Hora vs. Horário: Ask the Time or Check a Schedule?
Que horas são? asks for the current time; qual é o horário? asks about a scheduled time or timetable.
Real Life Portuguese · 5 min read · Updated October 15, 2026
The short answer
Hora can mean a time on the clock, a period, or an hour. Ask que horas são? for the current time and a que horas? to ask when an event begins.
Use hora for the time or an hour
Hora also appears in expressions such as na hora certa (at the right time) and hora de sair (time to leave). Learn it in the full phrase.
Que horas são?
What time is it?
A que horas o filme começa?
What time does the movie start?
A viagem levou duas horas.
The trip took two hours.
Use horário for a schedule, timetable, or time slot
Horário usually refers to a schedule, timetable, opening time, or assigned time slot. Ask qual é o horário da consulta? when you need the appointment time; ask quais são os horários? when comparing available slots.
Hora and horário can overlap when people ask when something happens. Horário more strongly suggests an organized time, while hora is the everyday word for the time itself.
O horário de funcionamento está na porta.
The opening hours are posted on the door.
Qual horário fica melhor para você?
Which time slot works best for you?
Mudaram o horário da reunião.
They changed the meeting time.
Put it into practice
Hora is a time or hour; horário is often a schedule or planned time slot. Use que horas são? for the clock and horário for schedules.
Quick practice
Which Portuguese example matches “The trip took two hours”?
Choose an answer to check yourself.
Keep practicing with the Real Life Portuguese app
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