In 15 Seconds
- Asks for the current day of the week.
- Versatile for casual and neutral settings.
- Simple and direct, easy for beginners.
- Essential for daily planning and orientation.
Meaning
This is your go-to phrase when you need to know what day it is. It's super common and friendly, like asking a pal, 'Hey, what's the date today?' It carries a simple, direct vibe, perfect for everyday chats, whether you're planning your weekend or just lost track of time after a Netflix binge.
Key Examples
3 of 12Texting a friend
Oi! `Que dia é hoje?` Tô completamente perdida na semana!
Hi! What day is today? I'm completely lost in the week!
At a café
Com licença, você sabe `que dia é hoje?` Preciso saber se o mercado ainda está aberto.
Excuse me, do you know what day it is today? I need to know if the market is still open.
Planning a weekend trip
Ainda não reservei o hotel. `Que dia é hoje?` Quero ir no próximo fim de semana.
I haven't booked the hotel yet. What day is today? I want to go next weekend.
Cultural Background
In Brazil, 'Que dia é hoje?' is often asked with a sense of hope for the weekend. Friday ('sexta-feira') is the most celebrated answer. Portuguese people might answer with the saint of the day, as the religious calendar is still very present in the culture. In Luanda, the phrase is used just as in Brazil, but the answer might include local slang for specific days of the week. Formal settings in Mozambique might prefer 'Qual é a data de hoje?' to show respect and education.
The 'Feira' Rule
Remember that weekdays (Mon-Fri) always end in '-feira'. If someone answers 'Segunda', they mean Monday!
Ser vs Estar
Never use 'estar' for dates. It's always 'é hoje', never 'está hoje'.
In 15 Seconds
- Asks for the current day of the week.
- Versatile for casual and neutral settings.
- Simple and direct, easy for beginners.
- Essential for daily planning and orientation.
What It Means
This phrase is the most straightforward way to ask what day of the week it is. It's like your daily check-in with the calendar. You use it when you're not sure if it's Monday blues or Friday freedom. It's a fundamental question for organizing your life, even if your life just involves deciding what to watch next. Think of it as the verbal equivalent of glancing at your phone's date display, but with a bit more personality!
How To Use It
Simply ask Que dia é hoje? when you need to know the day. You can use it anywhere, anytime. It fits perfectly in casual chats with friends, family, or colleagues. Need to confirm if your online order will arrive by Friday? Ask away! It's also great for travelers trying to get their bearings in a new place. Did you just wake up and feel like it might be Saturday? This is your phrase.
Formality & Register
This phrase is wonderfully versatile. It leans towards the informal side but is perfectly acceptable in most neutral situations. You wouldn't typically use it in a super formal business proposal, but in a friendly office chat or a quick email check-in? Absolutely. It’s like your favorite comfy jeans – good for most occasions, but maybe not a black-tie gala. It’s the Swiss Army knife of day-asking.
Real-Life Examples
- Texting a friend: "Oi!
Que dia é hoje?Tô perdida!" (Hey! What day is today? I'm lost!) - At a café: "Com licença, você sabe
que dia é hoje?Preciso saber se o mercado ainda está aberto." - On a travel vlog: "Olá, pessoal! Bem-vindos a Lisboa! Hoje é um dia lindo, mas
que dia é hoje?Vamos descobrir juntos!" - In a family WhatsApp group: "Mamãe,
que dia é hoje?Temos aquela reunião de família?" - Ordering food delivery: "Só para confirmar, a entrega é amanhã, certo? Porque
que dia é hoje?"
When To Use It
- When you wake up and need a moment of orientation.
- Planning social events or appointments.
- Checking if it's a weekday or weekend.
- Confirming the day for a specific event or deadline.
- When you've been so engrossed in a project (or a game!) that time has flown by.
- Traveling and trying to keep track of your itinerary.
- Even when you just want to start a casual conversation. It's a gentle icebreaker!
When NOT To Use It
- During a formal presentation or speech where you're expected to know the date. It might make you seem unprepared.
- In a very serious or somber situation where asking about the day might seem trivial or out of place.
