Portuguese Phrase
Que dia é hoje?
Meaning
Literally 'What day is today?', this question is used to ask for the day of the week (Monday, Tuesday, etc.) on the current date.
When to use
Use it in everyday conversation when you need to know the current day, for example before making plans, confirming a meeting, or simply out of curiosity.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Quediaéhoje?
Que (interrogative pronoun)
Used to ask 'what' or 'which' in questions.
dia (noun)
Means 'day' and is masculine; it can refer to the day of the week or a calendar day.
é (verb ser)
Third‑person singular present of 'ser', used for permanent or defining statements, including dates.
hoje (adverb)
Means 'today' and is placed after the verb in most Portuguese questions.
🗨In Conversation
Que dia é hoje?
What day is today?
É quarta‑feira.
It's Wednesday.
✕Common Mistakes
Que dia está hoje?
Use 'ser' (é) for dates; 'estar' is for temporary states.
Hoje é que dia?
Word order should be 'Que dia é hoje?' for a natural question.
↔Alternatives
Qual é o dia de hoje?
What is today's day?
Que dia estamos?
What day are we on?
Qual dia é hoje?
Which day is today?
Cultural Tip
In Brazil people often ask this question in a relaxed, informal tone. It’s common to follow up with a quick plan (e.g., 'Vamos ao cinema hoje?') once the day is known. Avoid using 'estar' (e.g., *Que dia está hoje?) because dates are considered permanent facts, not temporary states.