How to use “Segunda-feira” in Portuguese calendar phrases

Introduction

Learning calendar words is one of the fastest ways to make Portuguese useful right away. This article explains how to use Segunda-feira in everyday Brazilian Portuguese calendar phrases. You will learn vocabulary, simple sentence patterns, common mistakes, and useful examples for schedules, invitations, messages, and timetables.

What is Segunda-feira?

Segunda-feira is the Brazilian Portuguese word for Monday. It is composed of segunda meaning second, and feira historically linked to days of the church week. In modern Brazilian usage, it simply refers to the first weekday after Sunday for work and school schedules.

Basic vocabulary to know

Segunda-feira — Monday

terça-feira — Tuesday

quarta-feira — Wednesday

quinta-feira — Thursday

sexta-feira — Friday

sábado — Saturday

domingo — Sunday

hoje — today

amanhã — tomorrow

ontem — yesterday

dia — day

semana — week

próxima — next (feminine)

passada — last (feminine)

How to say dates and days with Segunda-feira

Beginners should learn a few patterns to say when something happens. Use simple structures with Segunda-feira and modifiers like hoje, amanhã, próxima, and passada.

Common sentence patterns

Pattern 1: Hoje é segunda-feira — Today is Monday.

Pattern 2: A reunião é na segunda-feira — The meeting is on Monday. Note: na = em + a, used before feminine nouns like segunda-feira.

Pattern 3: Vamos nos ver na próxima segunda-feira — Let’s meet next Monday.

Pattern 4: Na segunda-feira passada eu trabalhei muito — Last Monday I worked a lot.

Pattern 5: A aula começa segunda-feira às 9h — The class starts Monday at 9:00. Note: In spoken and informal writing, Brazilians often drop the article and say apenas segunda-feira.

Practical examples for beginners

Below are everyday phrases you will hear or use. Each example includes a short explanation in English.

Hoje é segunda-feira.

English: Today is Monday. Use this to confirm the current day.

A reunião é na segunda-feira às 14h.

English: The meeting is on Monday at 2 PM. Use às with a time to say at a specific hour.

Você pode vir na próxima segunda-feira?

English: Can you come next Monday? Use próxima to mean next; remember próxima agrees with the feminine noun segunda-feira.

Minha consulta é segunda-feira de manhã.

English: My appointment is Monday morning. No article is needed in casual speech: second noun phrase often omits na.

Na segunda-feira passada eu fui ao médico.

English: Last Monday I went to the doctor. Use passada to indicate the previous Monday.

Vou viajar na segunda.

English: I’m traveling on Monday. In informal speech, Brazilians often shorten segunda-feira to segunda.

O mercado abre às 8h na segunda-feira.

English: The market opens at 8 AM on Mondays. Use plural sense for regular schedules: see next section.

Using Segunda-feira for regular schedules

When talking about routines or schedules, Brazilians often use the plural form of weekdays or drop feira. Learn these constructions:

Uso plural weekdays for routines: às segundas, às terças.

Example: Eu trabalho às segundas.

English: I work on Mondays. This expresses a recurring weekly routine.

Or use: Eu trabalho toda segunda-feira.

English: I work every Monday. Use toda + singular to emphasize every single Monday.

For timetables and public signs: Aberto às segundas.

English: Open on Mondays. You will see this on store windows or websites for business hours.

Politeness and scheduling phrases

When making plans by message or email, pair segunda-feira with polite scheduling phrases. These are useful for beginners dealing with classmates, coworkers, or service providers.

Pode ser na segunda-feira?

English: Can it be on Monday? A casual way to propose Monday as an option.

Prefiro na próxima segunda-feira, se possível.

English: I prefer next Monday, if possible. Use polite tone for appointments.

Você está disponível na segunda-feira de tarde?

English: Are you available Monday afternoon? Specify part of the day: de manhã, de tarde, de noite.

Common beginner mistakes and how to avoid them

Mistake 1: Using masculine articles. Wrong: na o segunda-feira. Correct: na segunda-feira. Remember feira is feminine so use a or na.

Mistake 2: Forgetting agreement with adjectives. Wrong: próxima segunda-feira (correct in speech), but adjective agreement is needed when explicit: próxima segunda-feira is correct because próxima matches feminine noun.

Mistake 3: Overusing English patterns. Wrong: Monday eu trabalho. Better: Eu trabalho na segunda-feira or Eu trabalho às segundas. Portuguese often uses prepositions where English might not.

Mistake 4: Confusing singular/plural for routines. Wrong: Eu trabalho na segundas. Correct: Eu trabalho às segundas or Eu trabalho toda segunda-feira.

Short dialogues and messages you might encounter

Practice reading short, realistic messages. These are typical for WhatsApp or email scheduling.

Mensagem 1

Bom dia! Podemos marcar a reunião na segunda-feira às 10h?

English: Good morning! Can we schedule the meeting on Monday at 10 AM?

Mensagem 2

Sim, a próxima segunda-feira funciona para mim.

English: Yes, next Monday works for me.

Mensagem 3

Você prefere segunda ou terça?

English: Do you prefer Monday or Tuesday? Informal, short form uses segunda and terça.

Mensagem 4

O consultório está fechado às segundas.

English: The clinic is closed on Mondays. Useful to understand signs and business hours.

Tips to remember Segunda-feira easily

Tip 1: Associate segunda with second — it is the second day after domingo in the weekday sequence used in calendars.

Tip 2: Use the short form segunda in conversation, but learn the full form segunda-feira for formal writing and signs.

Tip 3: Practice with times and parts of day: de manhã, de tarde, de noite. Example: Segunda-feira de manhã às 9h.

Tip 4: Remember feminine grammar: use na, a, próxima, passada to match segunda-feira.

Mini practice exercises

Exercise 1: Translate to Portuguese: The class is on Monday at 7 PM.

Suggested answer: A aula é na segunda-feira às 19h.

Exercise 2: Write a short message asking to meet next Monday afternoon.

Suggested answer: Podemos nos encontrar na próxima segunda-feira à tarde?

Exercise 3: Read a sign: Aberto às segundas. What does it mean?

English: Open on Mondays. This indicates a recurring opening day.

Useful mini-glossary

na — in/on the (feminine)

às — at (plural hours or at specific times with plural article)

de manhã — in the morning

de tarde — in the afternoon

de noite — at night/evening

próxima — next (feminine)

passada — last (feminine)

Conclusion

Mastering Segunda-feira opens up practical Brazilian Portuguese use for schedules, messages, and everyday conversation. Remember the feminine agreement, practice common sentence patterns, and learn both the full form segunda-feira and the informal short form segunda. Use the examples and exercises here to build confidence for real situations like appointments, timetables, and invitations.