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tempo (meteorológico)

B2 noun 10 min read

tempo (meteorológico)

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips tempo (meteorológico) in 30 Seconds

Explanation tempo (meteorológico) in your Level:

At the A1 level, 'tempo' is one of the first words you learn to describe the world around you. You use it in very simple structures, primarily to talk about whether the day is 'bom' (good) or 'mau' (bad). At this stage, you don't need to worry about complex meteorological terms. You focus on basic phrases like 'Como está o tempo?' and 'O tempo está sol'. You begin to notice that 'tempo' is the same word for 'time', but you learn to distinguish them through context—if someone points to the sky and says 'tempo', they mean weather. You practice matching 'tempo' with basic adjectives like 'quente' (hot) and 'frio' (cold). The goal is to be able to have a 10-second conversation about the weather with a neighbor or a shopkeeper. You also learn that 'tempo' is masculine, so you say 'o tempo'. Most A1 learners will use 'tempo' alongside the verb 'estar' to describe current conditions. It is a foundational noun for building your basic descriptive vocabulary in Portuguese.

At the A2 level, you expand your use of 'tempo' to include simple predictions and more specific descriptions. You move beyond just 'good' or 'bad' to words like 'nublado' (cloudy) or 'chuvoso' (rainy). You start using 'tempo' with the future tense, such as 'O tempo vai estar bom amanhã' (The weather will be good tomorrow). You also begin to understand the common phrase 'previsão do tempo' (weather forecast) and can understand the gist of a weather report on the radio. At this level, you should be careful not to confuse 'tempo' with 'clima', a distinction that becomes more important as your vocabulary grows. You might also start using 'tempo' in the past tense to describe a trip you took: 'O tempo estava ótimo quando fomos à praia'. The A2 learner can use 'tempo' to make plans, such as 'Se o tempo estiver bom, vamos ao parque'. You are building the ability to link the weather to your daily activities and intentions.

At the B1 level, you use 'tempo' with greater confidence and nuance. You can describe weather patterns with more sophisticated adjectives like 'instável' (unstable), 'agradável' (pleasant), or 'abafado' (stuffy/humid). You begin to use 'tempo' in more complex grammatical structures, such as conditional sentences: 'Se o tempo não tivesse mudado, teríamos terminado a obra'. You also start to recognize idiomatic expressions related to weather, even if you don't use them all yet. You can discuss how 'o tempo' affects the economy or your health (e.g., 'Este tempo seco me faz mal'). At this stage, you can follow a full weather report on television and understand details about wind speed or humidity levels. You are also more aware of the regional differences in how 'tempo' is discussed in Brazil versus Portugal. Your ability to use 'tempo' as a subject in various tenses is now well-established, allowing for more fluid and natural storytelling.

At the B2 level, which is the target for this entry, you have a deep understanding of 'tempo' in both its literal and figurative senses. You can discuss the 'tempo meteorológico' with precision, using terms like 'frente fria' (cold front) or 'períodos de claridade' (sunny spells). You understand the subtle difference between 'tempo' and 'estado do tempo' and can switch between them depending on the formality of the situation. You can argue about the impact of 'mudanças no tempo' (changes in weather) on global issues like climate change, distinguishing clearly between short-term weather events and long-term climatic shifts. Your vocabulary includes a wide range of synonyms and related terms like 'intempérie' or 'bonança'. You can use 'tempo' in professional contexts, such as explaining how weather conditions might impact a business project or a scientific experiment. You are also comfortable with the word's dual meaning and can navigate conversations where 'time' and 'weather' are discussed in the same breath without confusion.

At the C1 level, your use of 'tempo' is near-native. You can use the word to create atmosphere in writing, using it metaphorically to reflect a mood or a historical period. You understand the most obscure weather-related idioms and can use them correctly in conversation. You can appreciate the nuances of 'tempo' in classical Portuguese literature, where the weather is often a character in itself. You are capable of understanding technical meteorological discussions or academic papers that use 'tempo' in a scientific context. You can also detect the subtle social cues involved in weather talk—knowing when 'o tempo' is being used as a genuine inquiry and when it is a polite social lubricant. Your command of the grammar surrounding 'tempo' is flawless, including the use of the subjunctive in complex hypothetical scenarios. You can describe the 'tempo' using a vast array of sensory adjectives, making your descriptions vivid and engaging.

