Portuguese Phrase
Normalmente chego em casa por volta das 6 da tarde.
Meaning
I usually get home around six in the evening. The sentence conveys a regular habit and an approximate time of arrival.
When to use
Use this phrase when talking about your daily routine, especially when describing the typical time you return home after work, school, or other activities.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Normalmentechegoemcasapor voltadas6datarde
Normalmente (adverb)
Indicates a habitual or usual frequency, similar to 'usually' in English.
chego (verb)
First‑person singular present of ‘chegar’ (to arrive). Regular -ar verb.
em casa (prepositional phrase)
‘em’ + noun indicates location; ‘casa’ means ‘home’.
por volta de (approximate time)
Literally ‘around’, used to give an approximate time. Followed by a definite article.
das 6 da tarde (time expression)
Combines the plural article ‘das’ (de + as) with the hour and the period of the day.
🗨In Conversation
A que horas você costuma chegar em casa?
What time do you usually get home?
Normalmente chego em casa por volta das 6 da tarde.
I usually get home around six in the evening.
✕Common Mistakes
Normalmente chego em casa por volta de 6 da tarde.
The article ‘das’ is required before the hour when using ‘por volta de’.
Normalmente chego em casa às 6 da tarde.
‘às 6 da tarde’ is correct for an exact time, but it changes the meaning from ‘around 6’ to ‘at 6’.
Normalmente chego em casa por volta das 6 da tarde.
When the hour is written in numerals, keep it as ‘6’; spelling it out as ‘seis’ is acceptable but must agree with the article: ‘das seis da tarde’. Mixing numeral and word is inconsistent.
↔Alternatives
Geralmente chego em casa por volta das 6 da tarde.
I generally get home around six in the evening.
Costumo chegar em casa por volta das 6 da tarde.
I tend to arrive home around six in the evening.
Normalmente estou em casa por volta das 6 da tarde.
I'm normally at home around six in the evening.
Cultural Tip
In Brazil, ‘tarde’ starts at noon and lasts until sunset. Saying ‘6 da tarde’ is common in most regions, but in the far south people may refer to it as ‘6 da noite’ once it gets dark. Using ‘por volta de’ signals an approximate time, which is typical in casual conversation.