Por Volta de vs. Cerca de in Portuguese: Giving an Approximate Time or Number
Both phrases mean “around” or “about,” with por volta de especially common for clock times.
Real Life Portuguese · 5 min read · Updated October 14, 2026
The short answer
Por volta de means “around” or “approximately” and commonly introduces a clock time. It tells the listener that the time is an estimate rather than an exact appointment.
Use por volta de for an approximate time
The phrase can also introduce an approximate age or quantity, but you will often hear it with hours: por volta das oito (around eight). Notice the contraction de + as = das.
A gente chega por volta das sete.
We’ll arrive around seven.
A aula termina por volta das nove e meia.
Class ends at around nine thirty.
Ele se mudou para o Brasil por volta de 2020.
He moved to Brazil around 2020.
Use cerca de for an approximate amount or distance
Cerca de also means “about” or “approximately.” It works naturally with a number, distance, price, or quantity, especially in descriptions and estimates.
Cerca de is followed by the number or measurement: cerca de vinte pessoas, cerca de cinco quilômetros. If the amount is exact, state it without the approximation phrase.
O passeio dura cerca de duas horas.
The tour lasts about two hours.
Fica a cerca de cinco quilômetros daqui.
It’s about five kilometers from here.
Vieram cerca de trinta pessoas à reunião.
About thirty people came to the meeting.
Choose the phrase that sounds natural for your estimate
The expressions overlap, and both can give an approximate value. Por volta de is especially natural with a clock time; cerca de often introduces quantities and measurements.
If a listener needs a firm time, replace the estimate with an exact hour or say that you are not sure yet. An approximate phrase should not sound like a confirmed appointment.
A reunião começa por volta das dez.
The meeting starts around ten.
O grupo tem cerca de quinze alunos.
The group has about fifteen students.
Ainda não sei a hora; talvez por volta do meio-dia.
I don’t know the time yet; maybe around noon.
Put it into practice
Use por volta de for an estimated time and cerca de for an approximate quantity or measurement. Both can mean “about.”
Quick practice
Which Portuguese example matches “It’s about five kilometers from here”?
Choose an answer to check yourself.
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