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A1 noun #300 most common 9 min read

Tempo

Top 300

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips Tempo in 30 Seconds

Explanation Tempo in your Level:

At the A1 level, learners focus on the most concrete uses of 'tempo'. You will learn to ask about the weather ('Como está o tempo?') and express basic needs regarding time ('Não tenho tempo'). The focus is on daily survival phrases. You should recognize 'tempo' as a masculine noun and understand its two main meanings: time and weather. You will also learn the phrase 'Quanto tempo?' to ask for duration in a simple way. At this stage, it is crucial to avoid confusing 'tempo' with 'horas' when asking for the time of day. You are building the foundation of your vocabulary, so focus on high-frequency phrases like 'bom tempo' (good weather) and 'muito tempo' (a lot of time).

At the A2 level, you begin to use 'tempo' in more descriptive ways. You can talk about the weather in the past tense ('Ontem o tempo estava bom') and use 'tempo' to describe simple routines ('Eu passo muito tempo estudando'). You will start to encounter common collocations like 'perder tempo' (to waste time) and 'ganhar tempo' (to save/gain time). You should be able to distinguish between 'tempo' and 'vez' more consistently, realizing that 'duas vezes' is the correct way to say 'two times'. Your understanding of 'tempo' expands to include simple idiomatic expressions like 'dar um tempo' (to take a break).

At the B1 level, 'tempo' becomes a tool for expressing more abstract ideas. You can discuss the 'previsão do tempo' (weather forecast) in detail and use 'tempo' to talk about historical eras or stages of life ('No tempo dos meus avós'). You will start using 'tempo' in the plural ('tempos difíceis') and understand its role in grammatical terms ('tempos verbais'). You can participate in conversations about time management and express frustration about 'falta de tempo' (lack of time). You are also expected to understand the difference between 'tempo' and 'clima' in a more nuanced way, using 'clima' for regional patterns.

At the B2 level, you should be comfortable with the idiomatic and metaphorical uses of 'tempo'. You can use phrases like 'dar tempo ao tempo' (to give it time) and 'a tempo e horas' (on time and at the right hour). You understand the use of 'tempo' in sports (first/second half) and in music (rhythm/pace). You can use 'tempo' to construct complex arguments about social changes ('com o passar do tempo'). Your vocabulary includes more specific alternatives like 'época', 'período', and 'prazo', and you know exactly when to substitute 'tempo' for these more precise terms to sound more like a native speaker.

At the C1 level, your use of 'tempo' is sophisticated and nuanced. You can appreciate and use 'tempo' in literary contexts, such as the works of Fernando Pessoa or Machado de Assis, where time is often a central, philosophical theme. You understand the subtle difference between 'há muito tempo' and 'faz muito tempo' and can use them interchangeably with stylistic intent. You are familiar with obscure idioms and can use 'tempo' to discuss complex meteorological phenomena or abstract temporal theories. You can also use the word in formal legal or academic writing, understanding its implications in terms of 'prazos' and 'vigência'.

At the C2 level, you have a near-native command of 'tempo'. You can detect and use the word in archaic or highly specialized contexts. You understand the historical evolution of the word from Latin and how its meanings have shifted in different Lusophone countries (e.g., differences between Brazilian and European Portuguese usage). You can play with the word's polysemy in puns, poetry, and rhetoric. You are fully aware of the rhythmic 'tempo' of the Portuguese language itself—its prosody and cadence. At this level, 'tempo' is not just a word you use; it is a concept you can manipulate to express the finest shades of meaning in any register.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

Tempo in 30 Seconds

Means both 'time' and 'weather'.
Always a masculine noun ('o tempo').
Used with 'fazer' for weather and 'ter' for time.
Essential for daily greetings like 'Quanto tempo!'.

