Portuguese Phrase
Você pode me dizer as horas?
Meaning
This is a polite and direct way to ask someone for the current time in Portuguese. It combines the verb 'poder' (to be able to) with 'dizer' (to tell or say) to create a respectful request. It is widely understood across all Portuguese-speaking regions.
When to use
Use this phrase when you are in a public place and need to ask a stranger or acquaintance for the time. It is suitable for both casual and semi-formal contexts, such as at a bus stop or in an office.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Vocêpodeme dizeras horas
Poder (pode)
This is the third-person singular conjugation of 'poder', used with 'você' to form a polite request.
As horas
In Portuguese, the time is referred to in the plural ('the hours'), which is why we use 'as' instead of a singular article.
🗨In Conversation
Com licença, você pode me dizer as horas?
Excuse me, can you tell me the time?
Claro, são duas e meia.
Sure, it is two thirty.
✕Common Mistakes
Você pode me falar as horas?
While 'falar' means 'to speak', 'dizer' is the standard verb used for 'telling' information like the time.
Você pode me diz as horas?
After the auxiliary verb 'pode', the following verb must be in the infinitive form 'dizer'.
↔Alternatives
Que horas são?
What time is it?
Poderia me informar as horas?
Could you inform me of the time?
Cultural Tip
In many Portuguese-speaking cultures, it is considered polite to start this request with 'Com licença' (Excuse me). Brazilians, in particular, are very helpful and may often show you their watch or phone screen while answering.