At the C2 level, you have mastered 'tempo' to the point where you can play with the word's multiple meanings for rhetorical effect. You can engage in deep philosophical discussions about the relationship between 'tempo' (time) and 'tempo' (weather) in the human consciousness. Your vocabulary includes archaic or highly regional terms for weather that even some native speakers might not know. You can seamlessly transition between technical meteorological jargon and poetic descriptions. You can provide expert-level translations that capture the exact 'flavor' of weather descriptions from other languages into Portuguese. You are sensitive to the most minute regional variations in how 'tempo' is used across the entire Lusophone world, from the Azores to Timor-Leste. At this level, 'tempo' is no longer just a word; it is a versatile tool that you use with absolute precision and creative flair to communicate complex ideas and emotions.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

tempo (meteorológico) in 30 Seconds

Refers to current atmospheric conditions (weather).
Used with verbs 'estar' (temporary state) and 'fazer' (impersonal).
Distinct from 'clima' (long-term climate patterns).
Identical in form to the word for 'time', requiring context.

The Portuguese word tempo is one of the most versatile and essential terms in the Lusophone world, specifically when referring to the meteorological state of the atmosphere. Unlike English, which distinguishes between 'time' and 'weather,' Portuguese uses the same root word for both concepts, though the context almost always clarifies the intended meaning. When we speak of tempo meteorológico, we are describing the short-term conditions of the sky, temperature, precipitation, and wind. It is the immediate experience of the environment. In daily life, this word is the cornerstone of small talk, planning, and safety. Whether you are in the bustling streets of São Paulo, the windy hills of Lisbon, or the tropical heat of Luanda, 'tempo' is the first thing people discuss. It dictates what we wear, how we travel, and even our moods. The term encompasses a wide range of phenomena, from the scorching 'calor' of a summer afternoon to the 'chuva miúda' of a misty morning. To use 'tempo' correctly in a meteorological sense, one must understand its relationship with the verbs fazer (to do/make) and estar (to be). Unlike English where we say 'It is sunny,' in Portuguese, we often say 'The weather makes sun' (O tempo faz sol) or 'The weather is good' (O tempo está bom). This conceptualization of the weather as something that 'acts' or 'performs' is a key shift for English speakers.

Daily Interaction: The word is used most frequently in the morning when checking forecasts or during casual greetings to bridge social gaps.

Scientific Context: In meteorology, 'tempo' refers to the state of the troposphere at a specific moment, distinct from 'clima' which refers to long-term patterns.

Espero que o tempo melhore para o nosso piquenique no próximo sábado.

O tempo na serra costuma mudar muito rapidamente durante a tarde.

Regional Variation: In Portugal, people might use 'estado do tempo' more formally, whereas in Brazil, 'o tempo' is the universal standard for all registers.

Como está o tempo por aí? Aqui está começando a trovejar.

A previsão do tempo indica que teremos uma frente fria chegando amanhã.

Ninguém gosta de viajar quando o tempo está tão fechado e cinzento.

Using 'tempo' correctly requires a grasp of specific syntactic structures that differ from English. The most common way to ask about the weather is 'Como está o tempo?' (How is the weather?). Notice that we use the verb 'estar' because weather is a temporary state. If you were to use 'ser', you would be asking about the general climate or a permanent characteristic, which is less common. When describing specific conditions, Portuguese speakers often drop the word 'tempo' and use the impersonal verb fazer. For example, 'Faz sol' (It is sunny/It makes sun) or 'Faz frio' (It is cold). However, when the word 'tempo' is the subject, the adjectives must agree in gender and number. 'O tempo está agradável' (The weather is pleasant). Another critical structure is 'dar tempo', which in a meteorological context might refer to the forecast 'giving' or predicting a certain condition. More commonly, you will see 'previsão do tempo' (weather forecast). In complex sentences, 'tempo' often acts as a qualifier for activities: 'Com este tempo, não podemos sair' (With this weather, we cannot go out).

Impersonal Verbs: When talking about weather generally, verbs like 'chover' (to rain) or 'nevar' (to snow) don't need 'o tempo' as a subject, but 'o tempo' is used to describe the overall quality of the day.

Prepositional Phrases: Phrases like 'por causa do tempo' (because of the weather) are essential for explaining delays or changes in plans.

O voo foi cancelado devido ao mau tempo na região do aeroporto.