The Portuguese word tempo is a fascinating linguistic pillar because it bridges two concepts that English keeps strictly separate: chronological time and meteorological weather. Understanding this duality is the first step toward fluency. When a Portuguese speaker says 'O tempo voa,' they are reflecting on the passage of time. However, when they say 'O tempo está fechado,' they are commenting on a cloudy, perhaps stormy sky. This polysemy requires the learner to rely heavily on context clues, verb choices, and accompanying adjectives to decipher the intended meaning.

Chronological Time: Refers to the duration, period, or abstract concept of time passing. It is used in phrases like 'perder tempo' (to waste time) or 'há muito tempo' (a long time ago).

Eu preciso de mais tempo para terminar o projeto.

Translation: I need more time to finish the project.

Meteorological Weather: Refers to the state of the atmosphere at a place and time as regards heat, cloudiness, dryness, sunshine, wind, and rain. Phrases like 'previsão do tempo' (weather forecast) are essential.

Como está o tempo em Lisboa hoje?

Translation: How is the weather in Lisbon today?

Beyond these two primary meanings, 'tempo' also appears in musical contexts to denote the speed or pace of a piece, much like the English word 'tempo' borrowed from Italian. In grammar, it refers to verb tenses ('tempos verbais'). Its versatility makes it one of the top 100 most used nouns in the Portuguese language, appearing in everything from casual street slang to complex philosophical treatises on the nature of existence. Whether you are checking your watch or looking out the window, 'tempo' is the word you need.

Historical Context: In older Portuguese literature, 'tempo' often carried a weight of 'destiny' or 'era', similar to how we use 'the times' in English to describe a specific historical period.

Mudam-se os tempos, mudam-se as vontades.

Translation: Times change, desires change (Famous quote by Camões).

Using tempo correctly involves mastering its interaction with verbs like 'fazer', 'ter', 'dar', and 'passar'. Each verb-noun combination unlocks a different aspect of the word's meaning. For weather, the verb 'fazer' is king. In Portuguese, we don't say 'the weather is good' using 'ser' or 'estar' as frequently as we say 'it makes good weather' (faz bom tempo).

Weather Expressions: When describing the atmosphere, use 'fazer'. 'Faz um tempo magnífico' (The weather is magnificent). 'O tempo está' is also common for current states: 'O tempo está chuvoso' (The weather is rainy).

Dizem que vai fazer bom tempo no fim de semana.

Translation: They say the weather will be good on the weekend.

Duration and Availability: When talking about having time or wasting it, use 'ter' or 'perder'. 'Não tenho tempo para isso' (I don't have time for that). 'Não perca seu tempo' (Don't waste your time).

Quanto tempo você leva para chegar ao trabalho?

Translation: How much time does it take you to get to work?

In more advanced usage, 'tempo' can be used to describe an era or a stage in life. 'No meu tempo' is the equivalent of 'In my day' or 'Back in my time'. It is also used for 'time-outs' in sports or taking a break in a relationship ('dar um tempo'). This versatility makes it a high-frequency word that appears in almost every conversation, whether you are discussing a deadline at work or the likelihood of rain for a picnic.

Sports and Breaks: In football (soccer), 'primeiro tempo' and 'segundo tempo' refer to the first and second halves of the match.

O juiz apitou o fim do primeiro tempo.

Translation: The referee blew the whistle for the end of the first half.

You will encounter tempo in almost every facet of Lusophone life. From the morning news to the casual banter at a 'padaria' (bakery), it is omnipresent. In Brazil and Portugal, weather is a standard icebreaker. You will hear people in elevators saying 'Que tempo doido, né?' (Crazy weather, right?) when the temperature shifts unexpectedly. This is a key social lubricant in Portuguese-speaking cultures.

Media and News: On television, look for the 'Previsão do Tempo' segment. Meteorologists will use terms like 'tempo instável' (unstable weather) or 'tempo seco' (dry weather) to describe the upcoming week.

A previsão do tempo indica chuva para amanhã.

Translation: The weather forecast indicates rain for tomorrow.

Workplace and Productivity: In professional settings, 'tempo' is used to discuss deadlines and efficiency. You will hear 'gestão de tempo' (time management) and 'tempo de entrega' (delivery time).

