Por for Time (Duration & Approximation)
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use 'por' to describe how long something lasts or to give an approximate time frame.
- Use 'por' for duration: 'Estudei por duas horas' (I studied for two hours).
- Use 'por' for approximation: 'Chego por volta das oito' (I arrive around eight).
- Use 'por' for frequency: 'Vou à academia por semana três vezes' (I go to the gym three times a week).
Overview
In Portuguese, the preposition por is a multifaceted tool, especially when navigating temporal expressions. At the B1 level, mastering its use for duration and approximation is crucial for fluid communication. While English often distinguishes between "for" (duration) and "around" or "during" (approximation), Portuguese frequently employs por for both, requiring a nuanced understanding of its underlying meaning of "passage through" or "distribution over" a period.
This rule explores por when it defines the extent of an action in time (durante / "for") or when it indicates a general, non-specific point in time (aproximadamente / "around"). Understanding por in this context allows you to convey elapsed time, general timeframes like "in the morning," and estimates of when something will occur. It’s distinct from prepositions that mark precise points in time or future intentions, reflecting a dynamic, expansive view of time rather than a static one.
How This Grammar Works
por regarding time conveys a sense of traversal or distribution. It implies an action or state extends throughout a period (duration) or occurs within the general vicinity of a particular moment (approximation). This conceptual consistency is why por can cover what might be separate prepositions in other languages.por derives from the Latin pro, meaning "for," "before," or "on behalf of." Its semantic range expanded over time to include concepts of movement through space and, by extension, movement through time. When you say por uma hora (for an hour), you're literally indicating the action moved "through" the space of that hour. Similarly, pela manhã (in the morning) suggests the action is distributed "throughout" or "across" the morning period.A (às) denotes a precise, punctual moment (às oito horas – at eight o'clock). Em generally signifies a fixed location in time (em janeiro – in January).Por, however, is inherently less precise, suggesting a span rather than a point, or a general area around a point. It shifts the focus from a precise instant to the journey or the general timeframe surrounding an event. This inherent diffuseness makes por ideal for conveying less rigid temporal information.- Duration: When
porindicates duration, it answers the question "Por quanto tempo?" (For how long?). The action is viewed as traversing or occupying the entirety of the specified time period. For example,Eu estudei por três horas(I studied for three hours) signifies the action of studying spanned the full three-hour interval. - Approximation: When
porindicates approximation, it answers "Por volta de quando?" (Around when?). This usage points to a period that encompasses a less exact time.Pela manhã(in the morning) does not mean at a specific time in the morning, but some time during or throughout the morning.
por lies in this versatility, allowing a single preposition to articulate both how long something lasts and roughly when it occurs, all stemming from its core meaning of "passage" and "distribution."Formation Pattern
por for time involves the preposition itself, sometimes combined with definite articles, leading to contractions. Understanding these patterns is key to correct usage.
por followed directly by a quantity of time. This construction emphasizes the length of an activity.
Por + [Numeral] + [Unit of Time]
Fiquei no Brasil por duas semanas. (I stayed in Brazil for two weeks.)
Ele trabalhou por muitos anos naquela empresa. (He worked for many years in that company.)
O filme durou por quase três horas. (The movie lasted for almost three hours.)
por contracts with the definite articles (o, a, os, as) that precede these nouns. These contractions (pelo, pela, pelos, pelas) mean "during the course of" or "in the (general) time of."
Por + Definite Article (o/a/os/as) + [Part of Day]
por + o | pelo | during the (masculine singular) |
por + a | pela | during the (feminine singular) |
por + os | pelos | during the (masculine plural) |
por + as | pelas | during the (feminine plural) |
Vamos conversar pela manhã. (Let's talk in the morning.)
Ela sempre faz exercícios pela tarde. (She always exercises in the afternoon.)
Viajamos pela noite para evitar o trânsito. (We traveled through the night to avoid traffic.)
Pelos próximos dias, estarei ocupado. (For the next few days, I will be busy.)
por volta de. This phrase literally translates to "by turn of" or "around the turn of," indicating an approximate period surrounding a particular moment.