Aproveite o tempo seco para pintar a fachada da casa.

Adjective Placement: Putting the adjective before 'tempo' (e.g., 'bom tempo') can sometimes sound more poetic or formal than after ('tempo bom').

Se o tempo permitir, faremos uma caminhada pela trilha amanhã cedo.

Não confie no tempo instável desta época do ano; leve sempre um guarda-chuva.

O tempo abriu e o sol finalmente apareceu entre as nuvens carregadas.

You will hear 'tempo' in every corner of Lusophone society. In the media, every news broadcast concludes with a dedicated segment called 'A Previsão do Tempo,' where meteorologists use technical terms like 'umidade relativa' (relative humidity), 'pressão atmosférica' (atmospheric pressure), and 'massa de ar' (air mass) to describe what 'o tempo' will be like. In urban environments, you’ll hear it in elevators—the universal site of weather-based small talk. 'Parece que o tempo vai fechar, não é?' (It looks like the weather is going to close/get cloudy, doesn't it?). In rural areas, 'tempo' is discussed with a level of precision linked to agriculture; farmers speak of 'tempo de chuva' or 'tempo de seca' not just as daily states, but as vital cycles for their crops. At the beach, surfers and vacationers obsess over 'tempo firme' (stable weather). Even in literature and music, 'tempo' (weather) is used to mirror the internal state of characters. Fado singers in Lisbon might lament the 'tempo cinzento' (gray weather) of the city to reflect 'saudade'. In Brazil, Samba lyrics often celebrate the 'tempo quente' (hot weather/vibe) of Carnival. It is also heard in professional contexts: pilots, sailors, and construction managers constantly monitor 'o tempo' to ensure safety and efficiency. If you are walking down the street and someone looks at the sky and sighs, they are likely thinking about 'o tempo'. It is a word that connects the physical world to our daily emotional and logistical reality. Understanding 'tempo' is not just about vocabulary; it is about participating in the collective observation of the world around us. From the 'tempo carrancudo' (gloomy weather) of a stormy day to the 'tempo de brigadeiro' (perfectly clear blue sky - a Brazilian expression), the word is a canvas for the Portuguese-speaking experience of nature.

Television and Radio: The phrase 'Vamos ver agora a previsão do tempo' is a nightly staple in millions of homes.

Public Transport: Commuters frequently discuss 'o tempo' when rain causes traffic delays or subway congestion.

O apresentador disse que o tempo vai continuar seco por mais uma semana.

Com este tempo de chuva, o trânsito na cidade fica completamente parado.

O capitão decidiu não zarpar porque o tempo no mar estava muito perigoso.

The most frequent mistake English speakers make is trying to use 'tempo' for weather in ways that mimic English 'it is'. For instance, saying 'É ensolarado' (It is sunny) is grammatically correct but sounds very unnatural; Portuguese prefers 'O tempo está ensolarado' or simply 'Está sol'. Another major pitfall is the confusion between tempo and clima. While 'tempo' is the specific state of the atmosphere right now (weather), 'clima' is the average of those states over many years (climate). Saying 'O clima está ruim hoje' (The climate is bad today) when you mean it’s raining is a common error; you should say 'O tempo está ruim'. Additionally, learners often struggle with the dual meaning of 'tempo'. If someone asks 'Você tem tempo?', they are asking if you have 'time', not if you possess the weather. Conversely, 'Como está o tempo?' is almost exclusively about weather. Another mistake involves gender agreement. Since 'tempo' is masculine, many learners mistakenly use feminine adjectives if they are thinking of the Portuguese word for 'rain' (chuva) or 'cloud' (nuvem), which are feminine. You must say 'tempo carregado' (heavy/cloudy weather), not 'carregada'. Furthermore, using the verb 'ter' (to have) for weather is a classic 'Anglicism'. Instead of 'Temos bom tempo', it is more natural to say 'Está bom tempo' or 'Faz bom tempo'. Finally, avoid pluralizing 'tempo' when talking about weather. 'Os tempos estão bons' means 'The times/eras are good', which is a philosophical or historical statement, not a comment on the sunny week you're having.

Tempo vs. Clima: Tempo = Today's rain/sun. Clima = Tropical, Arid, Temperate (long term).

Errado: O clima está chuvoso. Correto: O tempo está chuvoso.

