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antes de ontem

A2 noun #3,500 most common 13 min read

antes de ontem

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Practice it Examples Notes & Tips antes de ontem in 30 Seconds

Explanation antes de ontem in your Level:

At the A1 level, learners are introduced to basic time markers. 'Antes de ontem' is a bit more advanced than 'hoje' (today) or 'ontem' (yesterday), but it's essential for simple storytelling. At this stage, you should focus on the literal meaning: 'antes' (before) + 'de' (of) + 'ontem' (yesterday). Think of it as a fixed phrase that tells you exactly which day you are talking about. You will use it with simple past verbs like 'fui' (I went), 'comi' (I ate), or 'vi' (I saw). Don't worry about the single-word version 'anteontem' yet; just get comfortable with the three-word structure. It helps you talk about your weekend or recent activities with more detail than just saying 'yesterday'. For example, if today is Tuesday, and you want to say what you did on Sunday, you use 'antes de ontem'. It's a very practical tool for basic communication and helps you avoid getting stuck only talking about today.

At the A2 level, you should be comfortable using 'antes de ontem' in various contexts. You are now expected to use the Pretérito Perfeito (Simple Past) correctly with this phrase. You should also start noticing the alternative 'anteontem' and understand that it means the same thing. This is the stage where you begin to add more detail, like 'antes de ontem de manhã' (the morning of the day before yesterday). You should practice using it to clarify timelines in conversations, such as when you last attended a class or when you last spoke to a friend. You'll also encounter it in short reading passages and listening exercises. A key goal at A2 is to distinguish it clearly from 'depois de amanhã' (the day after tomorrow), ensuring you don't mix up the past and the future. You are building a more solid temporal map in Portuguese, and this phrase is a major landmark on that map.

By B1, 'antes de ontem' should be a natural part of your vocabulary. You no longer have to translate it in your head; you simply use it to anchor your narratives. At this intermediate level, you'll use it in more complex sentences involving conjunctions and relative clauses. You might say, 'Antes de ontem, quando eu estava saindo de casa, percebi que tinha esquecido as chaves.' Here, the phrase sets the scene for a more detailed story. You should also be aware of regional differences—noticing that Brazilians might use 'antes de ontem' more in speech, while Portuguese speakers might lean towards 'anteontem'. You can start using it in professional contexts as well, like in emails to confirm when a task was completed. Your understanding of 'antes de ontem' now includes its role in managing the flow of information in a conversation, helping you provide precise context without needing to look at a calendar.

At the B2 level, you are refining your usage and understanding the stylistic nuances. You might choose between 'antes de ontem', 'anteontem', and 'há dois dias' depending on the emphasis you want to create. You understand that 'antes de ontem' is perfect for casual, direct narrative, whereas 'há dois dias' might be used for more formal or duration-focused reporting. You can handle this phrase in fast-paced conversations and complex debates. You might also encounter it in literature or more sophisticated news articles where the author uses it to create a specific rhythm or tone. At this stage, you should also be familiar with even more distant markers like 'trás-anteontem' (three days ago), even if you don't use them every day. Your grasp of the phrase is now integrated into a wider system of temporal logic that allows you to move fluidly between different points in the past.

As a C1 learner, you have a near-native command of 'antes de ontem'. You use it with perfect timing and intonation. You understand its role in rhythmic prose and can identify when a writer uses it to evoke a certain mood. You are also aware of archaic or highly regional variations and can understand them in context. You might use the phrase in academic or highly formal writing to establish a precise timeline for historical or social events. Your mastery includes the ability to use 'antes de ontem' in hypothetical or conditional structures, such as 'Se eu tivesse feito isso antes de ontem, não estaríamos com este problema agora.' You understand the subtle implications of using the full phrase versus the contraction 'anteontem' in terms of register and social context. The phrase is no longer a 'vocabulary word' but a versatile tool in your extensive linguistic toolkit.

At the C2 level, your use of 'antes de ontem' is indistinguishable from that of a highly educated native speaker. You can play with the phrase stylistically, perhaps using it in poetry or creative writing to anchor a specific temporal atmosphere. You understand the deep etymological roots and the historical evolution of the phrase from Latin to modern Portuguese. You can navigate the most subtle regional nuances across the entire Lusophone world, knowing exactly where 'antes de ontem' is preferred over 'anteontem'. You are also capable of explaining these nuances to others, acting as a linguistic bridge. Whether in a high-level legal document, a complex philosophical treatise, or a casual conversation in a local dialect, you use this temporal marker with absolute precision and cultural awareness. It is a seamless part of your total fluency in the language.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

antes de ontem in 30 Seconds

Antes de ontem refers to the day before yesterday. It is a common temporal marker in Portuguese used to pinpoint events two days in the past.
It is composed of three words: 'antes' (before), 'de' (of), and 'ontem' (yesterday). Together they form a fixed adverbial phrase.
You should use the Simple Past tense (Pretérito Perfeito) with this phrase because it refers to a completed action at a specific time.
A common synonym is the single word 'anteontem', which is more frequent in Portugal and in formal written Brazilian Portuguese.

