Portuguese Phrase
O show começa às oito.
Meaning
The sentence tells the listener that a concert, performance or any kind of show will begin at eight o’clock. In everyday speech ‘às oito’ is understood as 8 p.m. unless the context makes it clear it is morning.
When to use
Use this phrase when you need to give or ask about the start time of an event – concerts, movies, theater plays, TV programs, or any scheduled activity.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Oshowcomeçaàsoito.
Definite article O
‘O’ is the masculine singular definite article, used here before the masculine noun ‘show’.
Verb começar
‘começa’ is the third‑person singular present of ‘começar’ (to start).
Contraction às
‘às’ = a + as, the preposition ‘a’ (at) + the feminine plural article ‘as’; it is the standard way to express exact hours in Portuguese.
Numbers as time
When telling time, the number is used without a noun; ‘oito’ means ‘eight (o’clock)’. The word ‘horas’ can be added for extra formality.
🗨In Conversation
Que horas começa o show?
What time does the show start?
O show começa às oito.
The show starts at eight.
✕Common Mistakes
O show começa a oito.
The preposition ‘a’ must contract with the article to ‘às’ when indicating exact hour.
O show começa às oito horas.
While not wrong, adding ‘horas’ is redundant in casual speech; learners often over‑use it.
O show começa as oito.
Missing the accent changes ‘às’ (at) to ‘as’ (the, feminine plural), which is grammatically incorrect here.
↔Alternatives
O espetáculo inicia às oito.
The performance starts at eight.
O concerto começa às oito horas.
The concert starts at eight o’clock.
O show começa às 8h.
The show starts at 8 a.m./p.m.
Cultural Tip
In Brazil the 24‑hour clock is common in written schedules, but in spoken language people usually say ‘às oito’ and rely on context to know if it’s a.m. or p.m. Also, ‘show’ is an informal loanword; in formal contexts you might hear ‘espetáculo’ or ‘apresentação’. Remember the accent on ‘às’ – without it the meaning changes.