How to Say ‘The first of May’ in Portuguese
O primeiro de maio
oo pree-MAY-roo duh MY-oo
[oo pree-MAY-roo duh MY-oo]
🇵🇹 In Portugal: o primeiro de maio is Labour Day, a public holiday in Portugal. Expect shops and services to be closed or on reduced hours.
Phrase Breakdown
O primeiro
oo pree-MAY-roo
The first
For the first day of a month, Portuguese often uses 'primeiro' (first) instead of 'um'. Say it 'oo pree-MAY-roo'.
O primeiro dia do ano.
The first day of the year.
Words in this phrase
O
[oo]
the (masculine singular)
Article used before a masculine singular noun; often unstressed in speech.
O bilhete é mais barato se comprares com antecedência.
The ticket is cheaper if you buy in advance.
primeiro
[pree-MAY-roo]
first
Indicates that something happened before anything else.
Em "Veio primeiro", "primeiro" dá a ideia de ordem natural e imediata.
In "Veio primeiro," "first" gives the idea of a natural and immediate order.
de maio
duh MY-oo
of May
Months follow 'de'. 'Maio' sounds like 'MY-oo'. The first of May is Labour Day, a public holiday in Portugal.
Faço anos em maio.
My birthday is in May.
Words in this phrase
de
[duh]
of
A preposition meaning "of" or "for," depending on context.
Falámos de carreira durante o intervalo.
We talked about career matters during the break.
maio
[MY-oo]
May
The fifth month of the year.
Faço anos em maio.
My birthday is in May.
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