The Portuguese expression antes de ontem is a fundamental temporal marker used to identify the specific day occurring forty-eight hours prior to the current moment. Translated literally as "before of yesterday," it serves as a bridge between the immediate past and the more distant historical past. While English speakers use the three-word phrase "the day before yesterday," Portuguese speakers have two options: the multi-word locution antes de ontem or the single-word contraction anteontem. Both are widely accepted, though antes de ontem often feels slightly more analytical and is exceptionally common in spoken Brazilian Portuguese.

Temporal Placement: It refers to the day that preceded yesterday. If today is Wednesday, antes de ontem was Monday.
Grammatical Function: It functions as an adverbial phrase of time, usually appearing at the beginning or the end of a sentence to provide context for a past action.

In everyday life, this phrase is indispensable for scheduling, storytelling, and clarifying timelines. It provides a level of precision that general terms like "recently" or "a few days ago" lack. When you use antes de ontem, you are pinpointing a specific calendar date without necessarily naming the day of the week. This is particularly useful in work environments, medical consultations, and social planning where exactness regarding the past is required to coordinate future events.

Eu terminei o relatório antes de ontem, então você já deve ter recebido o e-mail.

Culturally, the way Portuguese speakers perceive time is deeply embedded in these relative markers. Unlike some languages that might prefer specific dates, Portuguese relies heavily on the relationship between "today" (hoje), "yesterday" (ontem), and "the day before yesterday" (antes de ontem). It creates a narrative flow that is easy to follow in conversation. Interestingly, in some regional dialects of Portugal and Brazil, you might even hear trás-anteontem, which refers to three days ago (the day before the day before yesterday), showing how the language builds upon this core phrase to extend its reach into the past.

Furthermore, the phrase carries a psychological weight of "recent but not immediate." If something happened ontem, the memory is fresh and perhaps the consequences are still unfolding. If it happened antes de ontem, it has entered the realm of established history, even if it was only two days ago. This subtle distinction helps speakers prioritize information. In news reporting, using this phrase anchors the viewer in a shared timeline, making the information feel relevant and current.

A encomenda chegou antes de ontem à tarde.

Regional Usage: In Brazil, antes de ontem is very common in oral speech, whereas in Portugal, the synthetic form anteontem is equally frequent even in casual talk.

In summary, mastering antes de ontem is a key step for any A2 learner. It allows for a more sophisticated description of past events than simply using "ontem" for everything that happened before today. It shows a grasp of the internal logic of the Portuguese temporal system and allows for clearer communication in both formal and informal settings.

Using antes de ontem correctly involves more than just knowing the translation; it requires understanding its placement within a sentence and its interaction with verb tenses. Primarily, this phrase acts as an adverbial of time. It can be placed at the very beginning of a sentence to set the stage, or at the end for emphasis or clarification. Unlike some other temporal markers, it rarely sits between the subject and the verb unless for very specific stylistic reasons.

Sentence Initial Position: Setting the time frame first: "Antes de ontem, eu fui ao cinema." (The day before yesterday, I went to the cinema.)
Sentence Final Position: Adding the time as a detail: "Nós comemos pizza antes de ontem." (We ate pizza the day before yesterday.)

The most critical grammatical rule to remember is the choice of verb tense. Because antes de ontem refers to a specific, completed point in time, it is almost exclusively used with the Pretérito Perfeito Simples (Simple Past). This tense denotes actions that started and finished at a definite moment in the past. Using the Pretérito Imperfeito (Imperfect Past) with this phrase is rare and usually implies a recurring action that happened to be occurring on that specific day, which is a much more complex construction.

Eles viajaram para o Rio antes de ontem de manhã.

You can also combine antes de ontem with other time indicators to be even more precise. For example, you can specify the time of day: antes de ontem à noite (the night before last), antes de ontem de manhã (the morning of the day before yesterday), or antes de ontem à tarde (the afternoon of the day before yesterday). This flexibility allows for detailed chronological reporting in conversations.

In negative sentences, the structure remains simple: "Eu não vi o Pedro antes de ontem." (I didn't see Pedro the day before yesterday.) The negation "não" stays with the verb, and the temporal marker follows its usual placement rules. When asking questions, antes de ontem often appears at the end: "Você ligou para ela antes de ontem?" (Did you call her the day before yesterday?)

O que você fez antes de ontem?

Comparative Use: It is often used in contrast with hoje or ontem: "Ontem choveu, mas antes de ontem fez sol."

