Portuguese Phrase
São duas e vinte.
Meaning
It means 'It is twenty past two.' The structure literally translates to 'It is two and twenty,' where the hour (duas) is followed by the minutes (vinte). In Portuguese the verb 'ser' is conjugated in the plural because the hour is plural.
When to use
Use this phrase when you need to tell the exact time in a formal or semi‑formal setting, such as on the radio, in a classroom, or when giving a schedule. In everyday conversation many speakers will add 'da manhã', 'da tarde' or 'da noite' to clarify AM/PM.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Sãoduasevinte
Verb agreement (São)
Use the plural form 'São' with hours greater than one; 'É' is only for singular hour (e.g., 'É uma hora').
Cardinal numbers for minutes
Minutes are expressed with cardinal numbers (vinte = 20) and can be omitted after 'e' if context is clear.
Omission of 'minutos'
In spoken Portuguese the word 'minutos' is often dropped; 'São duas e vinte' is understood as 'twenty minutes past two'.
🗨In Conversation
São duas e vinte.
It’s twenty past two.
Obrigado, já sabia.
Thanks, I already knew.
✕Common Mistakes
É duas e vinte.
Use 'São' for plural hours; 'É' is only for singular hour (e.g., 'É uma hora').
São duas e vinte horas.
Adding 'horas' after the minutes is redundant; the hour is already expressed by the verb and the number.
São duas e vinte minutos da noite.
If you specify 'da noite', you should also specify AM/PM; otherwise it can be ambiguous.
↔Alternatives
São duas e vinte minutos.
It is twenty minutes past two.
São duas e vinte da tarde.
It is twenty past two in the afternoon.
São duas e vinte da manhã.
It is twenty past two in the morning.
Cultural Tip
In Brazil the 24‑hour clock is common for timetables, but people usually speak in the 12‑hour format and add 'da manhã', 'da tarde' or 'da noite' to avoid confusion. Saying 'São duas e vinte' without the period is perfectly acceptable in most contexts, but in formal announcements you’ll often hear the full 'São duas e vinte minutos'.