Portuguese Phrase
Tens as horas?
Meaning
This is a common idiomatic way to ask for the current time in Portuguese. While it literally translates to 'Do you have the hours?', it functions exactly like 'What time is it?' in English.
When to use
Use this phrase in casual situations with people you know well or in informal environments. It is the standard way to ask a friend or colleague for the time.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Tensashoras
Ter (tens)
The verb 'ter' means 'to have', and 'tens' is the informal second-person singular form (tu).
Plurality
Unlike English, Portuguese refers to 'the hours' (as horas) in the plural when asking for the general time.
🗨In Conversation
Tens as horas?
Do you have the time?
São quase três horas.
It is almost three o'clock.
✕Common Mistakes
Tens a hora?
In Portuguese, we almost always use the plural 'as horas' when asking for the time.
Tem as horas?
While 'Tem' is correct for the 'você' form, 'Tens' is the specific 'tu' form used in informal European Portuguese.
↔Alternatives
Que horas são?
What time is it?
Pode dizer-me as horas?
Could you tell me the time?
Cultural Tip
In Portugal, addressing someone with 'tu' implies a level of familiarity. If you are asking a stranger on the street, it is safer to use the more formal 'O senhor tem as horas?' or 'A senhora tem as horas?' to be polite.