Finally, consider the rhythm of the sentence. Portuguese is a musical language, and antes de ontem has a distinct dactylic flow (AN-tes de ON-tem). Placing it at the end of a sentence often provides a satisfying rhythmic conclusion to an utterance. As you practice, try saying the sentences out loud to get a feel for how this phrase anchors the meaning and the sound of your speech.

The phrase antes de ontem is ubiquitous in the Lusophone world. You will hear it in the bustling streets of São Paulo, the historic cafes of Lisbon, and the seaside markets of Luanda. It is not a "textbook only" phrase; it is a living part of the daily lexicon. One of the most common places to encounter it is in personal anecdotes. When people describe their week, they naturally anchor events to these relative points. "I saw that movie antes de ontem" is a standard way to start a conversation about cinema.

A reunião foi cancelada antes de ontem.

In the professional world, particularly in Brazil, antes de ontem is frequently used in emails and meetings to refer to recent deadlines or communications. A manager might say, "I sent the feedback antes de ontem," emphasizing that the recipient has had ample time to review it. It carries a sense of "recently enough that you should remember, but long enough ago that action should have been taken."

News and Media: Journalists use it to provide a timeline for developing stories. "The incident occurred antes de ontem in the northern district."
Customer Service: When tracking a package or complaining about a service: "Eu fiz o pedido antes de ontem."

In Brazilian Telenovelas and Portuguese soap operas, characters often use antes de ontem to recount dramatic events or secrets revealed in previous episodes. It acts as a narrative glue. You'll also hear it in music, particularly in genres like Samba or Fado, where lyrics often deal with the passage of time, nostalgia, and the immediate past. The phrase fits well into the poetic structure of lyrics that lament a love lost "just the other day."

Socially, if you are invited to a party and can't remember when you last saw the host, saying "We saw each other antes de ontem, right?" is a polite way to establish the timeline. It's also common in sports commentary when referring to a previous match in a tournament. "The team played antes de ontem and might be tired today." This wide range of contexts—from the high-stakes world of news to the casual chatter of a dinner party—makes it a high-frequency expression that you simply cannot avoid if you are engaging with the Portuguese language.

O médico me disse isso antes de ontem.

Lastly, listen for it in podcasts and YouTube vlogs. Content creators often use it to reference their filming schedule or events they've participated in. It helps create a sense of intimacy and "real-time" connection with the audience. By using antes de ontem, they are inviting you into their personal timeline, making their stories feel more grounded and relatable.

One of the most frequent errors English speakers make when learning antes de ontem is trying to translate the English phrase "the day before yesterday" too literally. They might try to say "o dia antes de ontem," which, while technically understandable, sounds redundant and unnatural to a native ear. The phrase antes de ontem already encompasses the "day" part of the meaning.

Mistake: Literal Translation: Avoid: "O dia antes de ontem eu comi peixe." Correct: "Antes de ontem eu comi peixe."
Mistake: Tense Mismatch: Avoid: "Eu vou ao banco antes de ontem." (Using future tense). Correct: "Eu fui ao banco antes de ontem."

Another common pitfall is the confusion between antes de ontem and depois de amanhã. Because both are three-word phrases referring to a two-day offset from today, learners often swap them. It helps to visualize a timeline: antes means "before," and depois means "after." Anchoring the first word of the phrase to the direction of time is the best way to prevent this mix-up.

Lembre-se: antes = past; depois = future.

Some students also struggle with the preposition de. They might omit it and say "antes ontem" or use the wrong one like "antes em ontem." In Portuguese, the preposition "de" is essential here to link the adverb "antes" with the noun/adverb "ontem." Think of it as a fixed unit that cannot be broken or modified. Similarly, avoid adding articles like "o antes de ontem" unless you are specifically referring to the day as a noun (which is very rare and poetic).

Pronunciation can also be a hurdle. Some learners emphasize the "de" too much. In natural speech, the "de" often blends into the surrounding words, sounding almost like "antes-d'ontem." If you over-enunciate each word, you might sound like a robot. Practice the flow of the phrase as a single rhythmic unit rather than three distinct words. This will make your Portuguese sound much more authentic and fluid.

Errado: Eu estava lá antes de ontem. (Unless it was a continuous state). Correto: Eu estive lá antes de ontem.

Spelling Note: Make sure not to write it as one word "antesdeontem." It must remain three separate words in standard orthography.

Finally, be careful with the word ontem itself. Some learners confuse it with então (then) or onde (where) because of the similar nasal sounds. Ensuring you have a solid grasp of "ontem" is the prerequisite for using "antes de ontem" correctly. If the foundation is shaky, the complex phrase will also be prone to errors.

While antes de ontem is the most common way to say "the day before yesterday" in many contexts, the Portuguese language offers several alternatives and related terms that can enrich your vocabulary and help you understand different registers of speech.

