Portuguese Phrase
Que tal às 18h?
Meaning
This phrase is a common way to suggest a specific time for a meeting or social event. 'Que tal' functions as 'How about' or 'What if,' while 'às 18h' specifies the time using the 24-hour clock format standard in Portuguese-speaking countries.
When to use
Use this when coordinating plans with friends, colleagues, or acquaintances. It is casual yet polite and works perfectly in both text messages and spoken conversation.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Que talàs18h
Que tal
A fixed idiomatic expression used to make suggestions, equivalent to 'How about' or 'What if' in English.
Crasis (às)
This is the contraction of the preposition 'a' and the feminine plural article 'as'. It is mandatory before specific hours.
24-Hour Format
Portuguese speakers typically use 13h-23h for afternoon and evening times in digital and written communication.
🗨In Conversation
Quer tomar um café hoje?
Want to grab a coffee today?
Claro! Que tal às 18h?
Sure! How about at 6 PM?
✕Common Mistakes
Que tal as 18h?
Always use the grave accent (às) when referring to specific hours to indicate the contraction of the preposition and the article.
Que tal em 18h?
Avoid using 'em' for specific clock times; 'às' is the correct preposition for points in time.
↔Alternatives
Pode ser às 18h?
Can it be at 6 PM?
O que você acha das 18h?
What do you think of 6 PM?
Cultural Tip
In Brazil and Portugal, the 24-hour clock is the standard for written schedules and invitations. While people often say 'seis da tarde' in casual conversation, using '18h' in writing is professional and prevents any AM/PM confusion.