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Portuguese Phrase

Pra quando é essa tarefa?

/pɾa ˈkwɐ̃.du ˈɛ ˈe.sɐ taˈɾe.fɐ/

Meaning"When is this task due?"

💡

Meaning

Literally, “For when is this task?” It is the informal way to ask about the deadline or due date of a specific assignment.

🎯

When to use

Use this phrase in casual conversation with classmates, coworkers, or friends when you need to know when a piece of work must be turned in. It sounds natural in spoken Brazilian Portuguese but would be too informal for a formal email.

✦Grammar Breakdown

Praquandoéessatarefa?

1

Pra (para)

‘Pra’ is the colloquial contraction of ‘para’. It is common in spoken Brazilian Portuguese and informal writing.

2

quando

Interrogative adverb meaning ‘when’. It does not change form for gender or number.

3

é (ser)

Third‑person singular present of the verb ‘ser’, used here to ask about a fixed point in time (the deadline).

4

essa

Demonstrative adjective that agrees in gender and number with the noun ‘tarefa’ (feminine singular).

5

tarefa

Feminine noun meaning ‘task’ or ‘assignment’.

🗨In Conversation

A

Pra quando é essa tarefa?

When is this task due?

É para sexta‑feira, às 23h59.

It’s due on Friday, by 11:59 p.m.

B

✕Common Mistakes

Para quando é essa tarefa?
In informal speech ‘pra’ is preferred; using ‘para’ sounds overly formal in this context.
Pra quando é tarefa?
If the task has already been mentioned, you can drop the demonstrative: ‘Pra quando é a tarefa?’
Pra quando está essa tarefa?
Do not use ‘está’ here; ‘ser’ is used for fixed dates, while ‘estar’ is for temporary states.

↔Alternatives

Qual é a data de entrega desta tarefa?
What is the delivery date of this assignment?
Quando devemos entregar essa tarefa?
When should we hand in this task?
Pra que dia é essa tarefa?
For which day is this task?

Cultural Tip

In Brazil, deadlines are often expressed with a specific day and sometimes a time (e.g., ‘até sexta‑feira’). Even in informal settings, it’s polite to confirm the exact date, because many people treat deadlines flexibly. Using ‘pra’ signals a relaxed tone, so reserve it for peers rather than a professor or a boss unless you know they are comfortable with informal speech.