esquece a discussão, ontem foi outro dia.

Neutral

आसानी से भ्रमित होने वाले

Ontem vs Véspera

Both refer to a 'day before'.

'Ontem' is always the day before today. 'Véspera' is the day before any specific event.

Ontem foi domingo. A véspera de Natal é 24 de dezembro.

Ontem vs Antigamente

Both refer to the past.

'Ontem' is a specific 24-hour period. 'Antigamente' is a vague, long-ago period.

Ontem fui ao cinema. Antigamente as pessoas não tinham telemóveis.

Ontem vs Anterior

Both mean 'previous'.

'Ontem' is an adverb. 'Anterior' is an adjective.

Ontem li um livro. O capítulo anterior era melhor.

Ontem vs Passado

Both refer to past time.

'Passado' is a general noun or adjective (last). 'Ontem' is a specific day.

No mês passado viajei. Ontem fiquei em casa.

Ontem vs Outrora

Both mean 'in the past'.

'Outrora' is very formal/poetic and refers to distant times.

Ontem vi-te. Outrora, este palácio era habitado por reis.

वाक्य संरचनाएँ

Ontem + [Eu/Tu/Ele] + [Verb-Past]

Ontem eu comi.

Ontem + [Time of Day] + [Verb-Past]

Ontem à tarde eu estudei.

Desde ontem que + [Verb-Present]

Desde ontem que estou doente.

Ontem + [Verb-Imperfeito] + mas + [Verb-Perfeito]

Ontem estava sol, mas depois choveu.

Até ontem + [Negation] + [Verb-Past]

Até ontem eu não sabia de nada.

O ontem + [Verb-Ser] + [Description]

O ontem foi glorioso.

Ontem mesmo + [Verb-Past]

Ontem mesmo ele chegou.

Ontem, ao [Infinitive]...

Ontem, ao entardecer, saí.

शब्द परिवार

संज्ञा

इसे कैसे इस्तेमाल करें

frequency

Extremely high; among the top 500 words in the language.

सामान्य गलतियाँ

Using present tense. → Ontem eu fui.
You cannot use the present tense for a day that has already finished.
Saying 'última noite' for last night. → Ontem à noite.
'Última noite' sounds like the final night of something, not 'yesterday evening'.
Pronouncing the 'm' like an English 'm'. → Nasal 'em' sound.
The final 'm' in Portuguese indicates nasalization, not a lip-closing sound.
Confusing 'ontem' with 'amanhã'. → Ontem (past), Amanhã (future).
This is a common mental swap for beginners. Practice them together to distinguish them.
Using 'no ontem'. → Ontem.
Temporal adverbs like 'ontem' and 'hoje' do not take prepositions in simple usage.

सुझाव

Verb Matching

Always pair 'ontem' with a past tense verb. If you say 'Ontem eu vou', people will be confused. Say 'Ontem eu fui'.

Anteontem

Learn 'anteontem' early. It makes you sound much more like a native speaker than saying 'the day before yesterday'.

Nasal 'em'

The 'em' at the end of 'ontem' is nasal. Imagine you are saying 'ey' but the air is coming out of your nose.

Emphasis

Start your sentence with 'Ontem' if the time is the most important part of your message.

Last Night

Remember: 'Ontem à noite' is the only way to say 'last night'. Don't try to translate 'last' literally.

Context Clues

If you hear 'ontem', prepare to hear a story about the past. It's a great signal for listeners.

Punctuation

If you start a sentence with 'Ontem', you can put a comma after it for a formal pause: 'Ontem, eu fui...'

Small Talk

Use 'ontem' to share small details of your life. It's a key part of building relationships in Portuguese-speaking cultures.

Association

Associate 'Ontem' with 'Old Time'. It's the time that has already happened.

O Ontem

Try using 'o ontem' as a noun in your writing to sound more sophisticated and philosophical.

याद करें

स्मृति सहायक

Think of 'ON-TIME'. If you weren't ON-TIME yesterday (ONTEM), you might be late today!

