In 15 Seconds
- Means 'today' in Portuguese.
- Used for the current 24-hour period.
- Works in both casual and formal settings.
- Essential for daily communication.
Meaning
So, `hoje` is your go-to word for 'today.' It's super straightforward, pointing to the current 24-hour period we're living in. Think of it as the ultimate time marker for the present moment, whether you're making plans or just reflecting on the day's events. It’s the word that anchors you to right now!
Key Examples
3 of 12Texting a friend
Oi! Vamos sair para comer `hoje`?
Hey! Shall we go out to eat today?
At a café
Um café e um pão de queijo `hoje`, por favor.
One coffee and one cheese bread today, please.
Checking the weather
Parece que vai chover `hoje`.
It looks like it's going to rain today.
Cultural Background
The expression 'Hoje tem!' is widely used in sports and nightlife. It signals that a big game or a great party is happening today. In Portugal, people often use 'hoje' with the compound past tense (Pretérito Perfeito Composto) to indicate an action that has been happening throughout the day. The concept of 'hoje' in social invitations can be more relaxed than in Northern Europe. 'A gente se fala hoje' might just be a friendly goodbye rather than a firm commitment.
No Prepositions!
Never say 'em hoje' or 'no hoje.' Just say 'hoje.'
Spelling
Don't forget the 'h' even though you don't say it. It's a common spelling bee trap!
In 15 Seconds
- Means 'today' in Portuguese.
- Used for the current 24-hour period.
- Works in both casual and formal settings.
- Essential for daily communication.
What It Means
Hoje is the Portuguese word for 'today.' It’s a fundamental time expression. You use it to talk about the current day. It’s not complicated, but it's essential for daily conversation. You can't really talk about your schedule without it, can you? It’s like the anchor of the present moment in your day. It’s the day that's happening right now, the one you’re reading this on!
How To Use It
You use hoje simply by saying it. It connects events or feelings to the current day. For example, 'I am happy hoje.' Or, 'We will meet hoje.' It’s very flexible and fits into most sentence structures. Just pop it in where you’d say 'today' in English. Easy peasy, lemon squeezy! You'll find yourself using it constantly.
Formality & Register
Hoje works everywhere! Seriously, it’s neutral. You can use it texting your best friend or in a formal business meeting. It doesn't change its meaning or its vibe. It’s like a chameleon, fitting into any social situation. So, no need to worry about sounding too casual or too stiff. It’s your reliable word for 'today.' You can trust it. It won't let you down.
Real-Life Examples
Imagine you're ordering coffee. 'Um café com leite hoje, por favor.' (A coffee with milk today, please.) Or maybe you're telling a friend about your plans. 'Vamos ao cinema hoje à noite?' (Shall we go to the cinema tonight?) You might even see it on a weather app: 'Sol hoje em Lisboa.' (Sun today in Lisbon.) It’s everywhere!
When To Use It
Use hoje anytime you refer to the current day. This includes plans, events, feelings, or observations related to this specific day. 'Eu estudei muito hoje.' (I studied a lot today.) 'O tempo está ótimo hoje.' (The weather is great today.) 'Estou cansado hoje.' (I’m tired today.) If it's happening now, or happened within the last 24 hours and is still relevant, hoje is your word. It’s the ultimate 'now' word.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use hoje when you mean 'yesterday' (ontem) or 'tomorrow' (amanhã). That sounds obvious, but mistakes happen! Also, avoid it if you're talking about a general concept of 'daily' life. For that, you might use diariamente or todos os dias. Hoje is strictly about *this* specific day. So, don't say 'Eu como pão hoje' to mean you eat bread every day. That's a recipe for confusion! Unless you *only* eat bread today, which would be a very specific, and perhaps delicious, situation.
Common Mistakes
hoje de novo.'
✓'Eu comi pizza ontem, mas vou comer hoje de novo.' (This is correct, but learners often confuse hoje with ontem or amanhã.)
amanhã.'
✓'Eu vou viajar amanhã.' (Using hoje when you mean tomorrow is a classic slip-up. Pay attention to your time references!) It’s like wearing socks with sandals – just not right.
Common Variations
While hoje is standard, you might hear regional accents. But the word itself doesn't really change much across Brazil or Portugal. Sometimes, people might add emphasis, like 'foi hoje mesmo!' (it was just today!), to stress immediacy. But the core word hoje remains king. It's pretty stable, unlike my Wi-Fi connection sometimes.
Real Conversations
Maria
João
hoje.' (I didn't, Maria. I played video games all night today.)Maria
hoje à tarde?' (Oh, what a shame! And what are you going to do this afternoon?)João
hoje!' (I think I'll go to the park. The weather is beautiful today!)Quick FAQ
Is hoje formal or informal? It's neutral!
