Antes, Depois, and Enquanto: Portuguese Time Connectors
Connect two actions in order or describe what happens at the same time with simple Portuguese patterns.
Real Life Portuguese · 7 min read · Updated October 14, 2026
The short answer
Use antes de or depois de before a noun: antes do almoço (before lunch), depois da aula (after class). Before an infinitive, keep de: antes de sair (before leaving), depois de estudar (after studying).
Use antes de and depois de before a noun or infinitive
The de contracts with a definite article when one follows: de + o becomes do, and de + a becomes da.
Vou caminhar antes do trabalho.
I’m going to walk before work.
Depois de jantar, a gente conversa.
After dinner, we’ll talk.
Lave as mãos antes de cozinhar.
Wash your hands before cooking.
Use depois que before a complete action
Use depois que when the next part contains a subject and a conjugated verb. The phrase links one completed event to what happens next.
The same idea can be expressed with depois de plus an infinitive when the subject is understood from context. Choose a complete sentence while you are learning the distinction.
Depois que eu chegar, vou te ligar.
After I arrive, I’ll call you.
Depois que a reunião terminar, podemos sair.
After the meeting ends, we can leave.
A gente vai comer depois que vocês chegarem.
We’ll eat after you all arrive.
Use enquanto for actions happening at the same time
Enquanto means while or as long as in many time contexts. Use it to connect actions that happen simultaneously or overlap.
For ongoing actions, our estar plus gerund guide explains forms such as estou lendo and está cozinhando.
Eu ouvi música enquanto cozinhava.
I listened to music while I was cooking.
Pode esperar aqui enquanto eu procuro o endereço?
Can you wait here while I look for the address?
Enquanto você estuda, eu preparo o café.
While you study, I’ll make the coffee.
Put it into practice
Describe a routine with one action before another, one after it, and two actions happening while something else takes place.
Quick practice
Which Portuguese example matches “After I arrive, I’ll call you”?
Choose an answer to check yourself.
Keep practicing with the Real Life Portuguese app
Build on this guide with everyday expressions and native Brazilian audio. Choose iPhone, Android, or the web app.