Precisamos otimizar nosso tempo de produção.

Translation: We need to optimize our production time.

Music is another place where 'tempo' shines. From Bossa Nova to Fado, lyrics often lament the passage of time or the 'tempo perdido' (lost time). Legião Urbana, a famous Brazilian rock band, has a legendary song titled 'Tempo Perdido' that explores the philosophical weight of youth and aging. Hearing the word in these emotional contexts helps learners connect with the deeper, more poetic side of the language, moving beyond simple dictionary definitions.

Daily Social Interactions: When meeting a friend after a long period, the standard greeting is 'Quanto tempo!' (Long time no see!). This is an idiomatic use that every learner should memorize immediately.

Nossa, quanto tempo! Como você está?

Translation: Wow, long time no see! How are you?

The most frequent error English speakers make with tempo is using it where they should use vez or hora. In English, 'time' is a catch-all word, but Portuguese is more specific. If you say 'Eu fui lá três tempos,' a native speaker will be confused. You must say 'três vezes' because you are counting instances, not measuring duration.

Tempo vs. Vez: Use 'tempo' for duration (How long?). Use 'vez' for frequency (How many times?). Example: 'Faz muito tempo' (It's been a long time) vs 'Muitas vezes' (Many times).

Eu já vi esse filme três vezes (NOT tempos).

Translation: I have already seen this movie three times.

Tempo vs. Hora: When asking for the specific time on a clock, use 'horas'. 'Que horas são?' is the standard. Asking 'Que tempo é?' would sound like you are asking 'What era is it?' or 'What is the weather?'.

Você tem horas? (NOT tempo, unless asking if they have free time).

Translation: Do you have the time? (as in, what time is it?).

Another common pitfall is the confusion between 'tempo' and 'clima'. While 'tempo' refers to the weather right now (the state of the sky today), 'clima' refers to the climate (the long-term patterns of a region). If you say 'O clima está chuvoso hoje,' it sounds slightly clinical or scientific. Stick to 'O tempo está chuvoso' for daily conversation. Lastly, remember that 'tempo' is uncountable when referring to duration in a general sense, but can be pluralized when referring to eras or specific periods ('nos tempos antigos').

Tempo vs. Clima: Tempo = Weather (Today). Clima = Climate (General). 'O clima do Brasil é tropical' vs 'O tempo em São Paulo está frio'.

O tempo muda rápido na montanha.

Translation: The weather changes quickly on the mountain.

While tempo is the most common word, Portuguese offers several alternatives that can make your speech more precise and sophisticated. Depending on whether you mean duration, an era, or the weather, you might choose a different term. Using these synonyms correctly shows a higher level of language mastery.

Período: Used for a specific length of time with a beginning and an end. 'Um período de férias' (A vacation period).

Durante esse período, não houve problemas.

Translation: During this period, there were no problems.

Época: Refers to a season or a significant historical era. 'Naquela época' (In those days/At that time).

Estamos na época das chuvas.

Translation: We are in the rainy season.

For weather, besides 'tempo', you might use 'clima' (as discussed) or 'metereologia' (meteorology) in more formal or scientific contexts. In music, 'andamento' is often a more precise term for the speed of a song than 'tempo', though 'tempo' is still widely understood. If you are talking about a brief moment, 'instante' or 'momento' are much better choices than 'tempo'. 'Espere um momento' is more natural than 'Espere um tempo' if you only want someone to wait for a few seconds.

Momento vs. Tempo: Momento = A point in time. Tempo = The span or concept of time. 'Aproveite o momento' (Enjoy the moment).

Foi um momento inesquecível.

Translation: It was an unforgettable moment.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

"O tempo de vigência do contrato é de dois anos."

Neutral

"O tempo está muito seco hoje."

Informal

"E aí, quanto tempo!"

Child friendly

"O tempo hoje está bom para brincar lá fora!"

Slang

"Dá um tempo, cara!"