- When the day is extremely obvious (e.g., everyone is wearing Santa hats on December 25th).
- If you're trying to sound super sophisticated or academic. There are more formal ways to inquire about dates.
Common Mistakes
- Using a wrong verb form: ✗
Que dia foi hoje?→ ✓Que dia é hoje?(Using past tense when asking about the present). - Adding unnecessary words: ✗
Por favor, que dia é hoje?→ ✓Que dia é hoje?(While polite,por favorisn't usually needed here). - Confusing with 'what date': ✗
Que dia é hoje?→ ✓Que dia é hoje?(This phrase asks for the *day of the week*, not the specific date like the 15th). - Overly formal phrasing: ✗
Gostaria de saber que dia é hoje.→ ✓Que dia é hoje?(Too wordy for a simple question).
Common Variations
Que dia é hoje, mesmo?(What day is it today, really?) - Adds a touch of slight confusion or emphasis.Que dia estamos hoje?(What day are we today?) - A slightly more collective or inclusive way to ask.Que dia da semana é hoje?(What day of the week is today?) - More specific, but less common in casual chat.Hoje é que dia?(Today is what day?) - A more colloquial word order, common in spoken Brazilian Portuguese.
Real Conversations
- Friend 1: "Ei, você viu o novo episódio daquela série?"
- Friend 2: "Ainda não! Que dia é hoje? Preciso marcar na agenda."
- Friend 1: "É quarta-feira!"
- Colleague 1: "Precisamos finalizar o relatório até sexta-feira."
- Colleague 2: "Certo. Que dia é hoje? Só para eu me organizar melhor."
- Colleague 1: "Hoje é terça."
Quick FAQ
- Is it rude to ask
Que dia é hoje?? - Can I use this to ask for the date (like the 15th)?
- What's a more formal way to ask?
- Does this change in Brazil vs. Portugal?
- Is it okay to use this in a work email?
Usage Notes
This phrase is highly versatile and generally safe to use. Its neutral-to-informal register means it fits most everyday conversations. Avoid it in highly formal speeches or academic writing where more precise language about dates might be required. The main 'gotcha' is confusing it with asking for the specific numerical date.
The 'Feira' Rule
Remember that weekdays (Mon-Fri) always end in '-feira'. If someone answers 'Segunda', they mean Monday!
Ser vs Estar
Never use 'estar' for dates. It's always 'é hoje', never 'está hoje'.
The 'Mesmo' Trick
Add 'mesmo' at the end ('Que dia é hoje mesmo?') to sound like you just forgot, making you sound very native.
First Day
In Brazil, the first day of the month is often called 'dia primeiro' instead of 'dia um'.
Examples
12Oi! `Que dia é hoje?` Tô completamente perdida na semana!
Hi! What day is today? I'm completely lost in the week!
Used casually to express confusion about the day.
Com licença, você sabe `que dia é hoje?` Preciso saber se o mercado ainda está aberto.
Excuse me, do you know what day it is today? I need to know if the market is still open.
Polite inquiry in a public service setting.
Ainda não reservei o hotel. `Que dia é hoje?` Quero ir no próximo fim de semana.
I haven't booked the hotel yet. What day is today? I want to go next weekend.
Used to check current day for future planning.
Acordei assim hoje! ☀️ `Que dia é hoje?` Não importa, o importante é aproveitar! #goodvibes #portugal
Woke up like this today! ☀️ What day is today? It doesn't matter, the important thing is to enjoy! #goodvibes #portugal
Used playfully, implying the day's identity is less important than enjoying it.
Esse vídeo me fez esquecer tudo! 😂 `Que dia é hoje?` Preciso voltar pra realidade!
This video made me forget everything! 😂 What day is today? I need to get back to reality!
Expresses being engrossed, losing track of time.
Entendo. E sobre o cronograma do projeto, `que dia é hoje?` Para que eu possa alinhar minhas tarefas.
I understand. And regarding the project timeline, what day is today? So I can align my tasks.
Used professionally to track progress and deadlines.
