Hora vs. Horário: Ask the Time or Check a Schedule — Practice
A guided practice lesson with English explanations, Brazilian Portuguese examples, and answers you can check. Read the examples, recall the meaning, then say a version of your own.
Use hora for the time or an hour
Hora can mean a time on the clock, a period, or an hour. Ask que horas são? for the current time and a que horas? to ask when an event begins.
Hora also appears in expressions such as na hora certa (at the right time) and hora de sair (time to leave). Learn it in the full phrase.
| Brazilian Portuguese | English meaning |
|---|---|
| Que horas são? | What time is it? |
| A que horas o filme começa? | What time does the movie start? |
| A viagem levou duas horas. | The trip took two hours. |
Use horário for a schedule, timetable, or time slot
Horário usually refers to a schedule, timetable, opening time, or assigned time slot. Ask qual é o horário da consulta? when you need the appointment time; ask quais são os horários? when comparing available slots.
Hora and horário can overlap when people ask when something happens. Horário more strongly suggests an organized time, while hora is the everyday word for the time itself.
| Brazilian Portuguese | English meaning |
|---|---|
| O horário de funcionamento está na porta. | The opening hours are posted on the door. |
| Qual horário fica melhor para você? | Which time slot works best for you? |
| Mudaram o horário da reunião. | They changed the meeting time. |
Remember: Hora is a time or hour; horário is often a schedule or planned time slot. Use que horas são? for the clock and horário for schedules.
Check your understanding
Choose the English meaning of each Portuguese example. Answer before looking back at the tables. These questions check the written examples in this guide; they are not a listening or proficiency test.
Recall the Portuguese, then say it
Read the English prompt and say a Portuguese version before opening the answer. The answer shows the example from the lesson; other natural translations may also work. Compare the meaning and the situation rather than counting a different word as automatically wrong.
What time is it?
Show a Portuguese answer
Que horas são?
What time does the movie start?
Show a Portuguese answer
A que horas o filme começa?
The trip took two hours.
Show a Portuguese answer
A viagem levou duas horas.
The opening hours are posted on the door.
Show a Portuguese answer
O horário de funcionamento está na porta.
Which time slot works best for you?
Show a Portuguese answer
Qual horário fica melhor para você?
They changed the meeting time.
Show a Portuguese answer
Mudaram o horário da reunião.
Make the phrase useful to you
Choose one example you could actually use. Say it once from memory, then change one detail that fits your life, such as the person, place, time, or object. Check whether your change also needs a different verb form, article, or adjective ending. If it does, compare it with the pattern in the explanation.
Hora is a time or hour; horário is often a schedule or planned time slot. Use que horas são? for the clock and horário for schedules.
Return to two prompts tomorrow without opening the answers first. If a phrase still feels difficult, shorten it to a useful chunk and build the complete sentence again.
Sources and your next lesson
This I Speak Portuguese practice guide builds on our Hora vs. Horário: Ask the Time or Check a Schedule? lesson on Real Life Portuguese, with written recall tasks and additional speaking practice. The explanations and examples are teaching material; the practice questions are exercises, not a transcript of a recording.
To add Brazilian audio to your routine, choose a lesson in the Real Life Portuguese app. The app offers its own lessons and practice; this page does not imply that every example here has an app recording.
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