Por volta de + [Specific Time/Date]
de contracts with definite articles just like por. So, por volta das sete horas (de + as) or por volta do Natal (de + o).
Chego em casa por volta das oito da noite. (I'll arrive home around eight at night.)
Ele nasceu por volta de 1990. (He was born around 1990.)
A reunião terminará por volta das dez e meia. (The meeting will finish around half past ten.)
por maintains its core meaning across these patterns: indicating a passage or a general area in the temporal dimension.
When To Use It
Por for time is primarily employed in three key scenarios, each reflecting its fundamental meaning of traversal or distribution over a period. Understanding these contexts will guide your correct application of the rule.- 1To Express Duration of an Action:
por to specify how long an action or state lasted. This is the most direct application of por for duration, framing the activity as occupying a continuous span of time.- Emphasis on Length: When you want to highlight the entire extent of time an activity consumed. The
pormakes the duration explicit and sometimes adds a slight emphasis. Esperei por duas horas no aeroporto.(I waited for two hours at the airport.) – Here,porclearly states the full extent of the waiting period.Estudamos português por seis meses antes de viajar.(We studied Portuguese for six months before traveling.)
- Brazilian Portuguese Colloquial Omission: In informal Brazilian Portuguese,
poris frequently omitted when expressing duration. The duration is simply stated after the verb. While acceptable in casual speech, retainingporis always grammatically correct and can be preferred in more formal contexts or when emphasis on duration is desired. - Informal (Brazil):
Fiquei lá dez minutos.(I stayed there ten minutes.) - Formal/Standard:
Fiquei lá por dez minutos.(I stayed there for ten minutes.) - Both are understood, but the latter maintains the explicit prepositional structure.
- 1To Refer to General Parts of the Day (Approximation):
pela manhã, pela tarde, pela noite (and their plural forms) to refer to a general timeframe within a day, conveying "during the morning/afternoon/night" without specifying an exact hour. This usage is common and idiomatic.- Conveying "During the Course of": These phrases imply that an event will happen at some point within that larger time block, or that something habitually occurs during that block.
Gosto de ler pela manhã, antes de começar o trabalho.(I like to read in the morning, before starting work.) – This indicates a morning routine, not a single punctual reading event.Avisarei você pela tarde sobre a mudança.(I'll let you know in the afternoon about the change.) – The message will come at an unspecified time within the afternoon.
- Cultural Insight (Brazil vs. Portugal): While
pela manhã/tarde/noiteis widely understood,de manhã/tarde/noiteis also extremely common, particularly in Brazil, and often feels slightly more colloquial for habitual actions. In Portugal,pelatends to be more consistently used to denote the duration of a part of the day, whereasdemight imply a habitual action occurring at some point within that part of the day without the same emphasis on traversal. However, in many contexts, they are interchangeable.
- 1To Indicate Approximation Around a Specific Point in Time or Date:
por volta de to express "around" or "approximately" when discussing specific times, dates, or ages. This construction is indispensable for estimations and imprecise scheduling.- Estimates and Vague Appointments: When precision is not possible or desired.
O ônibus deve chegar por volta das dez horas.(The bus should arrive around ten o'clock.)A construção foi iniciada por volta do século XVIII.(The construction began around the 18th century.)A festa começa por volta da meia-noite.(The party starts around midnight.)
- Distinction from Exactness:
Por volta deexplicitly signals that the time given is not exact, providing a margin of flexibility. This is critical in communication where punctuality might vary, such as social plans or travel estimates.
Common Mistakes
por for time, primarily due to direct translation from English or confusion with other prepositions. Identifying and understanding these common errors is crucial for achieving B1 proficiency.- 1Confusing
PorwithParafor Duration:
por and para can relate to time, their functions are fundamentally different. Por denotes duration – the period an action lasts. Para indicates purpose, destination, or a deadline/future point in time.- Incorrect:
Vou para uma semana de férias.(I'm going for a week of vacation. – Literally, this implies the week itself is the destination or purpose, which is nonsensical for duration.) - Correct:
Vou por uma semana de férias.(I'm going for a week of vacation.) –porcorrectly expresses the length of the trip. - Why it's wrong:
Paraimplies a target, an end point. When referring to a period of time,parasignals a deadline (para amanhã– for tomorrow/by tomorrow) or a future intent (para o futuro– for the future), not the total elapsed time.Pordescribes the journey through that time.