Olá João, só para confirmar, o prazo para a apresentação é amanhã, certo? `Que dia é hoje?` Só para eu não me confundir.
Hi João, just to confirm, the deadline for the presentation is tomorrow, right? What day is today? Just so I don't get confused.
A slightly more formal, but still friendly, confirmation.
✗ `Que dia foi hoje?` na festa ontem? → ✓ `Que dia é hoje?`
✗ What day was today at the party yesterday? → ✓ What day is today?
Incorrectly uses past tense ('foi') when asking about the present day.
✗ `Que dia é hoje?` para o meu aniversário? → ✓ `Que dia é hoje?` (para saber o dia da semana) / Qual a data do meu aniversário?
✗ What day is today for my birthday? → ✓ What day is today? (to know the day of the week) / What is the date of my birthday?
Confuses asking for the day of the week with the specific date.
Mais uma segunda-feira... `Que dia é hoje?` Alguém me belisca!
Another Monday... What day is today? Someone pinch me!
Used humorously to express dislike for Mondays.
Nossa, já se passaram 3 meses desde que nos conhecemos. `Que dia é hoje?` Parece que foi ontem!
Wow, it's already been 3 months since we met. What day is today? It feels like yesterday!
Used to express surprise at the passage of time in an emotional context.
Olá, viajantes! Bem-vindos a mais um dia na estrada. `Que dia é hoje?` Vamos descobrir juntos!
Hello, travelers! Welcome to another day on the road. What day is today? Let's find out together!
Engaging way to start a travel segment, building anticipation.
Test Yourself
Complete the question to ask what day it is.
Que ______ é hoje?
The word 'dia' means 'day', which is what we are asking for.
Which is the most natural way to ask the date in Brazil?
Choose the correct option:
'Que dia é hoje?' is the standard, most natural form.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Que dia é hoje? B: Hoje é ___________.
The answer to 'what day' should be a day of the week like 'segunda-feira' (Monday).
Match the question to the correct context.
1. Que dia é hoje? 2. Que horas são? 3. Quando é seu aniversário?
Each question has a specific temporal focus: day, hour, or specific event.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Brazil vs Portugal
Practice Bank
4 exercisesQue ______ é hoje?
The word 'dia' means 'day', which is what we are asking for.
Choose the correct option:
'Que dia é hoje?' is the standard, most natural form.
A: Que dia é hoje? B: Hoje é ___________.
The answer to 'what day' should be a day of the week like 'segunda-feira' (Monday).
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Each question has a specific temporal focus: day, hour, or specific event.
🎉 Score: /4
Video Tutorials
Find video tutorials on YouTube for this phrase.
Frequently Asked Questions
14 questionsYes, it is correct and slightly more formal, but 'Que dia é hoje?' is more common.
You can say 'Hoje é [day of week]' or 'Hoje é dia [number]'.
Usually, but you can also say 'Hoje é que dia?' in very casual conversation.
'Feira' is the full name, but in casual speech, people often drop it and just say 'segunda', 'terça', etc.
No, 'Que dia é hoje?' is the standard. Adding 'o' ('Que o dia...') is incorrect.
You would ask 'Em que mês estamos?' or 'Que mês é hoje?'.
Yes, though 'A quantos estamos?' is a popular alternative there.
Use 'Que dia é [event]?', for example: 'Que dia é o seu aniversário?'.
No, for the year use 'Em que ano estamos?'.
It's an adverb, so it doesn't have gender, but 'dia' is masculine.
'Dia' can be the day of the week or the number; 'data' is specifically the full calendar date (day/month/year).
It's understandable but sounds unnatural. Stick to 'Que dia é hoje?'.
No, in Portuguese, the letter 'h' is always silent at the beginning of words.
Usually a very happy 'Hoje é sexta-feira!'
Related Phrases
Que horas são?
similarWhat time is it?
Qual é a data?
synonymWhat is the date?
A quantos estamos?
specialized formWhat's the date?
Ontem foi que dia?
builds onWhat day was yesterday?
Amanhã é que dia?
builds onWhat day is tomorrow?
Dia sim, dia não
contrastEvery other day
