“Às vezes” vs “De vez em quando” in Portuguese: Frequency Differences

Introduction

Many English-speaking learners of Brazilian Portuguese get confused by similar expressions that talk about frequency. Two of the most common are Às vezes and De vez em quando. Both translate roughly to sometimes, but they have subtle differences in nuance, usage, and rhythm. This article explains those differences with clear grammar points, sample sentences, and cultural notes to help you choose the best option in different contexts.

Basic meanings and literal translations

Às vezes literally means at the times or on the occasions. It is a fixed adverbial phrase used to indicate that an action happens on some occasions but not always.

De vez em quando literally means from time to time. It also indicates occasional or intermittent actions, but it often implies irregular spacing between occurrences — something happens now and then, with no fixed schedule.

Frequency and nuance: direct comparison

General frequency

Both phrases express that an action occurs occasionally. However, learners should note a subtle difference in perceived frequency:

– Às vezes often suggests a somewhat higher or more balanced frequency. It feels like something happens on some regular but non-constant basis. For example, a person might do an activity weekly or a few times a month and say às vezes.

– De vez em quando tends to emphasize irregularity and unpredictability. It suggests that the action happens rarely enough to be noteworthy, perhaps less often than implied by às vezes.

English equivalents and how they map

In English both can translate to sometimes, occasionally, or from time to time. To help you map usage:

– Use às vezes when you want the neutral sometimes. Example mapping: sometimes, at times.

– Use de vez em quando when you want to stress that events happen intermittently and without a pattern. Example mapping: from time to time, every now and then.

Grammar and position in the sentence

Adverbial function

Both às vezes and de vez em quando function as adverbial phrases of frequency. They modify verbs and can appear in several positions:

– At the beginning of a sentence for emphasis:
Às vezes eu trabalho até tarde.
De vez em quando eu viajo nos fins de semana.

– After the subject:
Eu às vezes estudo de noite.
Eu de vez em quando estudo de noite.

– At the end of the sentence:
Eu trabalho até tarde às vezes.
Eu viajo nos fins de semana de vez em quando.

Comma usage

When these phrases are placed at the beginning of a sentence, you can optionally add a comma after them if you want a slight pause in speech or writing. In informal writing, the comma is not mandatory.

Example:
Às vezes, eu não consigo dormir cedo.
De vez em quando eu como sobremesa depois do almoço.

Contextual differences and examples

Everyday activities versus special events

Use às vezes for everyday routines that happen occasionally: habits, personal feelings, or recurring but not constant actions.

Examples:
Eu às vezes tomo café à tarde.
Ela às vezes vai ao cinema sozinha.

Use de vez em quando for events that are less predictable or more occasional, such as social outings or treats.

Examples:
Nós de vez em quando comemos pizza no sábado.
Ele de vez em quando recebe visitas.

Emotional and evaluative remarks

When commenting on feelings or moods, às vezes is more common because emotions may recur with some regularity.

Examples:
Às vezes eu me sinto cansado sem motivo.
Às vezes ela fica triste quando está chovendo.

De vez em quando can also be used, but it may sound slightly less natural for certain internal states unless emphasizing unpredictable occurrences.

Example:
Eu de vez em quando tenho insônia. (Possible, but less neutral than às vezes)

Formal versus informal tone

Both expressions are perfectly acceptable in spoken and written Brazilian Portuguese. There is no strong formality distinction: both appear in casual conversation, news articles, and literature. That said, às vezes might be slightly more common in written narratives describing repeated states.

Collocations and common verbs used with each phrase

Some verbs are frequently paired with one phrase or the other because of natural collocation in Brazilian Portuguese. Recognizing these pairings can help learners sound more natural.

Common collocations with às vezes:
sentir, pensar, lembrar, ir, ver, precisar.
Example: Eu às vezes penso em morar no interior.

Common collocations with de vez em quando:
comer, sair, viajar, ligar, aparecer.
Example: De vez em quando eu ligo para minha avó.

Comparative examples with frequency scale

Consider a simple frequency scale: sempre (always), frequentemente (frequently), às vezes (sometimes), de vez em quando (now and then), raramente (rarely), nunca (never).

