Portuguese Phrase
Qual é a data de hoje?
Meaning
This phrase is the standard way to ask for the current date in Portuguese. It literally translates to 'Which is the date of today?' and is used to identify the specific day, month, and year.
When to use
Use this phrase when you are filling out a document, setting an appointment, or simply need to know the calendar date. It is appropriate for both formal and informal situations.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Qualéa datade hoje
Qual
This interrogative pronoun is used here because you are selecting one specific date out of many possibilities.
De hoje
This is a prepositional phrase combining 'de' (of) and 'hoje' (today) to function as 'today's' in English.
🗨In Conversation
Qual é a data de hoje?
What is today's date?
Hoje é dia quinze de maio.
Today is May 15th.
✕Common Mistakes
O que é a data de hoje?
In Portuguese, use 'Qual' (which) instead of 'O que' (what) when asking for specific information like a date or a name.
Qual é data de hoje?
The definite article 'a' is required before 'data' to specify 'the' date.
↔Alternatives
Que dia é hoje?
What day is today?
A que dia estamos?
What day is it? (Literally: At what day are we?)
Cultural Tip
In Portuguese-speaking countries, dates are formatted as Day/Month/Year. When responding, it is common to say 'Hoje é dia...' followed by the number, but remember that the first of the month is usually referred to as 'dia primeiro' rather than 'dia um'.