- Contrast Table:
Porvs.Para(Time)
Por | Duration | Estudei por duas horas. | I studied for two hours. |Para | Deadline/Future Int.| Preciso entregar o relatório para sexta-feira.| I need to hand in the report by Friday. |Para | Purpose | Ele trabalha para viver. | He works to live. |- 1Using
DuranteInstead ofPorfor General Timeframes:
durante also means "during," it often carries a slightly more formal or emphatic tone than pela manhã/tarde/noite. Overusing durante can make your speech sound unnatural in casual contexts.- Acceptable but less natural (casual):
Durante a manhã, eu bebo café.(During the morning, I drink coffee.) - More natural/idiomatic (casual):
Pela manhã, eu bebo café.(In the morning, I drink coffee.) - Why it's distinct:
Duranteemphasizes the continuity of an action throughout a period, often with a sense of contemporaneity ("while X is happening, Y is happening").Por(with contractions) for parts of the day feels more like a general, habitual timeframe, less about a continuous, uninterrupted event and more about actions distributed within that period. However,duranteis perfectly correct when you truly want to highlight the entire, continuous span (e.g.,Durante a guerra, muitas pessoas sofreram– During the war, many people suffered).
- 1Confusing
Porfor Time withEmfor Specific Periods:
Em is used to specify a particular month, year, or season (em janeiro, em 2024, no verão). Por (even with contractions like pelo mês) is less common for naming specific, extended time units like months or years unless emphasizing passage throughout that entire unit, which is a subtle distinction.- Correct (specific month):
Meu aniversário é em abril.(My birthday is in April.) - Less common/different nuance (passage):
Viajei pelo mês de abril inteiro.(I traveled throughout the entire month of April.) – Here,peloemphasizes the whole duration, not just a point in April. - Why the distinction:
Emplaces you within a defined period (a point in time).Pordescribes movement or extension across that period (a duration). You are in April (em abril), but you travel through April (pelo mês de abril).
- 1Omitting
Porfor Duration in Formal Contexts (BP):
por for duration in more formal writing or speech might be perceived as less precise. It’s always safer to include por if you want to explicitly state duration.- Informal:
Esperei três horas. - Formal:
Esperei por três horas.
por from these other temporal markers, you will enhance both the accuracy and naturalness of your Portuguese.Real Conversations
To truly grasp por for time, observe how native speakers deploy it in everyday exchanges. It's less about rigid grammar rules and more about communicative efficiency and natural flow.
1. Scheduling and Making Plans (Approximation):
Por with parts of the day is ubiquitous in arranging meetups without over-committing to a precise minute. Por volta de offers similar flexibility for specific times.
- Text Message (Brazil):
Amiga, topa um café pela tarde? Tipo, por volta das 16h?
(Friend, up for a coffee in the afternoon? Like, around 4 PM?)
- Here, pela tarde sets the general timeframe, and por volta das 16h refines it to an approximation, showing a relaxed approach to timing.
- Work Email (Portugal):
Reunimo-nos pela manhã para discutir o projeto.
(We'll meet in the morning to discuss the project.)
- Professional yet flexible; no exact hour is mandated.
2. Describing Past Experiences (Duration):
When recounting events, por clearly delineates the length of an experience, often adding a touch of vividness or emphasis.
- Casual Conversation (Brazil):
Nossa, eu trabalhei por oito horas seguidas ontem! Tô exausta.
(Wow, I worked for eight hours straight yesterday! I'm exhausted.)
- The por here makes the duration explicit, underscoring the speaker's fatigue.
- Social Media Post (Portugal):
Viajámos por três semanas pelo Algarve. As praias são incríveis!
(We traveled for three weeks through the Algarve. The beaches are incredible!)
- The por unambiguously states the length of the trip, providing clear context.