Anteontem: This is the direct synonym. It is a single word (contraction) and is considered slightly more formal or literary in Brazil, but very standard and common in Portugal. Use it when you want to be concise.
Trás-anteontem: This refers to three days ago. It is less common but very useful for precise storytelling. It literally means "behind the day before yesterday."
Há dois dias: Meaning "two days ago." This is a more mathematical way of expressing the same time frame. It is very common and useful if you forget the specific word for "the day before yesterday."

Comparing antes de ontem with há dois dias is interesting. While they often refer to the same day, antes de ontem focuses on the day as a calendar unit, whereas há dois dias focuses on the duration of time that has passed since the event. If it is Monday morning and you are talking about Saturday night, both work perfectly. However, if it is Monday evening and you are talking about something that happened 48 hours ago exactly, há dois dias might feel more precise.

Comparação: "Eu te liguei antes de ontem" (focus on the day) vs. "Eu te liguei há dois dias" (focus on the elapsed time).

In more literary or old-fashioned contexts, you might find noutro dia (the other day). While less specific than antes de ontem, it serves a similar purpose of pointing to a recent past. However, noutro dia could mean anything from two days ago to a week ago. If you want to be vague, use noutro dia; if you want to be specific, use antes de ontem.

Another related term is passado. You can say no sábado passado (last Saturday). If today is Monday, "no sábado passado" is the same as "antes de ontem." Choosing between them depends on whether you want to emphasize the name of the day or its relative position to today. Usually, if the day is very close (like two days ago), the relative marker antes de ontem is preferred because it's quicker and more intuitive.

"Viemos aqui antes de ontem." = "Viemos aqui anteontem."

Finally, consider the opposite: depois de amanhã. Just as antes de ontem looks back two days, depois de amanhã looks forward two days. Learning these as a pair—the past and future bookends of the current three-day window (yesterday, today, tomorrow)—is a powerful way to solidify your grasp of Portuguese time expressions. By understanding these alternatives, you gain the flexibility to adjust your tone and precision according to the situation.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

"A referida petição foi protocolada anteontem."

Neutral

"Eu recebi o pacote antes de ontem."

Informal

"Vi o cara lá antes de ontem, sabe?"

Child friendly

"A gente brincou no parquinho antes de ontem!"

Slang

"O bagulho doido rolou antes de ontem, mano."

Fun Fact

The single-word version 'anteontem' is a direct contraction that follows the same logic as the Spanish 'anteayer' or French 'avant-hier'.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ˈɐ̃.tʃiz dʒi ˈõ.tẽj̃/

US /ˈan.tes de ˈon.tem/

Primary stress on 'AN-tes' and 'ON-tem'. The word 'de' is unstressed.

Rhymes With

ontem contem montem apontem desmontem remontem afrontem confrontem

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'ontem' with a hard 'm' sound at the end (it should be a nasal vowel).
Failing to nasalize the 'an' in 'antes'.
Over-emphasizing the word 'de'.
Pronouncing 'antes' as 'an-tays' instead of 'an-chis' (in Brazil).
Merging the whole phrase into one incomprehensible sound.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize if you know 'antes' and 'ontem'.

Writing 3/5

Requires remembering the 'de' and correct spacing.

Speaking 3/5

Requires good rhythm and nasalization of 'ontem'.

Listening 3/5

Can be hard to catch if spoken quickly as it blends together.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

antes de ontem hoje passado

Learn Next

depois de amanhã anteontem trás-anteontem há dois dias semana passada

Advanced

pretérito mais-que-perfeito locuções adverbiais de tempo deíticos temporais cronologia narrativa

Grammar to Know

Use of Pretérito Perfeito Simples

Eu **fui** ao cinema antes de ontem.

Placement of Adverbial Phrases

Antes de ontem eu estudei. / Eu estudei antes de ontem.

Contraction of Prepositions

A notícia **de** antes de ontem (de + antes).

Nasal Vowel Pronunciation

The 'em' in 'ontem' is a nasal diphthong [ẽj̃].

Difference between 'Há' and 'Antes de'

Há dois dias (duration) vs Antes de ontem (specific day).

Examples by Level

Eu comi pizza antes de ontem.

I ate pizza the day before yesterday.

Simple past 'comi' is used with this time marker.

Ela foi ao parque antes de ontem.

She went to the park the day before yesterday.

The verb 'ir' (to go) in the past is 'foi'.

Antes de ontem foi domingo.

The day before yesterday was Sunday.

Using 'foi' as the past of 'ser' to identify a day.

Nós vimos um filme antes de ontem.

We watched a movie the day before yesterday.

Past tense of 'ver' (to see/watch) is 'vimos'.

Você estudou antes de ontem?

Did you study the day before yesterday?

Question form in the past tense.

Eles chegaram antes de ontem.

They arrived the day before yesterday.

Past tense of 'chegar' (to arrive).

Antes de ontem eu comprei pão.

The day before yesterday I bought bread.