Fun Fact

The word 'tempo' in English (used in music) is a direct borrowing from Italian, which shares the same Latin root as the Portuguese 'tempo'.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ˈtẽ.pu/

US /ˈtẽ.poʊ/

The stress is on the first syllable: TEM-po.

Rhymes With

campo contratempo passatempo exemplo (near rhyme) lento (near rhyme) vento (near rhyme) momento (near rhyme) sentimento (near rhyme)

Common Errors

Pronouncing the 'm' too strongly. It should be a nasal vowel.
Pronouncing the final 'o' as a strong 'oh' instead of a soft 'u' sound (common in many dialects).
Forgetting the nasalization of the first 'e'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 1/5

Very easy to recognize in text due to its frequency.

Writing 2/5

Requires care to avoid using it instead of 'vez' or 'hora'.

Speaking 2/5

Nasal pronunciation can be tricky for beginners.

Listening 1/5

Clearly articulated in most dialects.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

sol chuva hora dia ano

Learn Next

clima época período prazo vez

Advanced

cronograma temporalidade atemporal tempestivo dilatação

Grammar to Know

Use 'faz' for time elapsed in the past.

Faz dois anos que estudo português.

Use 'haver' (há) for time elapsed (more formal).

Moro aqui há dez anos.

'Tempo' is always masculine.

O tempo está lindo.

Do not use 'tempo' for 'times' as in frequency.

Fui ao Brasil três vezes (NOT tempos).

Use 'horas' for clock time.

Que horas são? (NOT Que tempo é?)

Examples by Level

O tempo está bom hoje.

The weather is good today.

Uses 'estar' for current weather state.

Eu não tenho tempo.

I don't have time.

'Tempo' as an uncountable noun for duration.

Quanto tempo você tem?

How much time do you have?

'Quanto' agrees with the masculine 'tempo'.

Faz muito tempo.

It's been a long time.

'Faz' is used for elapsed time.

O tempo está frio.

The weather is cold.

'Frio' is an adjective modifying 'tempo'.

Você tem tempo livre?

Do you have free time?

'Livre' modifies 'tempo'.

O tempo passa rápido.

Time passes quickly.

'Passa' is the verb for time passing.

Como está o tempo?

How is the weather?

Standard question for weather.

Eu perdi muito tempo no trânsito.

I wasted a lot of time in traffic.

'Perder tempo' is a common collocation.

O tempo vai mudar amanhã.

The weather is going to change tomorrow.

Future with 'ir' + infinitive.

Nós precisamos de mais tempo.

We need more time.

'De' is required after 'precisar'.

Quanto tempo leva a viagem?

How long does the trip take?

'Levar' is used for duration of travel.

Eu gosto de passar tempo com você.

I like to spend time with you.

'Passar tempo' means to spend time.

O tempo estava chuvoso ontem.

The weather was rainy yesterday.

Imperfect tense for past weather description.

Não temos tempo para perder.

We have no time to lose.

'Para perder' acts as an infinitive purpose clause.

Ele trabalha aqui há pouco tempo.

He has been working here for a short time.

'Há' indicates time elapsed since the start.

A previsão do tempo diz que vai nevar.

The weather forecast says it's going to snow.

'Previsão do tempo' is a fixed term.

No meu tempo, as coisas eram diferentes.

In my day, things were different.

'No meu tempo' refers to a past era.

Você deve organizar melhor seu tempo.

You should organize your time better.

'Organizar o tempo' relates to time management.

O tempo é o melhor remédio.

Time is the best medicine.

Proverbial use of 'tempo'.

Eles deram um tempo no namoro.

They took a break in their relationship.

'Dar um tempo' is idiomatic for a break.

O tempo de espera é de vinte minutos.

The waiting time is twenty minutes.

'Tempo de espera' is a common noun phrase.

Aproveite seu tempo ao máximo.

Enjoy your time to the fullest.

'Ao máximo' is an adverbial phrase.

O tempo voa quando nos divertimos.

Time flies when we are having fun.