दृश्य संबंध

Imagine a calendar page being ripped off and flying into a dark 'night' (noctem) sky.

Word Web

Passado Noite Dia Anteontem Calendário Memória História Relógio

चैलेंज

Try to write three things you did 'ontem' using three different verbs in the past tense.

शब्द की उत्पत्ति

Derived from the Vulgar Latin 'ad noctem', which literally means 'at night'. Over time, the meaning shifted from 'last night' to encompass the entire preceding day.

मूल अर्थ: At night / Last night.

Romance (Latin)

सांस्कृतिक संदर्भ

No specific sensitivities; it is a neutral temporal adverb.

English speakers should note that Portuguese doesn't have a single word for 'last night' like 'yesterday' does for 'the day before'. We always use 'ontem à noite'.

The song 'Ontem' by the Brazilian band CPM 22. Commonly used in Fado lyrics to represent a lost past. Frequent in the titles of Portuguese news segments recapping the day.

असल ज़िंदगी में अभ्यास करें

वास्तविक संदर्भ

Daily Recap

Ontem fiz muita coisa.
Ontem descansei.
Ontem saí com amigos.
Ontem trabalhei até tarde.

Work/Office

Recebeu o meu e-mail ontem?
A reunião de ontem foi longa.
Ontem terminámos o projeto.
Onde estavas ontem?

Weather

Ontem choveu muito.
Ontem esteve sol.
Ontem fez vento.
Ontem estava frio.

Health

Sinto-me assim desde ontem.
Ontem tive uma dor de cabeça.
Fui ao médico ontem.
Ontem dormi mal.

Socializing

Viste o jogo ontem?
Ontem a comida estava ótima.
Liguei-te ontem, mas não atendeste.
Ontem divertimo-nos muito.

बातचीत की शुरुआत

"O que é que fizeste de interessante ontem?"

"Viste as notícias na televisão ontem à noite?"

"Ontem o tempo estava melhor do que hoje, não achas?"

"Como correu o teu dia de trabalho ontem?"

"Ontem foste àquele restaurante novo que abriu?"

डायरी विषय

Escreve sobre a melhor coisa que te aconteceu ontem.

Faz uma lista de três tarefas que completaste ontem.

Descreve o que comeste ontem ao jantar.

Como te sentiste ontem em comparação com hoje?

Se pudesses mudar algo que fizeste ontem, o que seria?

अक्सर पूछे जाने वाले सवाल

10 सवाल

You say 'ontem à noite'. Portuguese does not have a single word like 'tonight' for the previous night. For example: 'Ontem à noite eu dormi bem' (Last night I slept well).

Yes, almost exclusively. Since 'ontem' refers to a completed day, you must use the Pretérito Perfeito (e.g., fui, comi) or the Pretérito Imperfeito (e.g., era, estava) for descriptions. Using the present tense with 'ontem' is a grammatical error.

It is flexible. You can put it at the beginning: 'Ontem eu trabalhei.' Or at the end: 'Eu trabalhei ontem.' Putting it at the beginning gives it more emphasis.

'Ontem' is one day ago (yesterday). 'Anteontem' is two days ago (the day before yesterday). Both are very common in daily speech.

The meaning is identical. The only difference might be the pronunciation of the final nasal 'em' and the choice of verbs that follow (e.g., 'ontem eu vi' in Portugal vs 'ontem eu vi' or 'ontem eu assisti' in Brazil).

Yes, you can say 'o ontem' to mean 'the past'. For example: 'Devemos aprender com o ontem' (We should learn from the past/yesterday).

Use the phrase 'desde ontem'. For example: 'Não o vejo desde ontem' (I haven't seen him since yesterday).

Use 'ontem de manhã'. For example: 'Ontem de manhã fui ao ginásio' (Yesterday morning I went to the gym).

It is completely neutral. It is used in every level of formality, from casual slang to academic writing.

It comes from the Latin 'ad noctem', which means 'at night'. It originally referred to the previous night before expanding to mean the whole previous day.