Past tense of 'comprar' (to buy).

O gato fugiu antes de ontem.

The cat ran away the day before yesterday.

Past tense of 'fugir' (to run away).

Eu terminei a tarefa antes de ontem à noite.

I finished the task the night before last.

Adding 'à noite' to specify the time of day.

Nós não fomos trabalhar antes de ontem.

We didn't go to work the day before yesterday.

Negative past tense construction.

Antes de ontem, o tempo estava muito bom.

The day before yesterday, the weather was very good.

Using 'estava' for a past state (weather).

Ela me ligou antes de ontem à tarde.

She called me the day before yesterday in the afternoon.

Adding 'à tarde' for more precision.

Você viu o meu e-mail de antes de ontem?

Did you see my email from the day before yesterday?

Using the phrase as an adjective for the email.

Antes de ontem, eu perdi as minhas chaves.

The day before yesterday, I lost my keys.

Past tense of 'perder' (to lose).

Onde você estava antes de ontem?

Where were you the day before yesterday?

Question about a past location.

Eles viajaram antes de ontem de manhã.

They traveled the day before yesterday in the morning.

Adding 'de manhã' for specific timing.

Antes de ontem, eu percebi que precisava de férias.

The day before yesterday, I realized I needed a vacation.

Using a verb of perception 'perceber' in the past.

Já tínhamos resolvido isso antes de ontem.

We had already resolved this the day before yesterday.

Pluperfect tense 'tínhamos resolvido' used with the marker.

Desde antes de ontem que eu não me sinto bem.

I haven't been feeling well since the day before yesterday.

Using 'desde' to show a duration starting from that point.

Antes de ontem foi o dia mais frio do mês.

The day before yesterday was the coldest day of the month.

Superlative 'o mais frio' used with the past date.

Se eu soubesse disso antes de ontem, teria feito diferente.

If I had known that the day before yesterday, I would have done it differently.

Conditional structure involving the past marker.

O pagamento foi efetuado antes de ontem, conforme o combinado.

The payment was made the day before yesterday, as agreed.

Passive voice 'foi efetuado' in a formal context.

Antes de ontem, a cidade estava um caos por causa da chuva.

The day before yesterday, the city was in chaos because of the rain.

Descriptive past 'estava' for a situation.

Você não disse que ia fazer isso antes de ontem?

Didn't you say you were going to do that the day before yesterday?

Reported speech in a question.

O escândalo estourou antes de ontem, pegando todos de surpresa.

The scandal broke the day before yesterday, catching everyone by surprise.

Using a more idiomatic verb 'estourar' (to break/explode).

A notícia que recebemos antes de ontem mudou os nossos planos.

The news we received the day before yesterday changed our plans.

Relative clause 'que recebemos' modifying 'a notícia'.

Antes de ontem, houve um debate acalorado no parlamento.

The day before yesterday, there was a heated debate in parliament.

Using 'houve' (there was) for events.

Eu poderia ter jurado que te vi no shopping antes de ontem.

I could have sworn I saw you at the mall the day before yesterday.

Modal verb 'poderia ter jurado' in the past.

Antes de ontem, o mercado financeiro sofreu uma queda brusca.

The day before yesterday, the financial market suffered a sharp drop.

Economic context with specific vocabulary.

Tudo o que aconteceu antes de ontem parece agora muito distante.

Everything that happened the day before yesterday seems very distant now.

Reflective tone using 'parece' (seems).

Antes de ontem, celebramos o aniversário de fundação da empresa.

The day before yesterday, we celebrated the company's founding anniversary.

Formal verb 'celebrar' in the past.

A greve que começou antes de ontem continua afetando o transporte.

The strike that started the day before yesterday continues to affect transport.

Connecting past start with present continuation.

A conjuntura política que se desenhou antes de ontem é preocupante.

The political situation that emerged the day before yesterday is worrying.

High-level vocabulary 'conjuntura' and 'desenhou'.

Antes de ontem, assistimos a uma reviravolta sem precedentes na história do clube.

The day before yesterday, we witnessed an unprecedented turnaround in the club's history.

Idiomatic expression 'reviravolta sem precedentes'.

O decreto publicado antes de ontem gerou controvérsia entre os juristas.

The decree published the day before yesterday sparked controversy among legal experts.

Legal context with 'decreto' and 'controvérsia'.

Antes de ontem, a atmosfera na reunião estava carregada de tensão.

The day before yesterday, the atmosphere at the meeting was charged with tension.

Metaphorical use of 'atmosfera' and 'carregada'.

A obra que foi inaugurada antes de ontem já apresenta falhas estruturais.

The work that was inaugurated the day before yesterday already shows structural flaws.

Critique of engineering/construction.

Antes de ontem, o autor proferiu uma palestra memorável na universidade.

The day before yesterday, the author gave a memorable lecture at the university.

