Portuguese Phrase
Você trabalha nos fins de semana?
Meaning
This is a direct question used to ask someone about their recurring work schedule during the weekend. It utilizes the present tense to inquire about habits or general routines rather than a specific upcoming event.
When to use
Use this phrase when getting to know someone's lifestyle or when trying to schedule a social gathering on a Saturday or Sunday. It is polite and suitable for both casual and professional settings.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Vocêtrabalhanosfins de semana
Você trabalha
The verb 'trabalhar' is conjugated in the third-person singular to agree with 'você', which is the standard way to say 'you' in Brazil.
Nos
This is a contraction of 'em' (on) and 'os' (the), used here because 'fins de semana' is a plural masculine noun.
🗨In Conversation
Você trabalha nos fins de semana?
Do you work on weekends?
Não, eu geralmente tenho folga e vou à praia.
No, I usually have time off and go to the beach.
✕Common Mistakes
Você trabalhar nos fins de semana?
The infinitive form 'trabalhar' should be conjugated to 'trabalha' to match the subject 'você'.
Você trabalha em fins de semana?
While 'em' is sometimes used, 'nos' (the contraction of 'em' + 'os') is more natural when referring to the weekend as a specific recurring period.
↔Alternatives
Você trabalha aos sábados e domingos?
Do you work on Saturdays and Sundays?
Você tem folga no fim de semana?
Do you have the weekend off?
Cultural Tip
In Brazil, the weekend is a sacred time for family and 'churrascos' (barbecues). Asking about someone's weekend work schedule is a common way to see if they are available for social activities, as many retail and service workers in Brazil do work on Saturdays.