Portuguese phrases for talking about today’s plans

Introduction

Planning your day and talking about today’s plans is one of the most common conversational topics in Brazilian Portuguese. This article gives you 30 essential phrases, clear English explanations, and beginner-friendly examples to help you start real conversations about schedules, errands, meetups, and simple routines.

Why these phrases matter

Talking about plans helps with greetings, making arrangements, and understanding daily schedules. For beginners, learning set phrases builds confidence and makes it easier to navigate shops, cafes, transit, and social situations in Brazil.

How to read the examples

The first appearance of each important Portuguese phrase is highlighted in bold. All Portuguese examples are in Brazilian Portuguese and follow simple English explanations. Short dialogues show realistic exchanges you might hear or use.

30 essential Portuguese phrases for talking about today’s plans

O que você vai fazer hoje? — What are you going to do today?

O que você vai fazer hoje? is a common way to ask about someone’s plans for the day.

Hoje eu vou… — Today I will…

Use Hoje eu vou… to start describing your plans: errands, work, or leisure.

Tenho compromisso hoje — I have an appointment today

Use this for scheduled meetings, doctor appointments, or other fixed plans.

Estou livre à tarde — I’m free in the afternoon

Useful when arranging meetups or offering availability.

Temos um encontro às 18h — We have a meeting at 6pm

Specify time with horas like 8h (8am/8pm depending on context) or 14h (2pm).

Posso ir mais tarde? — Can I come later?

Polite way to propose a change in meeting time.

Vou dar uma corrida — I’m going for a run

Informal plan for exercise. Also could be vou correr.

Vou trabalhar em casa hoje — I’m working from home today

Common when explaining why you won’t meet in person.

Vamos almoçar juntos? — Shall we have lunch together?

Invite someone for a meal; very natural in social and work contexts.

Que horas nos encontramos? — What time do we meet?

Use to confirm or ask for meeting time.

Onde nos encontramos? — Where do we meet?

Ask for a location: a café, station, or a specific address.

Estou a caminho — I’m on my way

Useful when you are en route and want to let someone know you are coming.

Chego em 10 minutos — I’ll arrive in 10 minutes

Estimate arrival time to manage expectations.

Tenho que estudar hoje — I have to study today

Explain why you are unavailable or busy during the day.

Preciso fazer compras — I need to do shopping

Use for grocery or other errands you must complete.

Vou ao mercado — I’m going to the market

Common everyday phrase when going to buy food or supplies.

Hoje à noite quero descansar — Tonight I want to rest

Express preference for relaxing instead of going out.

Vamos ao cinema? — Shall we go to the cinema?

Suggest an evening plan for a movie.

Tem show hoje — There is a show tonight

Talk about events or concerts happening that day.

Você pode me acompanhar? — Can you come with me?

Ask someone to join you for an errand or plan.

Talvez eu vá — Maybe I’ll go

Polite, non-committal response when unsure about attending.

Não posso hoje — I can’t today

Simple refusal or explanation of unavailability.

Confirmado para hoje — Confirmed for today

Use this to finalize plans or appointments.

Adio o compromisso — I postpone the appointment

Say this if you need to move a scheduled plan to another day or time.

Preciso chegar cedo — I need to arrive early

Explain that you must be on time or earlier than others.

Fica combinado! — It’s a deal!/Agreed!

Friendly way to confirm mutual agreement on plans.

Me avisa se mudar — Let me know if it changes

Request updates in case plans change.

Qual é o plano para hoje? — What’s the plan for today?

Ask for a general outline of activities for the day.

Common vocabulary explained

compromisso — appointment or commitment. Use for formal and informal scheduled items.

encontro — meeting or date. Can be social or professional.

chegar — to arrive. Use forms like chego, chega, chegam for different subjects.

a caminho — on the way. Works for messages when you are traveling to a meeting.

almoço / jantar — lunch / dinner. Useful when arranging meals during the day.

mais tarde — later. Simple time modifier to propose a different time.

hoje à tarde / hoje à noite — this afternoon / tonight. Specify part of day for clearer plans.

Beginner-friendly short dialogues

Dialogue 1: Making a lunch plan

Oi, você está livre hoje?
Sim, estou livre à tarde. Vamos almoçar às 12h30?
Perfeito, confirmo. Onde nos encontramos?
No restaurante perto do trabalho. Te vejo lá.

Dialogue 2: Running late

Oi, onde você está?
Estou a caminho, mas tem trânsito. Chego em 20 minutos.
Tudo bem. Eu vou esperar no café.

Dialogue 3: Changing an appointment

Bom dia, posso adiar nosso compromisso?
Claro, quando você prefere?
Amanhã de manhã seria melhor.
Fechado. Te mando o novo horário.

Practical tips for beginners

1. Use short, clear phrases. Beginners should favor set expressions like Hoje eu vou… and Estou a caminho rather than long sentences.

2. Learn time expressions: hoje, hoje de manhã, hoje à tarde, hoje à noite, mais tarde, agora. These help you place plans in the day.

3. Confirm details: always ask Que horas? and Onde? to avoid confusion.

4. Polite change requests: say Posso ir mais tarde? or Me avisa se mudar to keep arrangements flexible and polite.

5. Use simple verbs: ir, chegar, precisar, querer, poder. These verbs cover most planning situations.

Common beginner mistakes and how to avoid them

Mistake 1: Mixing up hoje and ontem. Remember hoje means today, ontem means yesterday. Be clear when talking about timing.

Mistake 2: Forgetting prepositions with times. Say às 18h for at 6pm. Omitting à/às can sound incomplete.

Mistake 3: Using eu vou with future projects incorrectly. For immediate plans today, Hoje eu vou… works; for distant future, combine with amanhã or depois.

Mistake 4: Overusing English structure. Try to follow Portuguese word order: subject + verb + time. Example: Eu vou ao mercado hoje, not Hoje eu vou ao mercado (both are possible, but the natural flow often places time at the end).

More real-world examples

On public transport: Estou a caminho do trabalho. Chego em 15 minutos.

At a restaurant: Vamos almoçar juntos? Hoje eu quero experimentar o prato do dia.

At a store: Preciso fazer compras para o jantar de hoje. Você pode me acompanhar?

At work: Temos um encontro às 10h com o cliente. Prepare os documentos.

How to practice these phrases

1. Memorize 5-10 phrases that match your daily routine and practice them in short role-play dialogues with a friend or language partner.

2. Use messaging: write simple texts using phrases like Estou a caminho and Chego em 10 minutos to build confidence.

3. Listen to native speakers in short videos or apps and repeat common lines slowly until pronunciation feels comfortable.

Conclusion

Mastering these 30 phrases will help any beginner confidently discuss today’s plans in Brazilian Portuguese. Focus on common verbs, time expressions, and polite confirmations. Use the short dialogues and practical examples to build natural conversational habits for everyday situations.