Formal verb 'proferiu' (delivered/gave).

A decisão tomada antes de ontem terá repercussões a longo prazo.

The decision made the day before yesterday will have long-term repercussions.

Forecasting consequences of a past action.

Antes de ontem, a cidade mergulhou num silêncio absoluto após o anúncio.

The day before yesterday, the city plunged into absolute silence after the announcement.

Literary/poetic description of an event.

O hiato temporal entre o ocorrido antes de ontem e a reação de hoje é injustificável.

The time gap between what happened the day before yesterday and today's reaction is unjustifiable.

Abstract noun 'hiato temporal' (time gap).

Antes de ontem, a narrativa oficial foi posta em xeque por novas evidências.

The day before yesterday, the official narrative was challenged by new evidence.

Idiom 'posta em xeque' (called into question).

A efemeridade do sucesso ficou clara com os eventos de antes de ontem.

The fleeting nature of success became clear with the events of the day before yesterday.

Philosophical concept 'efemeridade' (ephemerality).

Antes de ontem, assistiu-se a uma erosão dos valores democráticos sem par.

The day before yesterday, an unparalleled erosion of democratic values was witnessed.

Impersonal 'se' construction with 'assistiu-se'.

O que se afigurava como certo antes de ontem, hoje é pura incerteza.

What seemed certain the day before yesterday is today pure uncertainty.

Pronominal verb 'afigurar-se' (to seem/appear).

Antes de ontem, a bolsa de valores experienciou uma volatilidade sem precedentes.

The day before yesterday, the stock exchange experienced unprecedented volatility.

Advanced economic vocabulary.

A ressonância dos atos de antes de ontem ainda se faz sentir na sociedade.

The resonance of the acts of the day before yesterday is still felt in society.

Metaphorical use of 'ressonância'.

Antes de ontem, a diplomacia falhou redondamente em evitar o conflito.

The day before yesterday, diplomacy failed completely to avoid the conflict.

Adverbial use of 'redondamente' (completely/roundly).

Common Collocations

antes de ontem à noite

antes de ontem de manhã

antes de ontem à tarde

desde antes de ontem

até antes de ontem

precisamente antes de ontem

logo antes de ontem

exatamente antes de ontem

antes de ontem mesmo

só antes de ontem

Common Phrases

Foi antes de ontem.

— A simple statement confirming when something happened. Used frequently to settle timeline debates.

Quando você comprou isso? Foi antes de ontem.

Desde antes de ontem.

— Indicates that a state or action has been ongoing since two days ago. Often used for complaints or health issues.

Estou com dor de cabeça desde antes de ontem.

Antes de ontem à noitinha.

— Refers specifically to the early evening/dusk of the day before yesterday. Very descriptive.

Eles chegaram antes de ontem à noitinha.

Até antes de ontem.

— Describes a situation that was true up until two days ago. Implies a recent change.

Até antes de ontem, o preço era menor.

Antes de ontem foi o dia.

— Used when emphasizing that a specific event made that day notable. Often followed by 'em que'.

Antes de ontem foi o dia em que tudo mudou.

Não foi ontem, foi antes de ontem.

— A common correction to clarify that an event was slightly further in the past than suggested.

Você foi lá ontem? Não, foi antes de ontem.

Lá para antes de ontem.

— A more relaxed, approximate way of saying 'around the day before yesterday'. Common in Brazil.

Eu vi o filme lá para antes de ontem.

Mesmo antes de ontem.

— Adds emphasis that the event definitely happened on that day and no other.

Eu te mandei o arquivo mesmo antes de ontem.

Antes de ontem de madrugadinha.

— Refers to the very early hours (dawn) of the day before yesterday. Very specific.

O avião pousou antes de ontem de madrugadinha.

O antes de ontem.

— Using the phrase as a noun to refer to the day itself. Rare, mostly in poetic or philosophical speech.

O antes de ontem já não importa mais.

Often Confused With

antes de ontem vs depois de amanhã

This is the future version (day after tomorrow). Remember 'antes' is past, 'depois' is future.

antes de ontem vs anteontem

Not really a confusion, but a synonym. They mean exactly the same thing.

antes de ontem vs ontem à noite

Learners often say 'antes de ontem' when they just mean last night. Make sure it's 48 hours ago!

Idioms & Expressions

"Não deixar para antes de ontem"

— A variation of 'don't leave for tomorrow', suggesting someone is already too late. Very informal and sarcastic.

Você devia ter feito isso antes de ontem!

Slang/Sarcastic

"Memória de antes de ontem"

— Refers to a very short-term memory, usually used jokingly to say someone forgets things quickly.

Minha memória de antes de ontem está falhando.

Informal

"Notícia de antes de ontem"

— Refers to something that is no longer news or is already well-known. Similar to 'yesterday's news'.

Isso aí é notícia de antes de ontem, todo mundo já sabe.

