Adverbs are an essential part of language that modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs, providing more information about the action or state being described. In Portuguese, adverbs of time, or “advérbios de tempo,” are crucial for expressing when an action takes place. Understanding and using these adverbs correctly can greatly enhance your fluency and comprehension of Portuguese. This article aims to provide a comprehensive guide to adverbs of time in Portuguese grammar, focusing on their meanings, usage, and examples.
What Are Adverbs of Time?
Adverbs of time specify *when* an action occurs. They answer questions such as “when?”, “how long?”, and “how often?”. In Portuguese, these adverbs are often placed at the beginning or end of a sentence, although their position can sometimes vary.
Common Adverbs of Time in Portuguese
Here are some of the most frequently used adverbs of time in Portuguese:
– **Agora** (now)
– **Já** (already)
– **Depois** (after)
– **Antes** (before)
– **Sempre** (always)
– **Nunca** (never)
– **Hoje** (today)
– **Ontem** (yesterday)
– **Amanhã** (tomorrow)
– **Logo** (soon)
– **Tarde** (late)
– **Cedo** (early)
– **Ainda** (still, yet)
– **Frequentemente** (frequently)
– **Raramente** (rarely)
– **Às vezes** (sometimes)
Agora (Now)
The adverb “agora” is used to indicate that something is happening at the present moment. It is similar to the English word “now.”
Example:
– **Portuguese:** Eu estou estudando português agora.
– **English:** I am studying Portuguese now.
Já (Already)
“Já” is used to express that something has occurred earlier than expected or has been completed. It translates to “already” in English.
Example:
– **Portuguese:** Eu já terminei o meu trabalho.
– **English:** I have already finished my work.
Depois (After)
“Depois” is used to indicate that something happens following another event. It is the equivalent of “after” in English.
Example:
– **Portuguese:** Vamos ao cinema depois do jantar.
– **English:** We are going to the movies after dinner.
Antes (Before)
“Antes” means “before” and is used to indicate that something happens prior to another event.
Example:
– **Portuguese:** Eu sempre tomo café antes do trabalho.
– **English:** I always have coffee before work.
Sempre (Always)
“Sempre” is used to express that an action occurs all the time, similar to the English word “always.”
Example:
– **Portuguese:** Ela sempre chega cedo.
– **English:** She always arrives early.
Nunca (Never)
“Nunca” is the opposite of “sempre” and is used to indicate that something does not happen at all. It translates to “never” in English.
Example:
– **Portuguese:** Eu nunca vou a festas.
– **English:** I never go to parties.
Hoje (Today)
“Hoje” is used to specify that something is happening on the current day. It translates to “today” in English.
Example:
– **Portuguese:** Hoje é meu aniversário.
– **English:** Today is my birthday.
Ontem (Yesterday)
“Ontem” refers to the day before today and translates to “yesterday” in English.
Example:
– **Portuguese:** Ontem nós fomos ao parque.
– **English:** Yesterday we went to the park.
Amanhã (Tomorrow)
“Amanhã” is used to talk about the day after today and translates to “tomorrow” in English.
Example:
– **Portuguese:** Amanhã eu vou viajar.
– **English:** Tomorrow I am going to travel.
Logo (Soon)
“Logo” means “soon” and is used to indicate that something will happen in the near future.
Example:
– **Portuguese:** Eu volto logo.
– **English:** I will be back soon.
Tarde (Late)
“Tarde” is used to indicate that something happens later than expected. It translates to “late” in English.
Example:
– **Portuguese:** Ele chegou tarde à reunião.
– **English:** He arrived late to the meeting.
Cedo (Early)
“Cedo” is the opposite of “tarde” and means “early.” It is used to indicate that something happens sooner than expected.
Example:
– **Portuguese:** Nós acordamos cedo.
– **English:** We woke up early.
Ainda (Still, Yet)
“Ainda” can mean “still” or “yet,” depending on the context. It is used to indicate that something is continuing or has not happened yet.
Example:
– **Portuguese:** Eu ainda estou trabalhando.
– **English:** I am still working.
Example:
– **Portuguese:** Ele ainda não chegou.
– **English:** He has not arrived yet.
Frequentemente (Frequently)
“Frequentemente” is used to indicate that something happens often. It translates to “frequently” in English.
Example:
– **Portuguese:** Ela viaja frequentemente a trabalho.
– **English:** She travels frequently for work.
Raramente (Rarely)
“Raramente” is used to indicate that something happens infrequently. It translates to “rarely” in English.
