Introduction
This article explains the difference between Cerca de and Por volta de in Brazilian Portuguese, two common expressions used to indicate approximate numbers and times. You will learn when to use each phrase, subtle distinctions, sample sentences, and helpful usage notes so you can speak naturally and confidently.
- Basic meaning and quick overview
- Grammar and structure
- Using Cerca de for amounts and quantities
- Using Por volta de for time and casual speech
- Contexts where they overlap
- Subtle differences in nuance
- Common collocations and set phrases
- Formality, register, and regional usage
- Practical tips to remember
- Examples in everyday Brazilian Portuguese
- Common mistakes to avoid
- Advanced nuance: combining with other modifiers
- Quick reference: when to pick which
- Conclusion
Basic meaning and quick overview
Cerca de and Por volta de both express approximation in Portuguese, but they are used slightly differently depending on context. Both can mean about, around, or approximately before numbers, quantities, and times. In many situations they are interchangeable, yet some preferences and collocations make one option more natural than the other.
Core differences at a glance
Cerca de is slightly more formal and common for numerical estimates, quantities, and statistics. Use Cerca de for amounts, ages, distances, and measurements.
Por volta de is more commonly used for time and clock-based approximations, everyday spoken language, and informal contexts. Use Por volta de when referring to hours, dates, and approximate moments.
Grammar and structure
Both expressions are prepositional phrases that are placed before a number, a time expression, or a noun phrase. Grammatically they do not change form for gender or number. You can follow them with numerals, quantifiers, or nouns.
Placement in a sentence
Place cerca de or por volta de before the element you want to approximate. Typical patterns:
cerca de + numeral / noun
por volta de + numeral / time expression
Examples:
Há cerca de 50 pessoas no evento.
O filme começa por volta de 20h.
Using Cerca de for amounts and quantities
Cerca de is ideal when talking about quantities, distances, prices, ages, and statistical data. It conveys a general estimate and is common in written and spoken Portuguese.
Examples with numbers and quantities
Use cerca de when you do not know the exact number or when precision is unnecessary:
O prédio tem cerca de 30 andares.
Precisamos de cerca de 2 litros de leite.
Ela tem cerca de 25 anos.
O Rio de Janeiro fica a cerca de 430 km de São Paulo.
Statistical and formal contexts
In reports, news, academic work, and formal speech, cerca de is preferred because it sounds more neutral and precise when indicating estimates.
Exemplo: A pesquisa mostrou que cerca de 60% dos entrevistados concordam com a proposta.
Using Por volta de for time and casual speech
Por volta de is especially natural when estimating time on the clock or referring to moments of the day. It feels more conversational and is widely used in spoken Brazilian Portuguese.
Examples with time and schedules
When you want to say approximately what hour something happens, use por volta de:
Vamos nos encontrar por volta de 18h.
O trem chega por volta de meia-noite.
Eu acordo por volta de 7h todos os dias.
Casual and flexible timing
Por volta de suggests a time window rather than a single moment. It implies flexibility and is useful in social plans when exact timing is not critical.
Exemplo: Chego por volta de duas, mas posso me atrasar um pouco.
Contexts where they overlap
There are many situations where both expressions are acceptable. When approximating general numbers or times, you can often choose either one without changing the meaning significantly. Your choice may reflect formality, emphasis, or spoken rhythm.
Interchangeable examples
Both phrases work with many expressions of time and quantity:
Havia cerca de 20 pessoas na festa.
Havia por volta de 20 pessoas na festa.
Ambas as versões soam naturais; por volta de pode soar um pouco mais coloquial.
Subtle differences in nuance
Even when interchangeable, small nuances can guide your choice. Cerca de can feel more numerical and suited to precise-sounding estimates, while por volta de feels more temporal and conversational.
Precision vs. vagueness
If you want to stress that your number is an educated estimate or based on data, prefer cerca de. If you want to express a loose approximation or a casual plan, choose por volta de.
Exemplo formal: O custo será cerca de R$ 1.000.
Exemplo casual: A festa vai começar por volta de 22h.
