Portuguese Phrase
Minha primeira aula começa às 8h30.
Meaning
The sentence means ‘My first class starts at 8:30.’ It tells the listener the exact time when the speaker’s first lesson of the day (or of a course) begins. The preposition ‘às’ is mandatory before a specific clock time.
When to use
Use this phrase when you are introducing your daily schedule, confirming a meeting time, or letting a teacher or classmate know when you will be in the classroom.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Minhaprimeiraaulacomeçaàs8h30
Minha
Possessive adjective (feminine singular) agreeing with the noun 'aula'.
primeira
Ordinal number meaning 'first', also agrees in gender and number with the noun.
aula
Feminine noun meaning 'class' or 'lesson'.
começa
Third‑person singular present of the verb 'começar' (to start).
às
Contraction of the preposition 'a' + the feminine article 'as', used before clock times.
8h30
Standard 24‑hour notation for '8:30'. In spoken Portuguese it is read as 'oito e meia' or 'oito e trinta'.
🗨In Conversation
Minha primeira aula começa às 8h30.
My first class starts at 8:30.
Ótimo, nos vemos lá!
Great, see you there!
✕Common Mistakes
Minha primeira aula começa a 8h30.
The preposition must be contracted to ‘às’ before a feminine time expression.
Minha primeira aula começa às 8:30.
In Portuguese writing the colon is rarely used for times; use ‘8h30’ or spell it out.
Minha primeira aula começa a às 8h30.
‘Começar’ already includes the meaning of ‘to start’; do not add another preposition before the time.
Minha primeiro aula começa às 8h30.
Because ‘aula’ is feminine, the ordinal must agree: ‘primeira’, not ‘primeiro’.
↔Alternatives
Minha primeira aula tem início às 8h30.
My first class has its start at 8:30.
Minha primeira aula começa às oito e meia.
My first class starts at eight-thirty.
A primeira aula para mim começa às 8h30.
The first class for me starts at 8:30.
Cultural Tip
In Brazil the 24‑hour clock is common in written schedules, especially in schools and workplaces, so ‘8h30’ is the usual way to write eight‑thirty. When speaking, most people say ‘oito e meia’ (literally ‘eight and a half’) or ‘oito e trinta’. The preposition ‘às’ is required before any specific time; omitting it (e.g., ‘começa 8h30’) sounds ungrammatical. Punctuality is valued in academic settings, so stating the exact start time is considered polite and professional.