Não diga 'o tempo está quente' se você quiser dizer que a pessoa está com calor; diga 'eu estou com calor'.

Verb Confusion: Avoid using 'fazer' with adjectives like 'nublado'. Say 'O tempo está nublado' instead of 'Faz nublado'.

O tempo é masculino, por isso dizemos 'tempo frio' e não 'tempo fria'.

Lembre-se: 'Faz tempo' (without 'o') usually means 'It has been a while' (chronological time).

While tempo is the most common word for weather, there are several alternatives and related terms that provide more nuance. Estado do tempo is a more formal, almost clinical way of saying 'weather conditions'. You will see this in official meteorological reports or high-level journalism. Meteorologia refers to the science of weather, but colloquially, someone might say 'Segundo a meteorologia...' meaning 'According to the weather report'. Clima, as discussed, refers to long-term patterns, but is often misused by natives and learners alike. A more poetic or dramatic word is intempérie, which refers to bad, harsh, or stormy weather. If you want to talk about the 'vibe' of the day rather than just the physical temperature, you might use ambiente. For specific conditions, Portuguese is rich with nouns that replace the need for 'tempo': estio (dry season/summer heat), borrasca (squall/storm), or nevoeiro (fog).

Tempo vs. Estado do Tempo: 'Tempo' is conversational; 'Estado do tempo' is what the professional on TV says.

Tempo vs. Intempérie: Use 'tempo' for any day; use 'intempérie' when the weather is actively trying to destroy your umbrella.

A meteorologia prevê queda nas temperaturas para o próximo final de semana.

Os agricultores estão preocupados com as intempéries que podem destruir a colheita de uvas.

Tempo vs. Clima: If you can see it out the window right now, it's 'tempo'. If you need a textbook to describe it, it's 'clima'.

O clima desta região é mediterrânico, mas o tempo hoje está estranhamente frio.

O estado do tempo nas ilhas é muito variável devido às correntes oceânicas.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The fact that 'tempo' means both 'time' and 'weather' is common to most Romance languages (French 'temps', Spanish 'tiempo', Italian 'tempo'), suggesting that ancient peoples viewed weather as the 'time' or 'season' one was currently experiencing.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ˈtẽ.pu/

US /ˈteɪm.poʊ/

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

Rhymes With

campo lampo tampo contratempo passatempo entretempo sarampo garampo

Common Errors

Pronouncing the final 'o' as a strong 'oh' like in 'go'. In Portuguese, it is usually a soft 'u'.
Failing to nasalize the first syllable. The 'm' is not fully pronounced; it just changes the vowel sound.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

The word is easy to recognize but context is needed to distinguish from 'time'.

Writing 3/5

Requires knowledge of gender agreement and specific verb pairings (estar/fazer).

Speaking 2/5

Common in daily speech; pronunciation of nasal vowels is the main challenge.

Listening 3/5

Must distinguish between 'tempo' (weather) and 'tempo' (time) in fast speech.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

sol chuva estar fazer bom mau

Learn Next

clima umidade previsão temperatura estação

Advanced

intempérie estio borrasca nevoeiro fustigar

Grammar to Know

Weather verbs are impersonal

Chove muito no verão. (No subject needed).

Estar vs. Ser for weather

O tempo está nublado (Current state) vs. O clima é tropical (Permanent).

Fazer for weather phenomena

Faz calor, faz frio, faz sol.

Masculine agreement for 'tempo'

O tempo está carregado (Not carregada).

Contractions with 'tempo'

Por causa do tempo (de + o).

Examples by Level

O tempo está bom hoje.

The weather is good today.

Uses 'estar' for a temporary state.

Como está o tempo em Lisboa?

How is the weather in Lisbon?

Common question structure for weather.

O tempo está frio.

The weather is cold.

'Frio' is an adjective modifying 'tempo'.

Eu gosto de tempo quente.

I like hot weather.

'Tempo' is the direct object here.

O tempo está muito chuvoso.

The weather is very rainy.

'Muito' is an adverb modifying the adjective 'chuvoso'.

Faz bom tempo hoje.

It's good weather today.

Uses the impersonal verb 'fazer'.

O tempo está feio.

The weather is ugly/bad.

'Feio' is a common informal way to say bad weather.

Não gosto do tempo frio.

I don't like the cold weather.

Contraction 'do' (de + o).

