Portuguese Phrase
Que horas funciona o serviço de quarto?
Meaning
This question asks for the operating hours of the hotel’s room‑service. It’s a polite way to find out when you can order food or other items to be delivered to your room.
When to use
Use it at the front desk, with a concierge, or when speaking directly to hotel staff. It’s appropriate in both formal and casual hotel settings.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Quehorasfuncionaoserviçodequarto?
Que (interrogative)
‘Que’ introduces a question asking for specific information; here it means ‘what’ or ‘which’.
horas (plural noun)
‘horas’ is the plural of ‘hora’; used when asking for a time range rather than a single hour.
funciona (verb)
Third‑person singular present of ‘funcionar’ (to work, to operate). It agrees with the singular subject ‘o serviço de quarto’.
o (definite article)
Definite article that matches the masculine singular noun ‘serviço’.
serviço de quarto (compound noun)
A fixed expression meaning ‘room service’; ‘de’ links the two nouns.
Word order
In Portuguese questions, the interrogative phrase often comes first, followed by the verb and subject.
🗨In Conversation
Que horas funciona o serviço de quarto?
What time does room service operate?
O serviço de quarto funciona das 7h às 22h.
Room service runs from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
✕Common Mistakes
Que hora funciona o serviço de quarto?
‘Hora’ is singular; you need the plural ‘horas’ when asking for a time range.
Quando funciona o serviço de quarto?
‘Quando’ asks for a point in time, not a range of hours; ‘Que horas’ is the natural way to ask for operating hours.
Que horas funciona o serviço de quartos?
‘Quartos’ (plural) changes the meaning to ‘room services’; the correct term is the singular ‘quarto’.
↔Alternatives
Qual é o horário do serviço de quarto?
What is the schedule for room service?
A que horas o serviço de quarto está disponível?
At what time is room service available?
Quando o serviço de quarto funciona?
When does room service work?
Cultural Tip
In most Brazilian hotels, room service is limited to breakfast, lunch, and dinner periods, often ending around 10 p.m. In Portugal, some upscale hotels may offer 24‑hour service, but it’s always good to confirm the exact hours. Using ‘por favor’ before or after the question adds extra politeness, especially with senior staff.