Can I use it for the future? Yes, if the event is today. 'O voo sai hoje.' (The flight leaves today.)
What if I mean 'daily'? Use diariamente or todos os dias.
Does it change with time of day? No, hoje covers the whole day.
Is it always 'today'? Yes, that's its main job!
Usage Notes
The word `hoje` is universally understood and used across all registers in Portuguese. It's a foundational time expression, making it safe for beginners. However, be mindful of context to avoid confusing it with terms for yesterday (`ontem`) or tomorrow (`amanhã`), a common slip-up for learners.
No Prepositions!
Never say 'em hoje' or 'no hoje.' Just say 'hoje.'
Spelling
Don't forget the 'h' even though you don't say it. It's a common spelling bee trap!
Emphasis
Put 'hoje' at the very beginning of the sentence to sound more dramatic or to emphasize a change in plans.
Examples
12Oi! Vamos sair para comer `hoje`?
Hey! Shall we go out to eat today?
Casual invitation for the current day.
Um café e um pão de queijo `hoje`, por favor.
One coffee and one cheese bread today, please.
Ordering something for the current moment.
Parece que vai chover `hoje`.
It looks like it's going to rain today.
Making an observation about the current day's weather.
Aproveitando o sol `hoje`! ☀️ #verão
Enjoying the sun today! ☀️ #summer
Sharing a current activity on social media.
Esse vídeo me fez rir muito `hoje`!
This video made me laugh a lot today!
Reacting to content experienced on the current day.
Agradeço a oportunidade de discutir minha candidatura `hoje`.
I appreciate the opportunity to discuss my application today.
Referring to the current meeting in a professional context.
Confirmamos o recebimento do seu relatório `hoje` pela manhã.
We confirm receipt of your report this morning.
Stating when an action occurred in a formal setting.
✗ Eu fui ao mercado `hoje` de manhã.
✗ I went to the market today this morning.
Incorrectly using `hoje` when the action happened in the past (yesterday). Should be `ontem`.
✗ Vamos viajar `hoje` para o Rio.
✗ We are traveling today to Rio.
Incorrectly using `hoje` when the action is planned for the future (tomorrow). Should be `amanhã`.
Eu planejei fazer dieta `hoje`, mas o bolo parecia tão bom...
I planned to diet today, but the cake looked so good...
Self-deprecating humor about failing a plan for the current day.
Este `hoje` é um dia que jamais esquecerei.
This today is a day I will never forget.
Emphasizing the significance of the current day.
Chegamos em Paris `hoje` e já estamos explorando!
We arrived in Paris today and are already exploring!
Announcing arrival on the current day.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct word for 'today'.
______ é um dia muito bonito.
The sentence means 'Today is a very beautiful day.'
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
Choose the correct option:
In Portuguese, 'hoje' does not require a preposition.
Match the Portuguese words with their English meanings.
Match the following:
These are the three basic temporal adverbs.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Você quer comer pizza? B: Sim, pode ser ______.
'Hoje' is the most natural fit for making a plan for the day.
In which situation would you use 'hoje em dia'?
Select the best context:
'Hoje em dia' means 'nowadays'.
🎉 Score: /5
Visual Learning Aids
Hoje vs. Agora
Common Phrases
Time
- • Hoje de manhã
- • Hoje à tarde
- • Hoje à noite
Practice Bank
5 exercises______ é um dia muito bonito.
The sentence means 'Today is a very beautiful day.'
Choose the correct option:
In Portuguese, 'hoje' does not require a preposition.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
These are the three basic temporal adverbs.
A: Você quer comer pizza? B: Sim, pode ser ______.
'Hoje' is the most natural fit for making a plan for the day.
Select the best context:
'Hoje em dia' means 'nowadays'.
🎉 Score: /5
Video Tutorials
Find video tutorials on YouTube for this phrase.
Frequently Asked Questions
7 questionsIt is an adverb, so it has no gender. However, if used as a noun (e.g., 'The today'), it is masculine: 'O hoje.'
Usually, you would say 'hoje à noite' to be specific, but in casual conversation, 'hoje' can imply the evening if it's already late.
'Hoje' is specifically this 24-hour day. 'Hoje em dia' means 'nowadays' or 'in this era.'
You say 'A data de hoje.'
No, the 'H' is silent in all standard dialects of Portuguese.
No, adverbs do not have plural forms.
It is neutral. It is used in all levels of formality.
Related Phrases
Hoje em dia
specialized formNowadays
Ainda hoje
builds onStill today / Before the day ends
Hoje mesmo
builds onThis very day
De hoje a oito
idiomA week from today