Neutral

"Viver no antes de ontem"

— To be stuck in the past, even if it's the very recent past. Refusing to move on.

Ele ainda está vivendo no antes de ontem, não aceita a mudança.

Metaphorical

"Parecer que foi antes de ontem"

— Used when something that happened a long time ago feels very recent.

Nossa formatura? Parece que foi antes de ontem.

Casual

"Desde antes de ontem que eu digo"

— Emphasizes that the speaker has been repeating the same thing for days.

Desde antes de ontem que eu digo para você ter cuidado.

Informal

"Mais velho que antes de ontem"

— A playful way to say something is old or outdated, even if just by a little bit.

Esse celular já é mais velho que antes de ontem.

Humorous

"Antes de ontem foi tarde"

— Suggests that something should have happened even earlier than two days ago.

Ele pediu demissão? Antes de ontem foi tarde!

Informal/Expressive

"Perdido no antes de ontem"

— Being confused about dates or recent events.

Estou totalmente perdido no antes de ontem, que dia é hoje?

Casual

"O ontem do antes de ontem"

— A convoluted way to refer to three days ago. Used for comedic effect or in complex riddles.

Isso foi no ontem do antes de ontem.

Playful

Easily Confused

antes de ontem vs anteontem

It sounds different but means the same.

Anteontem is a single word contraction; antes de ontem is a multi-word locution. Anteontem is slightly more formal.

Prefiro escrever 'anteontem' no meu diário.

antes de ontem vs trás-anteontem

Related to the same temporal logic.

Trás-anteontem is three days ago, while antes de ontem is two days ago.

Isso foi há muito tempo, foi no trás-anteontem.

antes de ontem vs passado

Both refer to the past.

Passado is a general adjective; antes de ontem is a specific day marker.

O tempo passado não volta, mas antes de ontem foi legal.

antes de ontem vs anterior

Similar root to 'antes'.

Anterior is an adjective meaning 'previous'; antes de ontem is an adverbial phrase.

No dia anterior a antes de ontem (three days ago).

antes de ontem vs outrora

Both deal with time.

Outrora means 'formerly' or 'in olden times', much further back than 'antes de ontem'.

Outrora as coisas eram diferentes, mas antes de ontem foram normais.

Sentence Patterns

Eu [verbo] antes de ontem.

Eu corri antes de ontem.

Antes de ontem, eu [verbo] [complemento].

Antes de ontem, eu comprei um carro.

Desde antes de ontem que [frase].

Desde antes de ontem que eu estou cansado.

Foi antes de ontem que [evento].

Foi antes de ontem que percebemos o problema.

A despeito do ocorrido antes de ontem...

A despeito do ocorrido antes de ontem, continuaremos o plano.

Não obstante os fatos de antes de ontem...

Não obstante os fatos de antes de ontem, a paz prevalece.

Mixed

Antes de ontem [período do dia]...

Antes de ontem à tarde eu dormi.

Questions

Você [verbo] antes de ontem?

Você viajou antes de ontem?

Word Family

Nouns

How to Use It

frequency

Very High in daily conversation.

Common Mistakes

Using 'antes de ontem' with present tense. → Eu fui ao mercado antes de ontem.
Since it refers to the past, you must use a past tense verb. 'Eu vou' (I go) is incorrect.
Saying 'antes ontem' without the 'de'. → Antes de ontem.
The preposition 'de' is mandatory to link the two words together in this locution.
Confusing it with 'depois de amanhã'. → Antes de ontem (past) / Depois de amanhã (future).
Learners often mix these up because they have the same structure. Remember: Antes = Past.
Writing 'antesdeontem' as one word. → Antes de ontem.
It must be written as three separate words. Only 'anteontem' is written as one word.
Adding 'o dia' before the phrase. → Antes de ontem eu estudei.
While 'the day before yesterday' has 'the day' in English, Portuguese doesn't need 'o dia' here.

Tips

Verb Tense Consistency

Always pair 'antes de ontem' with the Pretérito Perfeito Simples (e.g., fui, fiz, comeu). This ensures you are describing a completed action in the past correctly.

Learn the Pair

Learn 'antes de ontem' alongside 'depois de amanhã'. They are perfect mirrors of each other and help you master the 5-day window around 'today'.

Nasalization is Key

Focus on the nasal sound at the end of 'ontem'. It sounds like the 'ng' in 'sing' but without the 'g' actually being pronounced. Your tongue stays down.

Writing Formal Letters

When writing a formal business email, use 'anteontem'. It shows a slightly higher level of literacy and professional polish than the three-word version.

Rhythm Recognition

Listen for the three-beat rhythm: DA-da-DA. This rhythmic pattern is a great clue that someone is using a temporal locution like 'antes de ontem'.

Regional Awareness

If you are in Portugal, try using 'anteontem' more often. If you are in Brazil, 'antes de ontem' will make you sound more like a local.