A previsão do tempo diz que vai chover.

The weather forecast says it will rain.

'Previsão do tempo' is a fixed compound noun phrase.

O tempo vai mudar à tarde.

The weather is going to change in the afternoon.

Future with 'ir' + infinitive.

O tempo estava nublado ontem.

The weather was cloudy yesterday.

Imperfect tense 'estava' for past descriptions.

Espero que o tempo melhore.

I hope the weather improves.

Present subjunctive 'melhore' after 'espero que'.

Com este tempo, é melhor ficar em casa.

With this weather, it's better to stay home.

'Com este tempo' sets the condition.

O tempo no Rio é sempre quente.

The weather in Rio is always hot.

Generalization about a location.

Você viu a previsão do tempo para amanhã?

Did you see the weather forecast for tomorrow?

Question in the pretérito perfeito.

O tempo abriu depois da tempestade.

The weather cleared up after the storm.

'Abrir' is the standard verb for weather clearing.

O tempo está tão abafado que é difícil respirar.

The weather is so stuffy/humid that it's hard to breathe.

'Abafado' specifically refers to hot, humid, still air.

O tempo instável prejudicou a colheita.

The unstable weather harmed the harvest.

'Instável' is a more advanced adjective for weather.

Devido ao mau tempo, o jogo foi cancelado.

Due to bad weather, the game was canceled.

'Devido ao' is a formal way to express cause.

O tempo virou de repente e começou a ventar.

The weather turned suddenly and it started to get windy.

'Virar' implies a sudden, often negative change.

Sempre verifico o tempo antes de sair para caminhar.

I always check the weather before going out for a walk.

Reflexive verb 'verificar'.

O tempo seco está causando problemas respiratórios.

The dry weather is causing respiratory problems.

Describes a health impact.

Apesar do tempo ruim, a festa foi um sucesso.

Despite the bad weather, the party was a success.

'Apesar do' introduces a concession.

O tempo está se mantendo firme durante toda a semana.

The weather is staying stable throughout the week.

'Manter-se firme' means the weather isn't changing.

O tempo meteorológico difere do clima por ser momentâneo.

Meteorological weather differs from climate because it is momentary.

Uses 'meteorológico' to be specific.

A instabilidade do tempo é característica desta região serrana.

The instability of the weather is characteristic of this mountainous region.

Noun 'instabilidade' derived from the adjective.

O tempo fechou completamente e a visibilidade é zero.

The weather closed in completely and visibility is zero.

'Fechar' describes the sky becoming fully covered.

As mudanças bruscas no tempo afetam o comportamento animal.

Sudden changes in weather affect animal behavior.

'Bruscas' means sudden and sharp.

Se o tempo permitir, a decolagem ocorrerá às dez horas.

If the weather permits, takeoff will occur at ten o'clock.

Conditional structure with future subjunctive.

O tempo carrancudo de hoje combina com o meu humor.

Today's gloomy weather matches my mood.

'Carrancudo' is a personification meaning 'frowning/gloomy'.

Houve uma melhora significativa no tempo desde o amanhecer.

There has been a significant improvement in the weather since dawn.

'Significativa' adds precision to the description.

O tempo seco e a baixa umidade são preocupantes para a saúde.

The dry weather and low humidity are worrying for health.

Coordinated subjects with 'e'.

A imprevisibilidade do tempo torna o planejamento agrícola um desafio.

The unpredictability of the weather makes agricultural planning a challenge.

High-level noun 'imprevisibilidade'.

Sob um tempo inclemente, os marinheiros lutavam contra as ondas.

Under inclement weather, the sailors fought against the waves.

'Inclemente' is a formal and literary adjective.

O tempo, em sua vertente meteorológica, é um sistema caótico.

Weather, in its meteorological aspect, is a chaotic system.

Academic and philosophical tone.

A crueza do tempo nas estepes é algo difícil de imaginar.

The rawness of the weather on the steppes is something difficult to imagine.

'Crueza' (rawness) used metaphorically for harshness.

O tempo ameno da primavera convida à contemplação e ao lazer.

The mild spring weather invites contemplation and leisure.

'Ameno' is a sophisticated word for mild/pleasant.

As intempéries e o tempo severo causaram danos à infraestrutura.

Inclement weather and severe weather caused damage to the infrastructure.

'Intempéries' is a formal synonym for bad weather.

