Using Portuguese Prepositions ‘A’ and ‘Em’ with Time: Routine vs. One-Off Events

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Portuguese prepositions can take on different roles depending on the context. For example, “a” is primarily a preposition of movement, while “em” is predominantly a preposition of place. However, both can also function as prepositions of time.

In this article, we explore the use of “a” and “em” as time prepositions, focusing on situations where choosing one or the other can indicate whether we are referring to routine or one-off events. Read on.

24le105 a (routine event) vs em (one-off event) - Portuguesepedia

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Demonstrative Pronouns and Determiners

A – Routine Events

We use “a” to refer to routine events, especially when mentioning days of the week:

Às terças-feiras tenho aula de Português.
On Tuesdays, I have Portuguese class.

Aos sábados costumo jogar bilhar com o Paulo.
On Saturdays, I usually play pool with Paulo.

Notice “a” contracting with the articles:

a + as terças-feiras = às terças-feiras
a + os sábados = aos sábados

Em – One-off Events

We use “em” to refer to routine events when mentioning days of the week:

Na terça-feira tenho aula de Português.
This Tuesday I have a Portuguese class.

No sábado vou jogar bilhar com o Paulo.
This Saturday, I’m going to play pool with Paulo.

We also use “em” when mentioning dates, holidays, months, or seasons:

No dia 15 de março tenho uma consulta no dermatologista.
I have a dermatologist’s appointment on March 15th.

Vou à Nicarágua no Natal.
I’m going to Nicaragua for Christmas.

A Rita vem a Portugal em fevereiro.
Rita is coming to Portugal in February.

No Verão a Ana está a planear ir passar uma semana ao Algarve.
This summer Ana is planning to spend a week in the Algarve.

Notice that in the examples above, apart from when we are directly referring to months, “em” contracts with the articles:

em + a terças-feira = na terça-feira
em + o dia 15 = no dia 15

Finally, for the most part we can replace “em” with the demonstratives este(s)/esta(s):

Na terça-feira tenho aula de Português.
=
Esta terça-feira tenho aula de Português.

Vou à Nicarágua no Natal.
=
Vou à Nicarágua este Natal.

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