Introduction
Learning how to say time expressions like this week and next week in Brazilian Portuguese is one of the quickest ways to make everyday conversations more natural. This guide explains common phrases, short examples, useful vocabulary, beginner tips, and frequent mistakes so you can use these expressions with confidence in practical situations.
Basic expressions: this week and next week
The simplest way to say this week in Brazilian Portuguese is esta semana. For next week, the most common phrase is semana que vem. These two phrases cover most everyday needs when talking about plans, schedules, or events.
Examples:
Esta semana eu vou ao mercado.
Esta semana eu vou ao mercado. — This week I am going to the market.
Semana que vem eu tenho uma reunião.
Semana que vem eu tenho uma reunião. — Next week I have a meeting.
Alternative ways and small variations
Brazilian Portuguese allows a few natural alternatives that beginners will encounter. These alternatives are useful in spoken and informal written language.
Essa semana — a casual spoken alternative to esta semana. Often heard in conversation or messages.
Example: Essa semana eu vou visitar minha avó.
Essa semana eu vou visitar minha avó. — This week I will visit my grandmother.
Na semana que vem — slightly more formal or emphatic version of semana que vem, literally meaning in the week that comes.
Example: Na semana que vem começamos o curso.
Na semana que vem começamos o curso. — Next week we start the course.
Grammar notes for beginners
These expressions are short, but a few grammar details help you use them correctly.
1. Agreement and articles: esta semana and essa semana use a demonstrative and a feminine noun. Semana is feminine, so you will not use masculine forms like este or esse.
2. Word order: semana que vem places the noun first and then the relative clause. This is natural and frequent in spoken Portuguese.
3. Prepositions: Adding na before semana que vem is optional but common. Use na semana que vem to sound slightly more formal or clear in speech.
Common short phrases and messages
Beginners will often use these expressions in short messages, scheduling, or casual talk. Below are typical, realistic examples you might read in a chat or hear from a friend.
Phone message or text: Posso te ligar esta semana?
Posso te ligar esta semana? — Can I call you this week?
Work scheduling: Reunião na semana que vem, terça às 10h.
Reunião na semana que vem, terça às 10h. — Meeting next week, Tuesday at 10 AM.
Making plans: Vamos no cinema essa semana?
Vamos no cinema essa semana? — Shall we go to the cinema this week?
Reminding someone: Não esqueça: prova semana que vem.
Não esqueça: prova semana que vem. — Don’t forget: test next week.
Useful vocabulary related to weeks
Knowing a few related words makes it easier to expand your sentences and understand context.
semana — week
hoje — today
amanhã — tomorrow
ontem — yesterday
próxima — next (feminine; used with semana as in semana próxima but less common than semana que vem)
final de semana — weekend
dia — day
amanhã de manhã — tomorrow morning
Using próxima and futura
Beginners sometimes encounter próxima as in semana próxima or semana seguinte. These are correct but less common in conversation. Native speakers typically prefer semana que vem or na próxima semana for clarity.
Examples:
Na próxima semana vou viajar.
Na próxima semana vou viajar. — Next week I will travel.
Semana seguinte is more formal and often found in written texts rather than casual speech.
Practical tips for beginners
Short, actionable tips will help you use these phrases naturally.
1. Listen and copy: Pay attention to messages and podcasts in Brazilian Portuguese. You will hear essa semana and semana que vem often in everyday speech.
2. Practice common patterns: Make simple sentences for your own schedule, for example, Esta semana eu trabalho às noites or Semana que vem eu vou ao médico.
3. Use na for clarity: If your sentence sounds short and ambiguous, add na before semana que vem: Na semana que vem eu confirmo.
4. Match formality: Use essa semana in messages and conversations, and na próxima semana for written notes or emails when you want to sound polite.
Common beginner mistakes and how to avoid them
Beginners often make predictable errors. Here are the most frequent ones and simple corrections.
Mistake: Using masculine demonstrative with semana, for example escrevendo este semana.
Fix: Use esta or essa because semana is feminine: esta semana, essa semana.
Mistake: Translating word-for-word from English and saying *essa semana que vem* or *esta próxima semana* mixing forms awkwardly.
Fix: Keep it simple. Use essa semana for this week and semana que vem or na próxima semana for next week.
Mistake: Omitting prepositions where they are helpful for clarity, such as saying *semana que vem tenho prova* in a formal email.
Fix: In more formal or clearer contexts, use na semana que vem or na próxima semana.
Short dialogue examples for practice
These mini-dialogues are realistic and useful for everyday beginner practice. Read them aloud and try to substitute details like days or activities.
A: O que você faz esta semana?
B: Trabalho até sexta. E você?
A: Vou viajar semana que vem.
A: O que você faz esta semana?
B: Trabalho até sexta. E você?
A: Vou viajar semana que vem.
A: A reunião é essa semana?
B: Não, é na próxima semana, terça-feira.
A: A reunião é essa semana?
B: Não, é na próxima semana, terça-feira.
A: Posso marcar com você esta semana?
B: Sim, que dia funciona melhor?
A: Posso marcar com você esta semana?
B: Sim, que dia funciona melhor?
How to ask questions with these phrases
Beginners need a couple of simple question forms to get information about time or schedules.
Simple question: Essa semana você está livre?
Essa semana você está livre? — Are you free this week?
Confirming plans: Marcamos para semana que vem?
Marcamos para semana que vem? — Shall we schedule it for next week?
Asking for specifics: Qual dia da semana que vem funciona para você?
Qual dia da semana que vem funciona para você? — Which day next week works for you?
Practice exercises for learners
Try these short exercises to build confidence. Write answers aloud or in a notebook using Brazilian Portuguese phrases.
1. Describe one thing you will do this week using esta semana or essa semana.
2. Make a plan for next week using semana que vem or na próxima semana.
3. Convert English sentences to Portuguese: Today I have a doctor appointment this week. I will travel next week. Use the correct demonstrative and preposition.
Conclusion
Mastering esta semana and semana que vem gives you immediate practical power in Brazilian Portuguese conversations. Use the casual variants essa semana and na próxima semana to match tone, watch for feminine agreement with semana, and practice with short messages and dialogues to build confidence quickly.
