Portuguese Phrase
Tem horário de ônibus noturno?
Meaning
This question asks whether a night‑time bus runs on a regular schedule, i.e., if there is a timetable for a night bus service. It’s a practical way to find out if you can rely on public transport after dark.
When to use
Use this phrase when you’re traveling in a Brazilian city, staying at a hotel, or asking a local resident whether the city’s bus system operates after sunset. It works both in formal settings (e.g., at a bus station desk) and informal conversations (e.g., with a neighbor).
✦Grammar Breakdown
Temhoráriodeônibusnoturno?
Tem (existence)
‘Tem’ is the third‑person singular of ‘ter’ and is commonly used to ask if something exists, similar to ‘há’.
horário (schedule)
‘horário’ means ‘schedule’ or ‘timetable’; it is a masculine noun that takes the article ‘o’ when used alone.
de (preposition)
The preposition ‘de’ links ‘horário’ with what the schedule is for – here, the bus.
ônibus (bus)
‘ônibus’ is a masculine noun meaning ‘bus’; it stays the same in singular and plural.
noturno (adjective)
‘noturno’ means ‘night‑time’; placed after the noun it modifies, it works like ‘night’ in English.
🗨In Conversation
Tem horário de ônibus noturno?
Is there a night‑bus schedule?
Sim, o último ônibus sai às 23h30 e o próximo começa às 00h15.
Yes, the last bus leaves at 11:30 pm and the next one starts at 12:15 am.
✕Common Mistakes
Há horário de ônibus noturno?
‘Há’ is correct for existence, but native speakers usually prefer ‘Tem’ in casual questions about schedules.
Tem horário do ônibus noturno?
The preposition should be ‘de’, not ‘do’, because you’re asking about the schedule *of* the bus, not the bus *of* the schedule.
Tem horário de ônibus noturna?
‘Noturna’ is the feminine form; the noun ‘ônibus’ is masculine, so the adjective must stay masculine – ‘noturno’.
↔Alternatives
Existe ônibus noturno?
Is there a night bus?
Qual é o horário do ônibus noturno?
What is the night‑bus schedule?
Os ônibus circulam à noite?
Do the buses run at night?
Cultural Tip
In Brazil, night bus services (often called ‘ônibus noturnos’ or ‘linhas noturnas’) vary widely by city. Metropolises like São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro have dedicated night lines that run every 30‑60 minutes, while smaller towns may only have a few late‑night trips. When asking, it’s polite to start with ‘Com licença’ or ‘Desculpe’ and, if you need exact times, ask for the word ‘horário’ rather than just ‘ônibus’. Also, note that in some regions the word ‘carruagem’ is still used colloquially for a bus, especially in the Northeast.