3. Daily Routines and Habits (General Timeframes):
Pela manhã/tarde/noite are standard for discussing habitual actions without needing to specify a clock time.
- Family Conversation (Brazil):
As crianças brincam no jardim pela tarde.
(The children play in the garden in the afternoon.)
- This describes a regular occurrence within that part of the day.
- Personal Blog Entry (Portugal):
Gosto de meditar pela manhã para começar o dia com calma.
(I like to meditate in the morning to start the day calmly.)
- Expresses a preferred routine.
4. Expressing Indefinite Future Periods (Duration/Approximation):
Por can also set an expectation for how long something will last or for a period into the future.
- News Report (Brazil):
A estrada permanecerá fechada por tempo indeterminado.
(The road will remain closed for an indefinite period.)
- Por clearly defines the (unknown) duration of the closure.
- Announcement (Portugal):
Estarei ausente do escritório pelos próximos dias.
(I will be absent from the office for the next few days.)
- Pelos indicates a general duration over multiple upcoming days.
These examples illustrate por as an integral part of expressing time naturally and flexibly, allowing speakers to convey information about duration and approximation without unnecessary rigidity.
Quick FAQ
por for time can clarify lingering doubts and solidify your understanding.- Q: Can I always omit
porwhen expressing duration in Brazilian Portuguese?
In informal spoken Brazilian Portuguese, por is frequently omitted for duration (e.g., Estudei três horas). However, it's not a universal rule and depends on context and desired emphasis. In formal writing or speech, or when you want to explicitly stress the duration, keeping por (Estudei por três horas) is always correct and often preferred. When in doubt, include it.
- Q: Is there a significant difference between
pela manhãandde manhã?
Yes, though they are often interchangeable in casual contexts. Pela manhã (from por a manhã) suggests actions that occur throughout or during the course of the morning, emphasizing the span. De manhã (from de a manhã) more generally means "in the morning" or "of the morning," often implying a habitual point within the morning or simply "when it's morning." Pela manhã has a slight active nuance of traversing the period, while de manhã is a more static indicator. For example:
Corro pela manhã.(I run throughout the morning / during the morning – emphasizes the activity spanning the morning).Acordo de manhã.(I wake up in the morning – a punctual event occurring when it's morning).
- Q: How do
poranddurantediffer for duration?
Both can express duration, but with subtle differences in nuance. Por often sounds more integrated with the verb, simply stating how long an action spanned. Durante tends to emphasize the continuity of an action throughout the entirety of a period, sometimes suggesting that something else happened concurrently. Durante can feel slightly more formal or explicit.
Ele leu por uma hora.(He read for an hour – straightforward duration.)Ele leu durante uma hora.(He read during an hour – emphasizes the continuous nature of the reading throughout that hour. Could also imply "while that hour was passing.")
durante when you specifically want to stress that an action was ongoing throughout a particular time, especially when distinguishing it from something happening at just one point. For general duration, por is often sufficient and more common.- Q: Can
porbe used for frequency (e.g., "three times a day")?
Yes, por is indeed used for frequency, often meaning "per" or "a." For example, três vezes por dia (three times a day) or quinze euros por quilo (fifteen euros per kilo). While this use also involves time, it falls under the broader category of por expressing rates or distribution, which is covered in the related rule "Saying 'Per' or 'By': Rates with Por (por dia, pelo quilo)." The focus of this rule is strictly on duration and approximation, where por defines the length or general placement of an event in time.
- Q: Does
por volta dealways require thede?
Yes, the de is an integral part of the phrase por volta de. It's a compound prepositional phrase meaning "around" or "approximately." Just like depois de or antes de, the de (which contracts with articles to do, da, dos, das) is essential for its correct formation and meaning. Forgetting de would render the phrase incomplete and incorrect. For example, por volta das seis (around six o'clock) is correct, not por volta as seis.