Idiomatic expression equivalent to English.

É preciso dar tempo ao tempo para curar as feridas.

It is necessary to give it time to heal the wounds.

'Dar tempo ao tempo' is a common idiom.

O primeiro tempo do jogo foi muito emocionante.

The first half of the game was very exciting.

'Tempo' refers to a match half in sports.

A tempo e horas, ele chegou para a reunião.

Right on time, he arrived for the meeting.

'A tempo e horas' is a fixed idiomatic phrase.

O tempo urge e não podemos hesitar.

Time is of the essence and we cannot hesitate.

'Urge' is a formal verb for 'is urgent'.

Ele é um homem à frente do seu tempo.

He is a man ahead of his time.

'À frente do seu tempo' is a metaphorical use.

O tempo de validade deste produto expirou.

The expiration date of this product has passed.

'Tempo de validade' refers to shelf life.

Perdemos tempo com detalhes irrelevantes.

We wasted time on irrelevant details.

'Com' introduces the object of wasted time.

O tempo fechou de repente e começou a tempestade.

The weather turned bad suddenly and the storm began.

'O tempo fechou' is an idiom for weather worsening.

A relatividade do tempo é um conceito complexo.

The relativity of time is a complex concept.

Scientific/Academic usage.

O autor explora a fugacidade do tempo em sua obra.

The author explores the fleeting nature of time in his work.

'Fugacidade' is a high-level vocabulary word.

Vivemos em tempos de grandes incertezas políticas.

We live in times of great political uncertainty.

Plural 'tempos' used for a historical period.

A decisão foi tomada em tempo recorde.

The decision was made in record time.

'Tempo recorde' is a common superlative phrase.

O tempo é senhor da razão, como diz o ditado.

Time is the master of reason, as the saying goes.

Philosophical proverb.

A empresa pediu um tempo para analisar a proposta.

The company asked for some time to analyze the proposal.

'Um tempo' here implies a grace period.

O tempo de antena dos candidatos foi reduzido.

The candidates' airtime was reduced.

'Tempo de antena' is a specific media term.

Ela dedica todo o seu tempo livre ao voluntariado.

She dedicates all her free time to volunteering.

'Todo o seu tempo' emphasizes totality.

A atemporalidade da arte transcende o tempo cronológico.

The timelessness of art transcends chronological time.

Abstract philosophical contrast.

O tempo, esse devorador de todas as coisas, não perdoa.

Time, that devourer of all things, does not forgive.

Personification of time in a literary style.

É imperativo que respeitemos o tempo de maturação do vinho.

It is imperative that we respect the maturation time of the wine.

Technical use in viticulture.

A dilação do tempo é um efeito previsto pela física moderna.

Time dilation is an effect predicted by modern physics.

Highly technical scientific term.

O tempo verbal empregado sugere uma ação inacabada.

The verb tense used suggests an unfinished action.

Linguistic/Grammatical terminology.

Em tempos idos, esta floresta cobria toda a região.

In times past, this forest covered the entire region.

'Tempos idos' is an archaic/literary expression.

O tempo de resposta do servidor é crucial para a experiência do usuário.

The server response time is crucial for the user experience.

Technical IT terminology.

Não podemos ignorar o tempo de vida útil dos equipamentos.

We cannot ignore the useful life span of the equipment.

Engineering/Business terminology.

Common Collocations

previsão do tempo

perder tempo

ganhar tempo

quanto tempo

há muito tempo

tempo livre

tempo integral

tempo parcial

passar tempo

dar um tempo

Common Phrases

A tempo

— On time or in time.

Cheguei a tempo para o trem.

De tempos em tempos

— From time to time.

Eu viajo para lá de tempos em tempos.

Ao mesmo tempo

— At the same time.

Não fale ao mesmo tempo que eu.

Há quanto tempo!

— Long time no see!

Oi, Maria! Há quanto tempo!

Com o tempo

— With time / over time.

Com o tempo, você vai aprender.

