How to say “What time does the movie start?” in Portuguese

Introduction

Learning how to ask about movie times is a practical, everyday skill for beginners in Brazilian Portuguese. This article explains the phrase, related vocabulary, common replies, polite variations, and short dialogues you can use at the cinema, on the phone, or in chat. Follow clear examples and tips to feel confident asking what time a movie starts in Brazil.

Key phrase: How to ask What time does the movie start?

The most direct way to ask What time does the movie start? in Brazilian Portuguese is Que horas começa o filme?. This phrase is natural, polite, and widely used by native speakers. Below we break down the grammar and offer simple alternatives.

Phrase breakdown

Que means what or which. Horas means hours or o’clock. Together Que horas means what time. Começa is the third-person singular of começar, to start. O filme is the movie. So Que horas começa o filme? literally asks What time does the movie start?

Common variations and when to use them

Different situations call for slight changes. Here are common alternatives you will hear in Brazil.

Que horas começa a sessão? – Use this when referring to a movie showing or session at a cinema. Sessão means screening or session.

Que horas passa o filme? – Less formal; passa comes from passar (to show). People often use it when talking about TV or cinema programming.

Qual é o horário do filme? – Formal and useful for reading schedules. Horário means schedule or time.

Quando começa o filme? – When does the movie start? Slightly more general, good if you want a date and time.

Essential vocabulary for movie times

Hora – hour, time (singular). Example: Que horas são? means What time is it?

Sessão – screening / session. Example: A sessão das 18h está cheia.

Horário – schedule / timetable. Example: Qual é o horário do filme?

Ingresso – ticket. Example: Onde eu compro ingresso?

Bilheteria – box office / ticket counter. Example: Vou na bilheteria buscar os ingressos.

Meia-entrada – half-price ticket (students, seniors). Example: Posso comprar meia-entrada?

Sala – auditorium / theater room. Example: O filme é na sala 4.

Dublado – dubbed. Example: O filme é dublado ou legendado?

Legendado – subtitled. Example: Prefiro filme legendado.

Simple polite phrases to use at the cinema

Com licença – excuse me. Use it to get attention. Example: Com licença, que horas começa a sessão?

Por favor – please. Example: Você pode me dizer o horário, por favor?

Obrigado / Obrigada – thank you (male speaker uses obrigado, female uses obrigada). Example: Obrigado, era isso que eu precisava saber.

Common answers you might hear

The staff or another person may reply in several ways. Here are realistic responses with translations explained in English.

Começa às 19h30. – It starts at 7:30 PM. In Brazil, the 24-hour clock is common for schedules. The preposition às is used before specific times.

A próxima sessão é às 21h. – The next screening is at 9 PM.

Tem sessão às 16h e às 18h. – There is a screening at 4 PM and at 6 PM.

Está começando agora. – It’s starting now. Useful if you arrive right at showtime.

Acabou de começar. – It just started. If you are a bit late this is what you’ll hear.

Practical short dialogues for beginners

These short dialogues are realistic and beginner-friendly. Use them in person, on the phone, or in chat.

At the cinema counter
Pessoa A: Com licença, que horas começa o filme?
Pessoa B: Começa às 20h30.
Pessoa A: Ótimo, obrigada.

On the phone asking a friend
Pessoa A: Oi, você sabe que horas começa o filme hoje?
Pessoa B: Sim, começa às 19h. Quer ir às 18h30?

Checking a schedule at a kiosk
Pessoa A: Qual é o horário do filme Aventura no Mar?
Pessoa B: A sessão é às 15h e às 18h30.

How to say specific times

Learning common ways to state time helps you both ask and understand replies. Here are examples with English equivalents.

Às 14h – at 2 PM. Use às before times.

Às 14h30 – at 2:30 PM. In speech, people often say duas e meia for 2:30.

Às 9h – at 9 AM or 9 PM depending on context. If needed, specify manhã (morning), tarde (afternoon), or noite (night): às 9 da noite.

Duas e quinze – 2:15. Brazilians commonly use informal spoken forms for minutes after the hour.

Polite follow-up questions and useful phrases

After you learn the main question, add these to make your conversation more natural or specific.

Quanto custa o ingresso? – How much is the ticket? Useful after asking the time.

Onde é a sala? – Which room is it in? Useful to find the right auditorium.

Tem lugar marcado? – Are seats assigned? Many cinemas have assigned seating.

É dublado ou legendado? – Is it dubbed or subtitled? Important if you prefer original audio or subtitles.

Beginner tips and common mistakes

Tip 1: Use às before specific times. Saying às 18h is correct; 18h without às can sound abrupt in full sentences.

Tip 2: Remember gender for o filme. Filme is masculine, so use o (the). Say o filme, not a filme.

Tip 3: Use sessão for cinema showings. Saying sessão sounds natural when talking about a movie schedule.

Common mistake: Mixing English word order. In Portuguese say Que horas começa o filme? not Que horas o filme começa? Both are understandable, but the first is more common.

Common mistake: Forgetting to change obrigado/obrigada. Male speakers say obrigado, female speakers say obrigada when thanking someone.

Realistic examples you might see or hear

Example 1, poster or website schedule:
O filme estreia sexta-feira. Sessões: 14h, 16h30, 19h.

Example 2, ticket counter sign:
Bilheteria: vendas a partir das 10h. Meia-entrada disponível.

Example 3, message from a friend:
Vamos ver o filme às 20h? Encontramos na frente do cinema às 19h45.

Quick cultural note on cinema in Brazil

Cinemas in Brazil often use the 24-hour clock for schedules and offer multiple sessions per day. Many people buy tickets online, but asking at the bilheteria or using the phrase Que horas começa a sessão? remains useful. Always check if the showing is dublado or legendado if you care about language.

Conclusion

Asking What time does the movie start? in Brazilian Portuguese is easy once you learn the key phrase Que horas começa o filme? and a few useful variations like Que horas começa a sessão? Practice the simple dialogues, memorize common vocabulary such as sessão, horário, and ingresso, and listen for answers like Começa às 20h. With these beginner-friendly tools you can confidently find showtimes and enjoy a movie in Brazil.