Example:
– **Portuguese:** Ele raramente sai de casa.
– **English:** He rarely leaves the house.
Às vezes (Sometimes)
“Às vezes” is used to indicate that something happens occasionally. It translates to “sometimes” in English.
Example:
– **Portuguese:** Às vezes eu gosto de cozinhar.
– **English:** Sometimes I like to cook.
Position of Adverbs of Time in a Sentence
In Portuguese, the position of adverbs of time can vary, but they are generally placed either at the beginning or the end of a sentence. Here are some guidelines to help you understand their placement:
At the Beginning of a Sentence
Placing an adverb of time at the beginning of a sentence can emphasize the time aspect of the action.
Example:
– **Portuguese:** Amanhã, nós vamos ao cinema.
– **English:** Tomorrow, we are going to the movies.
Example:
– **Portuguese:** Hoje, eu vou trabalhar em casa.
– **English:** Today, I will work from home.
At the End of a Sentence
Placing an adverb of time at the end of a sentence is more common and usually sounds more natural.
Example:
– **Portuguese:** Nós vamos ao cinema amanhã.
– **English:** We are going to the movies tomorrow.
Example:
– **Portuguese:** Eu vou trabalhar em casa hoje.
– **English:** I will work from home today.
Combining Adverbs of Time
Sometimes, multiple adverbs of time can be used in a single sentence to provide more detailed information about the timing of an action. In such cases, the adverbs are usually separated by commas.
Example:
– **Portuguese:** Eu vou ao mercado hoje, mais tarde.
– **English:** I am going to the market today, later.
Example:
– **Portuguese:** Ele chega amanhã, cedo.
– **English:** He arrives tomorrow, early.
Using Adverbs of Time with Different Tenses
Adverbs of time can be used with different verb tenses to indicate when an action takes place. Here are some examples with various tenses:
Present Tense
Example:
– **Portuguese:** Eu sempre leio antes de dormir.
– **English:** I always read before sleeping.
Past Tense
Example:
– **Portuguese:** Ontem, eu fui ao parque.
– **English:** Yesterday, I went to the park.
Future Tense
Example:
– **Portuguese:** Amanhã, nós vamos viajar.
– **English:** Tomorrow, we will travel.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
When using adverbs of time in Portuguese, there are a few common mistakes that learners should be aware of:
Incorrect Placement
As mentioned earlier, while adverbs of time can be placed at the beginning or end of a sentence, placing them in the middle can sometimes lead to confusion or awkwardness.
Incorrect:
– **Portuguese:** Eu vou amanhã ao mercado.
– **English:** I will tomorrow go to the market.
Correct:
– **Portuguese:** Eu vou ao mercado amanhã.
– **English:** I will go to the market tomorrow.
Confusing Adverbs
Some adverbs of time can be easily confused due to their similar meanings. For example, “já” (already) and “ainda” (still/yet) can be tricky for learners.
Incorrect:
– **Portuguese:** Eu ainda terminei o trabalho.
– **English:** I still finished the work.
Correct:
– **Portuguese:** Eu já terminei o trabalho.
– **English:** I already finished the work.
Overusing Adverbs
While adverbs of time are useful, overusing them can make sentences cumbersome. Use them sparingly to ensure clarity and natural flow.
Incorrect:
– **Portuguese:** Eu sempre vou ao mercado sempre às segundas-feiras sempre.
– **English:** I always go to the market always on Mondays always.
Correct:
– **Portuguese:** Eu sempre vou ao mercado às segundas-feiras.
– **English:** I always go to the market on Mondays.
Practice Exercises
To solidify your understanding of adverbs of time in Portuguese, try these practice exercises. Translate the following sentences into Portuguese, paying attention to the correct placement and usage of adverbs of time.
1. I will visit my grandmother tomorrow.
2. She always drinks coffee before work.
3. They rarely go out on weekends.
4. We are going to the beach today, later.
5. He has not arrived yet.
Answers:
1. Eu vou visitar minha avó amanhã.
2. Ela sempre toma café antes do trabalho.
3. Eles raramente saem nos fins de semana.
4. Nós vamos à praia hoje, mais tarde.
5. Ele ainda não chegou.
Conclusion
Adverbs of time play a crucial role in expressing when actions occur in Portuguese. By understanding their meanings, usage, and positions within sentences, you can greatly enhance your fluency and comprehension of the language. Remember to practice regularly and pay attention to the nuances of each adverb to avoid common mistakes. With time and dedication, you will become more confident in using adverbs of time in your Portuguese conversations and writing.