Temporal Usage of 'Por'
| Usage | Structure | Example | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Duration
|
por + [time]
|
por duas horas
|
for two hours
|
|
Approximation
|
por volta de + [time]
|
por volta das 8h
|
around 8 AM
|
|
Frequency
|
por + [period]
|
por semana
|
per week
|
|
Past Duration
|
por + [time]
|
por um ano
|
for one year
|
|
Future Duration
|
por + [time]
|
por um mês
|
for a month
|
|
Indefinite
|
por + [tempo]
|
por muito tempo
|
for a long time
|
Meanings
The preposition 'por' is used to indicate the length of time an action occurs or to estimate a specific time point.
Duration
Indicates the total length of time an action lasts.
“Ele trabalhou por oito horas.”
“Fiquei no Brasil por um mês.”
Approximation
Indicates an approximate time or period.
“Chegamos por volta das dez.”
“Ele saiu por volta do meio-dia.”
Frequency
Indicates how often something happens within a period.
“Vou à praia por fim de semana.”
“Tomo café por dia.”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
Sujeito + Verbo + por + Tempo
|
Eu li por uma hora.
|
|
Negative
|
Sujeito + não + Verbo + por + Tempo
|
Eu não li por uma hora.
|
|
Question
|
Por quanto tempo + Verbo + Sujeito?
|
Por quanto tempo você leu?
|
|
Approximation
|
Verbo + por volta de + Tempo
|
Chego por volta das 10h.
|
|
Frequency
|
Verbo + [x] vezes + por + Tempo
|
Vou três vezes por semana.
|
|
Short Answer
|
Por + Tempo
|
Por uma hora.
|
Formality Spectrum
Estarei presente por volta das 20h. (Social arrival)
Chego por volta das oito. (Social arrival)
Chego por volta das oito. (Social arrival)
Chego lá pelas oito. (Social arrival)
Uses of Por in Time
Duration
- por uma hora for one hour
Approximation
- por volta de around
Frequency
- por semana per week
Examples by Level
Eu estudo por uma hora.
I study for one hour.
Ele dorme por oito horas.
He sleeps for eight hours.
Fico aqui por dez minutos.
I stay here for ten minutes.
Chego por volta das nove.
I arrive around nine.
Trabalhei por dois anos lá.
I worked there for two years.
Vou viajar por um mês.
I am going to travel for a month.
Eles saíram por volta das dez.
They left around ten.
Por quanto tempo você fica?
For how long are you staying?
Tenho estudado por muito tempo.
I have been studying for a long time.
O evento ocorre por volta das 15h.
The event occurs around 3 PM.
Ele corre por três quilômetros.
He runs for three kilometers.
Vou à academia por semana três vezes.
I go to the gym three times a week.
O projeto foi adiado por duas semanas.
The project was delayed for two weeks.
Eles conversaram por horas a fio.
They talked for hours on end.
Chegaremos por volta do meio-dia.
We will arrive around noon.
Ela foi contratada por um período curto.
She was hired for a short period.
O silêncio perdurou por longos minutos.
The silence lasted for long minutes.
Por volta de 1990, tudo mudou.
Around 1990, everything changed.
Ele foi exilado por vários anos.
He was exiled for several years.
A decisão foi tomada por unanimidade.
The decision was made unanimously.
A tradição manteve-se por séculos.
The tradition was maintained for centuries.
Por volta de quando ele chegou?
Around when did he arrive?
O contrato é válido por tempo indeterminado.
The contract is valid for an indefinite time.
Ele vagueou por terras distantes.
He wandered through distant lands.
Easily Confused
Both translate to 'for' in English.
Both mean 'during' or 'for'.
Both mean 'around'.
Common Mistakes
Estudei para duas horas.
Estudei por duas horas.
Chego por volta oito.
Chego por volta das oito.
Vou à academia por dia uma vez.
Vou à academia uma vez por dia.
Eu fico por o dia.
Eu fico por um dia.
O trabalho é por amanhã.
O trabalho é para amanhã.
Ele saiu por volta das 8h.
Ele saiu por volta das 8h.
Por quanto tempo você vai?
Por quanto tempo você vai ficar?
Eu tenho trabalhado por o mês todo.
Eu tenho trabalhado durante o mês todo.
A reunião é por volta das 10h.
A reunião é às 10h.
