Learning a new language is always an exciting journey, and understanding the nuances of grammar can significantly enhance your fluency. In Portuguese, one of the key aspects to master is the use of prepositions of time. These small words can make a big difference in conveying the right meaning and ensuring clear communication. This article will guide you through the various prepositions of time in Portuguese, providing examples and explanations to help you grasp their usage effectively.
What Are Prepositions of Time?
Prepositions of time are words that link nouns, pronouns, and phrases to other words in a sentence. They are essential for indicating specific points in time, durations, and relationships between events. In Portuguese, these prepositions help answer questions like “When?” and “For how long?” By understanding and using them correctly, you can express yourself more clearly and accurately.
Common Prepositions of Time in Portuguese
Several prepositions in Portuguese are used to indicate time. Here are some of the most common ones:
1. **Em**
2. **A**
3. **De**
4. **Para**
5. **Desde**
6. **Até**
7. **Durante**
8. **Entre**
9. **Por**
Let’s explore each of these in detail, with examples to illustrate their usage.
Em (In/On/At)
The preposition **em** is versatile and can be used to indicate specific points in time such as days, months, years, and specific moments.
– **Days:**
– Example: “Eu vou ao mercado em segunda-feira.” (I go to the market on Monday.)
– **Months:**
– Example: “A festa é em julho.” (The party is in July.)
– **Years:**
– Example: “Eles se casaram em 1990.” (They got married in 1990.)
– **Specific Moments:**
– Example: “A reunião é em uma hora.” (The meeting is in an hour.)
A (At/On)
The preposition **a** is often used to indicate specific times of the day and durations.
– **Specific Times:**
– Example: “O trem chega à meia-noite.” (The train arrives at midnight.)
– **Durations:**
– Example: “Nós vamos viajar a semana inteira.” (We will travel for the whole week.)
De (From/Of)
**De** is used to indicate the starting point of an event or time period.
– **Starting Points:**
– Example: “A loja abre de manhã.” (The store opens in the morning.)
– **Periods:**
– Example: “Eu trabalho de segunda a sexta.” (I work from Monday to Friday.)
Para (For/To)
The preposition **para** often indicates a specific time in the future when something will happen.
– **Future Time:**
– Example: “O relatório é para amanhã.” (The report is for tomorrow.)
Desde (Since)
**Desde** is used to indicate a starting point in the past that continues up to the present.
– **Starting Point in the Past:**
– Example: “Ele mora aqui desde 2010.” (He has lived here since 2010.)
Até (Until)
**Até** is used to indicate an endpoint in time.
– **Endpoint:**
– Example: “Eu vou ficar aqui até amanhã.” (I will stay here until tomorrow.)
Durante (During)
**Durante** is used to indicate a period within which something happens.
– **Period:**
– Example: “Nós estudamos durante a noite.” (We study during the night.)
Entre (Between)
**Entre** is used to indicate a time frame between two points.
– **Time Frame:**
– Example: “A loja está aberta entre 9 e 5.” (The store is open between 9 and 5.)
Por (For)
**Por** is used to indicate the duration of an activity.
– **Duration:**
– Example: “Eu vou viajar por duas semanas.” (I will travel for two weeks.)
Usage in Sentences
Understanding the context in which these prepositions are used is crucial for mastering their application. Let’s look at some more examples to reinforce their usage.
– **Em:**
– “O curso começa em setembro.” (The course starts in September.)
– “A festa é em minha casa.” (The party is at my house.)
– **A:**
– “A aula começa às 8 horas.” (The class starts at 8 o’clock.)
– “Nós vamos viajar a semana inteira.” (We will travel for the entire week.)
– **De:**
– “Eu trabalho de manhã.” (I work in the morning.)
– “O mercado está aberto de segunda a sábado.” (The market is open from Monday to Saturday.)
– **Para:**
– “O projeto é para a próxima semana.” (The project is for next week.)
– “Eu trouxe um presente para você.” (I brought a gift for you.)
– **Desde:**
– “Ela mora aqui desde 2005.” (She has lived here since 2005.)
– “Estamos esperando desde cedo.” (We have been waiting since early.)
– **Até:**
– “Eu vou ficar aqui até sexta-feira.” (I will stay here until Friday.)
– “O prazo é até o final do mês.” (The deadline is until the end of the month.)
– **Durante:**
– “Estudamos durante a noite.” (We study during the night.)
– “Ele trabalhou durante todo o verão.” (He worked during the entire summer.)
– **Entre:**
– “O intervalo é entre 12 e 1.” (The break is between 12 and 1.)
– “A reunião será entre segunda e quarta.” (The meeting will be between Monday and Wednesday.)
– **Por:**
– “Eu vou ficar aqui por uma semana.” (I will stay here for a week.)
– “Ele estudou por três horas.” (He studied for three hours.)
Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them
As with any language, there are some common pitfalls when using prepositions of time in Portuguese. Here are a few tips to help you avoid mistakes:
1. **Confusing “em” and “a”:** Remember that **em** is often used for months, years, and specific moments, while **a** is used for specific times and durations.
2. **Mixing Up “desde” and “de”:** **Desde** is used for a starting point in the past that continues to the present, whereas **de** indicates a general starting point.
3. **Incorrectly Using “para” and “por”:** **Para** is used for specific future times, while **por** is used for durations of activities.
4. **Overusing “em”:** While **em** is versatile, using it too often can make your sentences sound unnatural. Be mindful of when to use other prepositions for clarity.
5. **Forgetting Agreement:** Some prepositions, like **a**, need to agree with the gender and number of the noun they precede. For example, “a” becomes “à” when combined with “a” (the).
Practice Exercises
To solidify your understanding, here are some practice exercises. Try to fill in the blanks with the correct preposition of time:
1. Eu vou viajar ___ duas semanas.
2. A loja está aberta ___ 9 e 5.
3. Ele mora aqui ___ 2010.
4. O relatório é ___ amanhã.
5. Eu trabalho ___ segunda a sexta.
6. Nós estudamos ___ a noite.
7. Eu vou ficar aqui ___ sexta-feira.
8. A festa é ___ minha casa.
9. O trem chega ___ meia-noite.
10. Estudamos ___ todo o verão.
Answers:
1. por
2. entre
3. desde
4. para
5. de
6. durante
7. até
8. em
9. à
10. durante
By practicing these exercises, you’ll become more familiar with the correct usage of prepositions of time in Portuguese.
Conclusion
Mastering prepositions of time in Portuguese is a vital step in becoming fluent and communicating effectively. While they may seem daunting at first, with practice and attention to detail, you’ll find that using them becomes second nature. Remember to pay attention to the context and nuances of each preposition, and don’t be afraid to practice with native speakers or in real-life situations. Happy learning!