Examples to illustrate different points on the scale:

Sempre: Eu vou à praia todo verão.
Frequentemente: Eu corro frequentemente no parque.
Às vezes: Eu estudo português às vezes à noite.
De vez em quando: Eu como doces de vez em quando.
Raramente: Eu como peixe raramente.
Nunca: Eu nunca fumo.

Time markers and combining with numbers

Both phrases can be combined with explicit time markers to specify frequency more clearly. In these cases, you might prefer one phrase depending on nuance:

Combinations with às vezes:
Às vezes, uma vez por semana eu vou à academia.
Às vezes, duas vezes por mês nós jantamos fora.

Combinations with de vez em quando:
De vez em quando, eu vou àquele bar na cidade.
De vez em quando, eu trabalho aos domingos.

Note that when you attach a precise frequency (once a week, twice a month) the impression of irregularity decreases; both phrases become more interchangeable because the numeric marker gives concrete rhythm.

Cultural and regional usage notes

In Brazil, regional speech patterns influence which phrases sound more natural, but both are understood nationwide. In casual speech, Brazilians often shorten phrases or change intonation to convey the same meaning. You might hear contractions or elisions, but the standard forms às vezes and de vez em quando are safe for learners.

In spoken interactions, Brazilians use intonation to imply nuance. For example, stressing às vezes can suggest a stronger habitual meaning, while a more relaxed intonation on de vez em quando conveys casual irregularity.

Practical tips for learners

1. If unsure, use às vezes for neutral sometimes. It is the safest choice for many situations involving habits, feelings, or semi-regular activities.

2. Use de vez em quando to emphasize irregularity, unpredictability, or occasional treats and social events.

3. Pay attention to collocations. Learn common verbs and phrases that naturally pair with each expression to sound more native.

4. Listen to Brazilian Portuguese in context — podcasts, TV shows, and conversations — and notice which speakers prefer which phrase. Mimic rhythm and intonation for more natural use.

More example sentences with translations

Examples that highlight differences:

Eu às vezes trabalho até tarde.
I sometimes work late.

Eu trabalho até tarde de vez em quando.
I work late every now and then.

Ela às vezes esquece as chaves em casa.
She sometimes forgets her keys at home.

Ela esquece as chaves em casa de vez em quando.
She forgets her keys from time to time.

Nós às vezes jantamos fora durante a semana.
We sometimes eat out during the week.

Nós comemos fora de vez em quando, quando queremos comemorar.
We eat out every now and then when we want to celebrate.

Common learner mistakes and how to avoid them

Mistake 1: Using both phrases interchangeably in contexts where nuance matters. While often interchangeable, pay attention to whether you want neutral sometimes or the sense of irregular, infrequent events.

Mistake 2: Overusing numeric frequency with both phrases. If you specify exact frequencies, sometimes the phrase is redundant. Either use the numeric frequency or the adverbial phrase, or use both when emphasizing.

Mistake 3: Wrong preposition or article with às vezes. Remember the correct written form includes the contraction às (a + as) with a grave accent: às vezes. Writing as vezes without accent is a spelling mistake.

Short pronunciation notes

Pronunciation tips to sound natural:

– Às vezes: The grave accent on às marks a contraction and indicates tonic stress on the first syllable of às; pronounce as ahs VEH-zehs with a slight reduction on vezes.

– De vez em quando: Pronounce as jee VEHZ em KWAHN-doo, with a nasal quality on quando in many Brazilian accents.

When to prefer one over the other: quick decision guide

– Choose às vezes when referring to recurring states, neutral sometimes, or when you want to convey moderate frequency.

– Choose de vez em quando when you want to stress irregular, unpredictable, or less frequent occurrences.

Conclusion

Both Às vezes and De vez em quando mean sometimes, but they carry different shades of frequency and irregularity. Às vezes is the neutral option for recurring but non-constant actions, while de vez em quando emphasizes irregular or occasional events. Practice by listening to native speakers, paying attention to collocations, and experimenting with both in your speech to develop a natural feel for when each is most appropriate.