How to say “Today”, “Tomorrow”, and “Yesterday” in Portuguese

Introduction

Learning how to say basic time words is essential for everyday communication in Brazilian Portuguese. This article teaches beginner-friendly vocabulary and sample sentences for saying today, tomorrow, and yesterday, plus related phrases, verb examples, common mistakes, and practical tips to use these words naturally.

Core vocabulary: today, tomorrow, yesterday

The three main words you need are hoje, amanhã, and ontem. These are short, common, and appear on schedules, messages, and conversations.

hoje — today

amanhã — tomorrow

ontem — yesterday

Pronunciation and simple tips

Pronunciation guidance helps you be understood. Keep sounds simple and listen to native speakers when possible.

Pronounce hoje like OH-zhee (the j sounds like the s in measure).

Pronounce amanhã like ah-mah-NYAH (the nh is similar to the Spanish ñ).

Pronounce ontem like ON-tem (the o in the first syllable is open).

Tip: Stress in amanhã falls on the last syllable. In casual speech, native speakers may shorten vowels slightly.

Basic example sentences

Everyday short sentences are easiest to start with. Notice verb forms and where the time word sits in the sentence.

Hoje eu trabalho das 9h às 17h.
Today I work from 9 AM to 5 PM.

Eu vou ao mercado hoje.
I’m going to the market today.

Amanhã temos reunião às 10h.
Tomorrow we have a meeting at 10 AM.

Você pode vir amanhã?
Can you come tomorrow?

Ontem eu estudei português duas horas.
Yesterday I studied Portuguese for two hours.

O restaurante estava fechado ontem.
The restaurant was closed yesterday.

Placement of time words in sentences

Time words can appear at the start or end of a sentence. Both positions are common; choose what sounds natural or emphasizes the time.

Start: Amanhã eu visito minha avó.
End: Eu visito minha avó amanhã.

Start for emphasis: Hoje não posso sair. End for neutral info: Eu não posso sair hoje.

Using time words with common verbs

Here are common verbs and realistic beginner sentences using hoje, amanhã, and ontem.

Ir (to go): Eu vou ao banco hoje.

Fazer (to do/make): Nós fazemos o almoço amanhã.

Chegar (to arrive): Ela chegou ontem à noite.

Trabalhar (to work): Você trabalha hoje à tarde?

Estudar (to study): Eles vão estudar amanhã de manhã.

Time phrases that include today, tomorrow, yesterday

Beginners will see compound phrases on signs or in conversation. Learn these common collocations.

hoje à noite — tonight. Example: Vamos jantar hoje à noite?

amanhã de manhã — tomorrow morning. Example: Tenho uma consulta amanhã de manhã.

ontem à tarde — yesterday afternoon. Example: Eu encontrei o João ontem à tarde.

hoje de manhã — this morning. Example: Hoje de manhã estava chovendo.

Questions and short replies

When asking or answering about plans or events, use these simple patterns.

Question: Você vem amanhã?
Answer: Sim, venho amanhã.

Question: O que você fez ontem?
Answer: Eu fui ao cinema ontem.

Question: Está disponível hoje?
Answer: Não, só amanhã.

Using past and future verbs with time words

Ontem usually appears with past tenses like pretérito perfeito or imperfeito.

Example pretérito perfeito: Eu comi pizza ontem.

Example pretérito imperfeito: Quando eu era criança, eu brincava na rua ontem is not used with imperfeito to refer to a single day; use imperfeito for ongoing past actions: Antes eu brincava muito.

Amanhã pairs with future constructions or present tense used for near future.

Future simple (vou + infinitive): Eu vou viajar amanhã.

Simple present used as near future: Eu viajo amanhã (common in spoken Brazilian Portuguese).

Common mistakes beginners make

Here are frequent errors and how to avoid them.

1. Mixing up word order: Putting time words in the middle of a phrase where they sound odd. Both positions work, but match native patterns: Eu vou ao médico hoje or Hoje eu vou ao médico.

2. Incorrect pronunciation of nh in amanhã. Practice with words like manhã and banho to get the palatal nasal sound.

3. Using yesterday with future verbs: Do not say Eu vou ao cinema ontem. Make sure the time word matches the verb tense.

4. Spelling mistakes when writing quickly: amanhã has a tilde on the n sound represented by nh, but beginners sometimes write amanha. For Brazilian Portuguese, correct spelling is amanhã.

Practical scenarios and sample dialogues

Short dialogues help you see these words in context. Use them for practice or role-play.

Dialogue 1 — At a café
Pessoa A: Você quer café hoje?
Pessoa B: Sim, quero agora.

Dialogue 2 — Making plans
Pessoa A: Podemos nos encontrar amanhã?
Pessoa B: Sim, que horas?

Dialogue 3 — Talking about the past
Pessoa A: Como foi o evento ontem?
Pessoa B: Foi ótimo, conheci pessoas novas.

Short signs and messages you may encounter

On schedules, menus, or signs, you will often find these words used concisely.

Cartaz: Aberto hoje até as 22h.

Mensagem de loja: Promoção válida até amanhã.

Email/notice: Relatório enviado ontem à tarde.

Practice exercises for beginners

Do these simple exercises to reinforce learning. Say answers aloud or write them down.

1. Translate to Portuguese: I have class tomorrow morning. Answer: Eu tenho aula amanhã de manhã.

2. Fill in the blank: Eu fui ao mercado _____ (yesterday). Answer: Eu fui ao mercado ontem.

3. Change to a question: Você trabalha hoje? Answer: Você trabalha hoje?

4. Make a future sentence: We will finish the project tomorrow. Answer: Nós vamos terminar o projeto amanhã.

Quick reference cheat sheet

hoje — today. Use for current day events and schedules.

amanhã — tomorrow. Use for plans, appointments, and future references.

ontem — yesterday. Use with past events and completed actions.

Additional beginner tips

1. Listen to short audio or watch simple videos with Brazilian speakers to match rhythm and intonation for these words.

2. Practice replacing English time words with hoje, amanhã, and ontem in your daily diary or flashcards.

3. Use context: if a sentence mentions a past time like ontem, expect past verbs; for amanhã, expect future or near-future constructions.

Conclusion

Mastering hoje, amanhã, and ontem gives beginners a big advantage in everyday Brazilian Portuguese. With pronunciation practice, simple dialogues, and realistic examples, you will quickly understand schedules, messages, and conversations. Keep practicing the example sentences and use the quick reference to build confidence in real situations.