The Calendar Trick

Whenever you use the phrase, visualize moving two squares back on a calendar. This physical/mental movement helps lock the meaning into your long-term memory.

Be Precise

Don't just say 'no passado' if you mean two days ago. Using 'antes de ontem' shows you have specific control over your timeline, which impresses native speakers.

Avoid 'O dia antes de ontem'

English speakers often add 'o dia' (the day). In Portuguese, this is redundant. Just say 'antes de ontem' and you're good to go.

Daily Recap

Every evening, try to think of one thing you did 'antes de ontem'. It's a great 30-second mental exercise to keep your past tense and temporal markers sharp.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Antes' as 'Ancient' (past) and 'Ontem' as 'One day ago'. So 'Antes de Ontem' is the 'Ancient' day before the 'One day ago' day.

Visual Association

Imagine a calendar. Put your finger on 'Today'. Jump back one to 'Yesterday' (Ontem). Jump back one more to 'Antes de Ontem'.

Word Web

Ontem Hoje Amanhã Antes Depois Passado Futuro Tempo

Challenge

Try to tell a friend three things you did antes de ontem using three different verbs in the past tense.

Word Origin

From Latin 'ante' (before) + 'de' (of) + 'ad noctem' (to night/yesterday). The Portuguese 'ontem' derives from the Latin 'ad noctem'.

Original meaning: The literal meaning has remained 'before yesterday' since its formation in early Romance languages.

Romance (Latin-based).

Cultural Context

No specific sensitivities, but be careful with verb tenses to avoid sounding uneducated.

English speakers use 'the day before yesterday', which is also a three-word phrase, making the transition to 'antes de ontem' very intuitive.

Often used in Brazilian 'Crônicas' (short stories) to ground the narrative in recent reality. Common in Fado lyrics to express the recent loss of a loved one. Used in news headlines to report on recent governmental decisions.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Work/Professional

A reunião de antes de ontem.
Mandei o relatório antes de ontem.
O prazo venceu antes de ontem.
Conforme falamos antes de ontem.

Social/Casual

Onde você estava antes de ontem?
Vi você no shopping antes de ontem.
Fomos à festa antes de ontem.
O que você comeu antes de ontem?

Medical/Health

A dor começou antes de ontem.
Tomei o remédio antes de ontem.
Senti tontura antes de ontem.
Não durmo bem desde antes de ontem.

Logistics/Shopping

O pedido foi feito antes de ontem.
A entrega era para antes de ontem.
Comprei isso antes de ontem.
Estive na loja antes de ontem.

News/Current Events

O acidente ocorreu antes de ontem.
A lei foi aprovada antes de ontem.
O evento terminou antes de ontem.
O anúncio de antes de ontem.

Conversation Starters

"Você lembra o que fez antes de ontem à noite?"

"Antes de ontem eu vi um filme incrível, você quer saber qual?"

"Sabe aquela notícia que saiu antes de ontem no jornal?"

"Você por acaso me ligou antes de ontem? Tinha uma chamada perdida."

"Antes de ontem o tempo estava tão bom, né? Hoje está horrível."

Journal Prompts

Descreva detalhadamente como foi o seu dia antes de ontem.

Existe algo que você deveria ter feito antes de ontem mas esqueceu?

Como você se sentia antes de ontem em comparação com hoje?

Escreva sobre um encontro interessante que você teve antes de ontem.

O que mudou na sua vida desde antes de ontem até agora?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

In Brazil, 'antes de ontem' is significantly more common in spoken language. In Portugal, 'anteontem' is used very frequently in both speech and writing. Both are correct and understood everywhere.

No, you cannot. Since it refers to a specific day in the past, it must be paired with past tenses, usually the Pretérito Perfeito. For future events, use 'depois de amanhã'.

In writing, it is always 'antes de ontem'. In fast speech, the 'e' in 'de' often disappears, making it sound like 'antes d'ontem', but you should not write it that way.

You can say 'trás-anteontem' or simply 'há três dias' (three days ago). 'Trás-anteontem' is more idiomatic but less common than 'há três dias'.

It is three separate words. If you want a single word, use the synonym 'anteontem'.

Yes! 'Antes de ontem, eu fui à praia' is a very natural sentence structure in Portuguese. It sets the timeframe immediately.

No, 'antes de ontem' is an adverbial phrase and is invariable. It does not change for gender or number.

In some rural areas or very informal speech in Brazil, you might hear 'antionte', but it is considered non-standard and should be avoided by learners.

Simply add 'de manhã' to the end: 'antes de ontem de manhã'. This works for all periods of the day (tarde, noite, madrugada).

The 'de' acts as a preposition linking 'antes' (before) to the reference point 'ontem' (yesterday). It's a standard grammatical structure in Portuguese for relative time.