Portuguese Phrase
São dez.
Meaning
This phrase is the standard way to state that the current time is ten o'clock in Portuguese. Because numbers higher than one are plural, the verb 'ser' must be conjugated in the plural form 'são'. It is a concise and essential sentence for daily navigation and scheduling.
When to use
Use this phrase to answer the question 'Que horas são?' (What time is it?) when the clock strikes 10:00. It is appropriate for both morning and evening contexts unless further clarification like 'da manhã' or 'da noite' is needed.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Sãodez
Verbo Ser (São)
The verb 'ser' is used to express time. It must agree with the number of hours, so 'são' is used for any hour greater than one.
Cardinal Numbers
'Dez' is the number ten. In time-telling, it functions as the noun indicating the specific hour of the day.
🗨In Conversation
Que horas são, por favor?
What time is it, please?
São dez.
It is ten.
✕Common Mistakes
É dez.
Always use the plural 'são' for hours from 2 to 12; 'é' is only used for 1:00.
São as dez.
While grammatically possible in some contexts, it is more natural to omit the article 'as' when simply stating the time.
↔Alternatives
São dez horas.
It is ten hours.
São dez em ponto.
It is ten o'clock sharp.
Cultural Tip
In Portuguese-speaking countries, time is often discussed using the 12-hour clock in casual conversation, but the 24-hour clock is common for official events and transportation. If you want to be specific about the time of day, add 'da manhã' for AM or 'da noite' for PM.