O tempo parecia ecoar a melancolia que pairava sobre a cidade.

The weather seemed to echo the melancholy that hung over the city.

Literary personification of weather.

A despeito do tempo adverso, a expedição prosseguiu rumo ao cume.

In spite of the adverse weather, the expedition continued toward the summit.

'A despeito de' is a high-level prepositional phrase.

A volatilidade do tempo é o calcanhar de Aquiles das energias renováveis.

Weather volatility is the Achilles' heel of renewable energies.

Metaphorical use in a technical/economic context.

O tempo apresentava-se plúmbeo, prenunciando uma tempestade de proporções épicas.

The weather appeared leaden, foretelling a storm of epic proportions.

'Plúmbeo' (leaden) is a highly literary adjective.

Há uma correlação intrínseca entre o tempo e a psique humana.

There is an intrinsic correlation between weather and the human psyche.

Abstract philosophical statement.

O tempo fustigava a costa com uma fúria raramente vista pelos locais.

The weather lashed the coast with a fury rarely seen by the locals.

'Fustigar' (to lash/whip) is a powerful, high-register verb.

A variabilidade interanual do tempo mascara as tendências climáticas.

The interannual variability of weather masks climatic trends.

Scientific/Academic register.

O tempo, esse eterno mutante, dita o ritmo da vida bucólica.

Weather, that eternal mutant, dictates the rhythm of bucolic life.

Apposition and poetic phrasing.

A mitigação dos efeitos do tempo extremo exige cooperação global.

The mitigation of extreme weather effects requires global cooperation.

Formal political/environmental terminology.

O tempo era uma tapeçaria de cinzas e luz, típica do outono europeu.

The weather was a tapestry of grays and light, typical of European autumn.

Highly metaphorical and descriptive.

Synonyms

estado do tempo meteorologia clima intempérie ambiente céu condições atmosféricas bonança

Antonyms

clima estabilidade permanência vácuo

Common Collocations

previsão do tempo

mau tempo

bom tempo

tempo instável

tempo seco

tempo fechado

tempo abafado

tempo firme

virar o tempo

tempo de chuva

Common Phrases

Como está o tempo?

— The standard way to ask about the weather.

Como está o tempo aí em Londres?

O tempo vai abrir.

— The sky will clear up and the sun will come out.

Não se preocupe, o tempo vai abrir logo.

O tempo vai fechar.

— The sky will become cloudy or a storm is coming.

Melhor voltarmos, o tempo está fechando.

Se o tempo permitir.

— If the weather conditions are favorable.

Faremos o churrasco se o tempo permitir.

Tempo de cão.

— Very bad, miserable weather.

Que tempo de cão! Não para de chover.

O tempo está para chuva.

— It looks like it's going to rain.

Leve o guarda-chuva, o tempo está para chuva.

Aproveitar o tempo.

— To make use of the good weather.

Vamos aproveitar o tempo bom para ir à praia.

Tempo carrancudo.

— Gloomy, dark, and threatening weather.

O dia amanheceu com um tempo carrancudo.

Fazer um tempo.

— To experience a certain kind of weather.

Costuma fazer um tempo horrível aqui em janeiro.

Dar tempo.

— In some contexts, to show signs of weather changing.

O céu está dando tempo de tempestade.

Often Confused With

tempo (meteorológico) vs clima

Clima is the long-term pattern (Climate); Tempo is today's state (Weather).

tempo (meteorológico) vs hora

Hora is a specific point on the clock; Tempo is the general concept of time or weather.

tempo (meteorológico) vs vez

Vez means 'occurrence' or 'turn' (e.g., 'uma vez'), whereas Tempo is duration or weather.

Idioms & Expressions

"Tempo de brigadeiro"

— Perfectly clear blue sky with no clouds. Originates from Brazilian aviation.

Hoje o dia está um tempo de brigadeiro, perfeito para voar.

informal (Brazil)

"O tempo é senhor da razão"

— Time (not weather) proves who is right. Shows the dual meaning.

Não discuta agora, o tempo é senhor da razão.

formal

"Chuva e sol, casamento de espanhol"

— Used when it rains while the sun is shining.

Olha lá, chuva e sol, casamento de espanhol!

folkloric

"Sol e chuva, casamento de viúva"

— Another variation of the sun-and-rain rhyme.