Time windows vs. single values
When you want to emphasize a time window or a flexible arrival, por volta de is better. For quantities that benefit from a single approximate number, cerca de fits naturally.
Exemplo: Estarei no escritório por volta de 9h30 (janela de tempo).
Exemplo: O orçamento é cerca de R$ 5.000 (estimativa numérica).
Common collocations and set phrases
Some collocations feel more natural with one phrase. Learn these patterns to sound more fluent.
Typical collocations for Cerca de
cerca de + pessoas / anos / km / litros / reais / porcentagem
Examples:
cerca de 100 pessoas
cerca de 10 anos
cerca de 200 km
Typical collocations for Por volta de
por volta de + horas / datas / dias / momentos
Examples:
por volta de 8h
por volta de janeiro de 2010
por volta do meio-dia
Formality, register, and regional usage
Both phrases are used throughout Brazil. Cerca de appears slightly more in written and formal registers, while por volta de is extremely common in spoken, colloquial contexts. Regional differences are minor—Brazilian speakers across states will understand and use both.
When learning vocabulary, prioritize comprehension
At beginner and intermediate levels, focus on understanding both phrases in context. Native speakers will switch between them naturally. As you become more fluent, mimic the register: use cerca de when reading news or giving statistics, and por volta de when making casual plans.
Practical tips to remember
Mnemonic tips make it easier to choose the right phrase quickly.
Tip 1: Think numbers vs. clocks. If you imagine a number like 50 or 100, cerca de is a safe choice. If you imagine a clock face or a meeting time, por volta de is usually better.
Tip 2: Formal vs. informal. For formal writing, default to cerca de. For spoken conversation, default to por volta de.
Tip 3: Use context. If your sentence refers to an estimate based on data, pick cerca de. If it describes when someone will arrive or an approximate schedule, pick por volta de.
Examples in everyday Brazilian Portuguese
Below are common, natural sentences where each expression is used. Each example uses Brazilian Portuguese vocabulary and typical phrasing.
Quero comprar cerca de 3 quilos de maçã.
O show começa por volta de 21h30.
Temos cerca de 200 clientes ativos no mês.
Ela nasceu por volta de 1990.
A viagem vai durar cerca de cinco horas.
Encontro com o time por volta de meio-dia.
O restaurante custa cerca de R$ 80 por pessoa.
Ele saiu de casa por volta de três da manhã.
Small dialogues to show natural use
Conversation 1:
A: A que horas será a reunião?
B: Deve ser por volta de 10h.
Conversation 2:
A: Quantas pessoas vieram ontem?
B: Acho que cerca de 40.
Common mistakes to avoid
Beginners sometimes overuse one phrase or translate directly from English. Avoid translating directly from about, around or roughly without checking natural Portuguese collocations.
Mistake: Using por volta de for precise statistical statements where cerca de sounds better.
Better: Use cerca de for survey results or official estimates.
Mistake: Using cerca de for casual time estimates in spoken plans.
Better: Use por volta de for meeting times and arrivals.
Advanced nuance: combining with other modifiers
You can combine both expressions with modifiers like aproximadamente, mais ou menos, pouco mais de, and pouco menos de to refine the approximation.
Examples:
Cerca de 50 pessoas = basic estimate.
Aproximadamente 50 pessoas = slightly more formal or precise.
Por volta de 50 pessoas = possible in speech for a casual estimate.
Combine for emphasis: Cerca de 50 a 60 pessoas ou por volta de 9h30 a 10h.
Quick reference: when to pick which
Use this short guide when deciding in the moment:
– Quantities, numbers, statistics, prices: cerca de.
– Time of day, meeting times, approximate moments: por volta de.
– Formal writing or neutral estimates: cerca de.
– Spoken informal plans or flexible timing: por volta de.
Conclusion
Cerca de and Por volta de both express approximation in Brazilian Portuguese, but they serve slightly different roles. Use cerca de for numerical estimates, formal contexts, and statistics; use por volta de for times, casual speech, and flexible schedules. Understanding these nuances will help your Portuguese sound more natural and accurate.