Ter tempo

— To have time / to be free.

Você tem tempo para uma conversa?

Fazer bom tempo

— To be good weather.

Hoje está fazendo bom tempo.

Tempo de sobra

— Time to spare.

Chegamos cedo e temos tempo de sobra.

A tempo e horas

— Promptly / on time.

Ele sempre entrega os relatórios a tempo e horas.

O tempo todo

— All the time.

Ela estuda o tempo todo.

Often Confused With

Tempo vs vez

Used for frequency/instances. 'Três vezes' vs 'Muito tempo'.

Tempo vs hora

Used for clock time. 'Que horas são?' vs 'Quanto tempo leva?'.

Tempo vs clima

Used for general climate. 'O clima é tropical' vs 'O tempo está chuvoso'.

Idioms & Expressions

"Dar tempo ao tempo"

— To wait patiently for things to resolve.

Não se apresse, dê tempo ao tempo.

neutral

"Tempo é dinheiro"

— Time is money.

Trabalhe rápido, pois tempo é dinheiro.

neutral

"Matar o tempo"

— To kill time.

Estou lendo para matar o tempo.

informal

"No meu tempo"

— Back in my day.

No meu tempo, as crianças brincavam na rua.

informal

"Tempo de vacas magras"

— Hard times / lean times.

Estamos em tempo de vacas magras, precisamos economizar.

informal

"O tempo voa"

— Time flies.

O tempo voa quando estamos felizes.

neutral

"Perder o fio do tempo"

— To lose track of time.

Fiquei tão distraído que perdi o fio do tempo.

neutral

"A todo o tempo"

— Constantly.

Ele reclama a todo o tempo.

neutral

"Correr contra o tempo"

— To race against time.

Estamos correndo contra o tempo para terminar.

neutral

"O tempo dirá"

— Time will tell.

Se foi uma boa escolha, o tempo dirá.

neutral

Easily Confused

Tempo vs vez

Both translate to 'time' in English.

'Vez' is for counting occurrences. 'Tempo' is for measuring duration or weather.

Eu li o livro duas vezes (occurrences).

Tempo vs hora

Both relate to time.

'Hora' is a specific point on the clock or a 60-minute unit. 'Tempo' is the general concept.

São duas horas (clock time).

Tempo vs clima

Both relate to the atmosphere.

'Clima' is the long-term average. 'Tempo' is the state right now.

O clima de Londres é temperado, mas o tempo hoje está ensolarado.

Tempo vs época

Both can mean a period.

'Época' is usually a longer, more significant period or a season.

Na época do Natal, faz frio.

Tempo vs momento

Both relate to time.

'Momento' is a very short, specific point. 'Tempo' is broader.

Um momento, por favor.

Sentence Patterns

O tempo está [adjective].

O tempo está quente.

Eu não tenho tempo para [infinitive].

Eu não tenho tempo para comer.

Faz [duration] que [action].

Faz uma hora que estou aqui.

No tempo de [person/era], [action].

No tempo de Cabral, não havia aviões.

Dar um tempo em [noun].

Vou dar um tempo no trabalho.

Com o passar do tempo, [consequence].

Com o passar do tempo, a verdade apareceu.

A fugacidade do tempo [verb].

A fugacidade do tempo assusta os poetas.

Em tempos de [noun], [action].

Em tempos de crise, devemos poupar.

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

How to Use It

frequency

Extremely high (Top 100 nouns).

Common Mistakes

Eu fui lá três tempos. → Eu fui lá três vezes.
You must use 'vezes' for frequency/counting instances.
Que tempo é? → Que horas são?
Use 'horas' to ask for the specific time on a clock.
O clima está chuvoso hoje. → O tempo está chuvoso hoje.
'Clima' refers to long-term patterns; 'tempo' is for today's weather.
Um longo tempo. → Muito tempo / Um longo período.
'Um longo tempo' is a literal translation from English and sounds unnatural.
Estou aqui por muito tempo. → Estou aqui há muito tempo.
Use 'há' or 'faz' to indicate duration starting in the past.

