Portuguese Phrase
A que horas a piscina funciona?
Meaning
This question asks for the specific times when the swimming pool is open or operational. It is a polite way to inquire about the pool’s schedule, whether at a hotel, gym, or public facility.
When to use
Use this phrase when you need to know the opening hours of a pool—e.g., at a hotel reception, a community center, or a fitness club. It works both in formal and informal contexts, as long as you keep a courteous tone.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Aquehorasapiscinafunciona?
A que horas
A fixed interrogative phrase meaning 'at what time'. It combines the preposition 'a' (at) with the question word 'que horas' (what hours).
Definite article 'a'
The article 'a' before 'piscina' agrees in gender (feminine) and number (singular) with the noun.
Verb 'funcionar'
Third‑person singular present indicative of 'funcionar' (to operate, to work). Used here to ask about the pool's schedule.
Question mark placement
In Portuguese, the opening question mark (¿) is not used; only the closing '?' is required.
🗨In Conversation
A que horas a piscina funciona?
At what time does the pool operate?
A piscina abre das 8h às 20h nos dias de semana e das 9h às 18h nos fins de semana.
The pool is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays and from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends.
✕Common Mistakes
Quando a piscina funciona?
While "quando" also means "when", native speakers prefer "a que horas" for asking about specific times.
A que horas a piscina funcionar?
Do not use the infinitive "funcionar"; you need the conjugated form "funciona" for a statement about the pool.
A que horas piscina funciona?
Dropping the article changes the meaning; "piscina" alone sounds incomplete in this context.
↔Alternatives
Qual é o horário de funcionamento da piscina?
What are the pool’s opening hours?
Quando a piscina está aberta?
When is the pool open?
A piscina funciona das…?
Does the pool operate from…?
Cultural Tip
In Brazil and Portugal, many public pools have specific time slots for families, adults, and swim lessons. It’s common to ask the staff politely and to respect the posted schedule, especially during peak summer months when pools can be crowded. Using "por favor" before the question adds extra courtesy: "Por favor, a que horas a piscina funciona?"