Está sol e chuva, casamento de viúva.

folkloric

"Em tempo de guerra, não se limpa armas"

— In difficult times (metaphorical weather), you don't waste time on trifles.

Precisamos agir agora; em tempo de guerra não se limpa armas.

proverbial

"O tempo voa"

— Time passes very quickly (chronological).

O tempo voa quando estamos nos divertindo.

common

"Dar tempo ao tempo"

— To wait patiently for things to resolve (chronological).

Você precisa dar tempo ao tempo para se curar.

common

"A tempo e horas"

— To be exactly on time (Portugal).

Ele sempre chega a tempo e horas.

neutral (Portugal)

"Há muito tempo"

— A long time ago (chronological).

Há muito tempo que não viajo para o exterior.

neutral

"Perder tempo"

— To waste time (chronological).

Não perca tempo com bobagens.

neutral

Easily Confused

tempo (meteorológico) vs clima

Both relate to atmospheric conditions.

Tempo is short-term (minutes/days); Clima is long-term (30+ years average).

O tempo hoje está chuvoso, mas o clima da cidade é seco.

tempo (meteorológico) vs época

Both can refer to periods.

Época is a specific era or season; Tempo is general time or weather.

Nesta época do ano, o tempo costuma ser instável.

tempo (meteorológico) vs estação

Both relate to weather patterns.

Estação is one of the four seasons; Tempo is the daily weather.

No inverno, o tempo é mais frio.

tempo (meteorológico) vs horário

Both relate to time.

Horário is a schedule or specific time; Tempo is duration or weather.

O horário do voo mudou por causa do tempo.

tempo (meteorológico) vs período

Both relate to time spans.

Período is a measured span; Tempo is the general concept or weather.

Durante um longo período, o tempo permaneceu seco.

Sentence Patterns

O tempo está [adjective].

O tempo está bom.

A previsão do tempo diz que [verb].

A previsão do tempo diz que vai nevar.

Apesar do [adjective] tempo, [clause].

Apesar do mau tempo, fomos ao parque.

Se o tempo estiver [adjective], [future clause].

Se o tempo estiver ensolarado, iremos à praia.

O tempo virou e [past clause].

O tempo virou e começou a chover forte.

Devido ao [adjective] tempo, [passive clause].

Devido ao tempo instável, o evento foi adiado.

Sob um tempo [literary adjective], [clause].

Sob um tempo inclemente, eles partiram.

A [noun] do tempo [verb] a [noun].

A volatilidade do tempo impacta a economia.

Word Family

Nouns

temporal (storm)

temporada (season)

tempestade (tempest)

passatempo (hobby)

contratempo (mishap)

Verbs

temporizar (to temporize)

atemporizar (to make timeless)

Adjectives

temporal (temporary/stormy)

temporário (temporary)

atemporal (timeless)

tempestuoso (stormy)

cronômetro

clima

época

era

estação

How to Use It

frequency

Extremely frequent in daily life and media.

Common Mistakes

O clima está chuvoso hoje. → O tempo está chuvoso hoje.
'Clima' refers to long-term patterns, not the weather on a specific day.
Faz nublado. → O tempo está nublado.
The verb 'fazer' is used with nouns (sol, frio, calor), but adjectives (nublado, chuvoso) usually take 'estar'.
Temos bom tempo. → Está bom tempo. / Faz bom tempo.
Portuguese rarely uses 'ter' (to have) for weather; it prefers impersonal 'estar' or 'fazer'.
Eu gosto da tempo quente. → Eu gosto do tempo quente.
'Tempo' is masculine, so it requires the masculine article 'o' and the contraction 'do'.
Os tempos estão bons. (meaning the weather this week) → O tempo está bom esta semana.
Pluralizing 'tempo' changes the meaning to 'the times' or 'eras'.

Tips

Agreement

Always ensure your adjectives agree with the masculine 'tempo'. Don't let feminine words like 'chuva' confuse you.

Clima vs. Tempo

Use 'tempo' for what you see out the window. Use 'clima' for what you read in a geography book.

Icebreaker

If you don't know what to say, ask 'Como está o tempo por lá?'. It works in every Lusophone country.

TV News

Watch the weather segment on 'Jornal Nacional' (Brazil) or 'Telejornal' (Portugal) to hear 'tempo' used professionally.

