Portuguese Phrase
São onze e meia.
Meaning
This phrase is the standard way to say it is 11:30 in Portuguese. The verb 'são' is the plural form of 'ser', which is required for all hours except one o'clock, and 'meia' is a feminine adjective meaning 'half', referring to 'meia hora' (half hour).
When to use
Use this phrase in any situation where you need to state the time, whether responding to the question 'Que horas são?' or announcing the time yourself. It is suitable for both casual and professional environments.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Sãoonzeemeia
Verb Ser (São)
The verb 'ser' is used in the plural 'são' because the subject 'onze' represents more than one hour.
Meia
'Meia' is the feminine form of 'half'. It is always feminine in time-telling because it refers to 'a meia hora' (the half hour).
🗨In Conversation
Com licença, você tem horas?
Excuse me, do you have the time?
Sim, são onze e meia.
Yes, it is half past eleven.
✕Common Mistakes
É onze e meia.
In Portuguese, the verb 'ser' must be plural ('são') for any hour from 2 to 12.
São onze e meio.
Use the feminine 'meia' because it modifies the implied feminine noun 'hora' (hour).
↔Alternatives
São onze e trinta.
It is eleven thirty.
Faltam trinta para o meio-dia.
It is thirty minutes until noon.
Cultural Tip
While digital clocks often show 23:30, speakers will almost always say 'onze e meia' in conversation. If you need to specify morning or night, you can add 'da manhã' (in the morning) or 'da noite' (at night) to the end of the phrase.