Vou viajar por uma semana para descansar.
Vou viajar por uma semana para descansar.
O evento durou por três horas.
O evento durou três horas.
Ele esperou por volta de uma hora.
Ele esperou cerca de uma hora.
Por volta de 2020, eu mudei.
Por volta de 2020, eu mudei.
Sentence Patterns
Eu ___ por ___.
Chego por volta das ___.
Vou à academia ___ por semana.
Fiquei no Brasil por ___.
Real World Usage
Chego por volta das 9.
Trabalhei lá por três anos.
Vou ficar por uma semana.
Chega por volta das 20h.
Estudando por horas!
O evento é por volta das 15h.
The Brazilian Drop
Don't Translate 'For' Blindly
Pela Madrugada
Smart Tips
Always pair 'por' with the time unit.
Use 'por volta de' for a natural flow.
Use 'por' + time period.
Consider 'durante' for specific periods.
Pronunciation
Por
Pronounced as /poɾ/ in Brazil and /poɾ/ in Portugal.
Statement
Eu li por uma hora. ↘
Falling intonation indicates a completed statement.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
POR = Period Of Running (time).
Visual Association
Imagine a stopwatch. Every time you say 'por', you click the stopwatch to start the duration.
Rhyme
Para is for the deadline date, Por is for the time you wait.
Story
Maria waited for the bus for an hour (por uma hora). She looked at her watch and said, 'I'll be there around 8' (por volta das oito). She does this every day (por dia).
Word Web
Challenge
Write down three things you did today and how long you did them using 'por'.
Cultural Notes
In Brazil, 'por' is very common in casual speech. People often use 'lá pelas' as a slang alternative to 'por volta de'.
In Portugal, 'por' is used similarly, but 'durante' is slightly more common in formal writing.
Usage is similar to Brazil, with a preference for 'por' in daily conversation.
Derived from Latin 'per', meaning 'through'.
Conversation Starters
Por quanto tempo você estuda português?
Você chega em casa por volta de que horas?
Você já morou fora por muito tempo?
Quantas vezes por semana você pratica esportes?
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
Trabalhei ___ três horas.
Which is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
O trabalho é por amanhã.
semana / por / três / vezes / vou / academia
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Eu ___ por muito tempo.
Vou à praia ___ fim de semana.
Find and fix the mistake:
Ele esperou por volta de uma hora.
Score: /8
Practice Exercises
8 exercisesTrabalhei ___ três horas.
Which is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
O trabalho é por amanhã.
semana / por / três / vezes / vou / academia
Match: 1. por uma hora, 2. por volta das 10h
Eu ___ por muito tempo.
Vou à praia ___ fim de semana.
Find and fix the mistake:
Ele esperou por volta de uma hora.
Score: /8
Practice Bank
12 exercisesEla correu ___ 30 minutos na esteira.
O voo atrasou ___ duas horas.
How do you say 'I work in the afternoon'?
Vou viajar para três meses.
horas / dormiu / Ela / por / dez
Vamos nos ver ___ volta das 18h?
Which implies a vague time?
Translate the phrase to Portuguese:
Match the time expressions.
Estudei durante 2 horas. (Make it less formal/more common)
O médico atende ___ ordem de chegada.
I go to the gym three times a week.
Score: /12
FAQ (8)
No, only for duration, frequency, or approximation. Use 'para' for deadlines.
No, 'por' is invariant.
'Durante' is more formal and implies a specific, bounded period.
Use 'por volta de' + time.
Yes, for duration (e.g., 'Vou viajar por um mês').
It indicates the distribution of an action over time.
Yes, it is standard in all Portuguese-speaking countries.
It sounds incomplete or incorrect to native speakers.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
por
The usage is almost identical.
pour / pendant
French separates duration and approximation into different words.
für / um
German grammar is more rigid with prepositions.
間 (aida) / 頃 (koro)
Japanese is agglutinative, unlike Portuguese.
لمدة (limuddat)
Arabic is a Semitic language with different structures.
了 (le) / 左右 (zuoyou)
Chinese lacks prepositions in the same way.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
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