Tips

The Weather Watch

Imagine a watch that shows clouds instead of numbers. This links 'time' and 'weather' to 'tempo'.

Masculine Always

Never say 'a tempo'. It is always 'o tempo'. Adjectives must also be masculine (tempo bom).

The Perfect Icebreaker

If you don't know what to say, ask 'Como está o tempo?'. It works in every Portuguese-speaking country.

Avoid 'Vez' Confusion

If you can count it (1, 2, 3), use 'vez'. If you measure it (long, short), use 'tempo'.

Quanto Tempo!

Use this phrase whenever you see someone you haven't seen in a while. It's very natural.

Weather Reports

When writing, use 'previsão do tempo' for weather forecast. It's a fixed phrase.

Musical Tempo

If you play an instrument, use 'tempo' to talk about the speed of the song.

Deadline Talk

Use 'prazo' for a specific deadline, but 'tempo' for the amount of work time needed.

Eras

Use 'nos tempos de...' to talk about historical figures or periods.

Soccer Halves

Remember 'primeiro tempo' and 'segundo tempo' when watching a match.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a TEMPorary weather front. 'Tempo' covers both the TEMPorary weather and the TEMPorary nature of time.

Visual Association

Imagine a clock face that is also a sun/rain cloud icon. This helps link 'time' and 'weather' to the single word 'tempo'.

Word Web

clima hora vez época relógio calendário chuva sol

Challenge

Try to use 'tempo' in three different sentences today: one about the weather, one about being busy, and one asking how long something takes.

Word Origin

From the Latin 'tempus', which also meant both time and weather/season.

Original meaning: A portion of time, a season, or an opportunity.

Romance (Indo-European).

Cultural Context

No specific sensitivities, but be aware that 'dar um tempo' in a relationship context is a sensitive topic.

English speakers must unlearn the habit of using 'time' for everything and learn to split it between 'tempo', 'vez', and 'hora'.

'Tempo Perdido' by Legião Urbana (Song) 'O Tempo e o Vento' by Érico Veríssimo (Book) 'Mudam-se os tempos, mudam-se as vontades' by Luís de Camões (Poem)

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Weather

Como está o tempo?
Previsão do tempo
Bom tempo
Mau tempo

Social

Quanto tempo!
Dar um tempo
Passar tempo
Tempo livre

Work

Gestão de tempo
Tempo de entrega
Não tenho tempo
Perder tempo

Sports

Primeiro tempo
Segundo tempo
Fim de tempo
Tempo extra

Grammar

Tempo verbal
Presente do indicativo
Pretérito perfeito
Tempo composto

Conversation Starters

"Como está o tempo na sua cidade hoje?"

"Você acha que o tempo passa rápido demais?"

"O que você gosta de fazer no seu tempo livre?"

"Quanto tempo você leva para chegar na escola?"

"Você prefere tempo frio ou tempo quente?"

Journal Prompts

Descreva como está o tempo hoje.

O que você faria se tivesse mais tempo livre?

Escreva sobre um momento em que você perdeu muito tempo.

Como você organiza o seu tempo durante a semana?

O que significa a frase 'tempo é dinheiro' para você?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Yes, 'tempos' is used for historical eras (tempos antigos) or multiple periods (primeiro e segundo tempos in sports).

Use 'Quanto tempo?'. For example: 'Quanto tempo você vai ficar aqui?'

Yes, it is universal in Brazil, Portugal, Angola, etc.

Yes, it refers to the beat or pace, though 'andamento' is also used technicaly.

They are largely interchangeable, but 'há' is slightly more formal.

It is more common to say 'Está sol' or 'O tempo está ensolarado'.

In many sports, it is called 'tempo' or 'pedido de tempo'.

It means to take a temporary break from each other to think.

Yes, 'tempo verbal' is the term for verb tenses like past, present, and future.

No, 'tempo' is strictly a noun. The related verb is 'temporizar'.