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How to Say ‘Yesterday’ in Portuguese

Ontem

on-tem

[on-tem]

💬 Usage Tip: The final em is nasal, with no real m sound: roughly (OHN-tayng). também "also" ends the same way.

Phrase Breakdown

Ontem

[on-tem]

Yesterday

Refers to the day before today.

Example

Ontem eu fui ao cinema.

Yesterday I went to the cinema.

Guides for Portuguese learners

The Portuguese You Actually Need in Your First Month in PortugalThe European Portuguese phrases for your first weeks in Portugal: paperwork, renting a flat, the bank, the health centre, cafés, trains and your new neighbours.

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