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How to Say ‘Around seven’ in Portuguese

Por volta das sete

poor VOHL-tah dahsh SET

[poor VOHL-tah dahsh SET]

💬 Usage Tip: Hours take das (de + as) because horas "hours" is understood: por volta das nove "around nine".

Phrase Breakdown

Por volta

poor VOHL-tah

Around

'Por volta de' means 'around, approximately' for times. Say 'poor VOL-tuh'.

Example

Chego por volta do meio-dia.

I'll arrive around midday.

Words in this phrase

Por

[poor]

around

In 'por volta de', it means approximately.

Example

Saio por volta das seis.

I leave around six.

volta

[VOHL-tah]

around (approximately)

In 'por volta de', expresses an approximate time.

Example

Jantamos por volta das nove.

We dine around nine.

das sete

dahsh SET

seven o'clock

'Das' is 'de' + 'as', since 'horas' is feminine. The final 'e' in 'sete' is barely heard: 'dush SET'.

Example

Abre às sete.

It opens at seven.

Words in this phrase

das

[dahsh]

at the (feminine plural); used in time expressions meaning “at”

In European Portuguese, “das” = “de + as” and is commonly used before times (hours) to mean “at (a certain time)”.

Example

O comboio parte das 11:50 da estação de Campanhã.

The train departs at 11:50 from Campanhã station.

sete

[SET]

seven

The number 7; 'das sete' refers to seven o'clock.

Example

Chego às sete.

I arrive at seven.

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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