Elon.io is an online learning platform
We have an entire course teaching Portuguese grammar and vocabulary.
Questions & Answers about Este remédio expira amanhã.
Why is the verb expira in the present tense if the sentence talks about tomorrow?
In Portuguese, the simple present can express a near-future event—especially when you’re talking about schedules or fixed dates. Here, expira (from expirar) means “expires,” and saying Este remédio expira amanhã is perfectly natural. If you prefer a more “future-looking” form, you could also say Este remédio vai expirar amanhã or Este remédio expirará amanhã, but the simple present is most common in everyday speech.
What’s the difference between expirar and vencer when talking about the shelf life of something?
Both verbs can refer to an expiration date, but there are some nuances:
- Expirar is a direct calque of English “to expire” and is understood, though slightly more formal.
- Vencer is more idiomatic in Brazil for “go bad” or “reach the due date” (e.g., O leite vence amanhã sounds very natural).
- In packaging and daily use, you’ll often see Data de vencimento (“expiration date”) rather than Data de expiração.
Could expirar mean something else?
Yes. In Portuguese:
- Expirar also means “to exhale” (breathe out).
- In a literary or formal context, it can mean “to die.” Context makes it clear here that we’re talking about a product’s expiration date.
Why is it este remédio instead of esse remédio or aquele remédio?
Portuguese demonstratives vary by proximity:
- Este: close to the speaker (this).
- Esse: close to the listener (that).
- Aquele: far from both (that over there). By using este remédio, the speaker indicates they have the medicine in hand or are pointing to it.
Do we need a preposition before amanhã?
No. Amanhã is an adverb of time, so it stands alone. You simply say:
- Este remédio expira amanhã. Adding a preposition like em (e.g., em amanhã) would be incorrect.
Can you reorder the words—for example, put amanhã at the start?
Yes. Different word orders are possible, though emphasis shifts:
- Amanhã este remédio expira. (Focus on “tomorrow.”)
- Este remédio expira amanhã. (Neutral statement.) Just keep the verb–subject relationship intact (subject–verb–time or time–subject–verb).
Are there alternative ways to express the same idea?
Absolutely. You might hear:
- Este remédio vence amanhã.
- O prazo de validade deste remédio é até amanhã.
- A validade deste remédio acaba amanhã. They all convey that the medicine’s valid period ends tomorrow.