Weather Changes

Use 'O tempo virou' when a nice day suddenly turns into a storm. It makes you sound very native.

Setting the Scene

In creative writing, use 'tempo' + a sophisticated adjective like 'plúmbeo' or 'ameno' to create mood.

Flight Delays

If your flight is delayed, look for 'mau tempo' on the departure board.

Dry Weather

In Brazil, people often talk about 'tempo seco' and 'baixa umidade'. It's a common health-related topic.

Regionalisms

In Southern Brazil, they might use 'tempo feio' more often than in the North.

Patience

Remember 'dar tempo ao tempo' when you are frustrated with your Portuguese progress!

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a 'TEMPO-rary' state of the sky. Weather is always TEMPO-rary.

Visual Association

Imagine a clock (time) inside a rain cloud (weather). One word, two faces.

Word Web

sol chuva nuvem previsão clima frio calor vento

Challenge

Try to describe the weather for five different cities in the Lusophone world using 'O tempo em [City] está [Adjective]'.

Word Origin

From the Latin 'tempus', which meant both a period of time and a portion of time.

Original meaning: Time, season, or period.

Romance (Indo-European).

Cultural Context

No specific sensitivities, but be aware that 'mau tempo' can be a sensitive topic in regions prone to natural disasters like floods or droughts.

English speakers often find it strange to use one word for two distinct concepts, but Portuguese speakers find the English distinction unnecessary because context always clarifies the meaning.

'O Tempo e o Vento' (The Time and the Wind), a famous trilogy by Brazilian author Érico Veríssimo. 'Tempo Rei' (King Time), a classic song by Gilberto Gil. 'Com o Tempo' (With Time), a song by Madredeus.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Morning Routine

Qual é a previsão do tempo?
O tempo vai chover hoje?
O tempo está frio lá fora?
Vou ver o tempo no celular.

Traveling

O tempo está bom para voar?
Espero que o tempo não estrague a viagem.
Como costuma ser o tempo lá?
O tempo fechou na estrada.

Small Talk

O tempo está louco, não?
Parece que o tempo vai abrir.
Que tempo feio!
Finalmente o tempo melhorou.

Agriculture

Precisamos de tempo de chuva.
O tempo seco está matando o gado.
O tempo virou na hora da colheita.
O tempo de colheita depende do sol.

Sports

O tempo está ótimo para o jogo.
A partida parou por causa do tempo.
O tempo está muito abafado para correr.
O tempo ventou muito durante a prova.

Conversation Starters

"Você já viu a previsão do tempo para este final de semana?"

"O que você acha do tempo hoje? Está meio estranho, não?"

"Você prefere tempo quente ou tempo frio para viajar?"

"O tempo em sua cidade natal é muito diferente daqui?"

"Será que o tempo vai permitir que a gente faça o churrasco amanhã?"

Journal Prompts

Descreva como o tempo está hoje e como isso afeta o seu humor.

Qual foi o pior tempo que você já enfrentou em uma viagem?

Você prefere o tempo de verão ou o tempo de inverno? Por quê?

Como o tempo muda as atividades que você faz durante o dia?

Escreva sobre um dia em que o tempo mudou completamente os seus planos.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Yes, but it can be confusing. For example, 'Não tive tempo de ver a previsão do tempo' (I didn't have time to see the weather forecast) is perfectly correct and common.

Both are correct. 'Está sol' is more common and concise, while 'O tempo está sol' is more descriptive.

It's a linguistic quirk of Romance languages to describe weather as something the environment 'does' or 'makes'. Think of it as 'The universe is making it cold'.

Yes, 'tempo' is always a masculine noun. You must always use 'o', 'um', 'este', 'esse', 'aquele', and masculine adjectives.

They are essentially the same. 'Mau tempo' is slightly more formal and often used in travel or news contexts, while 'tempo ruim' is very common in casual speech.

Yes, to describe the atmosphere. But if you want to say a person feels hot, you say 'Ele está com calor'.

It means the sky is completely covered with dark clouds, often indicating that rain is imminent.

The most common way is 'previsão do tempo'.

In terms of absolute frequency, 'time' is more common, but in daily social interactions, 'weather' is a very close second.

No. If you say 'Os tempos estão chuvosos', it sounds like you are talking about 'rainy eras' in a historical sense. For multiple days of rain, say 'Os dias estão chuvosos'.