Log inSign up

O apagão começou à noite.

O apagão começou à noite.
The power cut started at night.
From Lesson 77:Handling a household power cut·Hardcore Portuguese (Portugal)

Questions & Answers about O apagão começou à noite.

What exactly does apagão mean here?
Here, apagão means a blackout or a major power outage. It usually suggests something more serious or widespread than a small local power cut. In other contexts, it can sometimes be used figuratively, but in this sentence the electricity meaning is the natural one.
Why is there O before apagão?
O is the masculine singular definite article, meaning the. So O apagão means the blackout. Portuguese uses definite articles very naturally with nouns, often more often than English does.
Why is apagão masculine?
Because apagão is a masculine noun in Portuguese. Nouns have grammatical gender, so you learn them together with their article: o apagão, um apagão. The gender is grammatical, not based on whether the thing itself is male or female.
What tense is começou?
Começou is the simple past: in Portuguese grammar, pretérito perfeito simples. It is used for a completed event in the past. In this sentence, it shows that the blackout started at a particular time in the past.
Why is it começou with ç?
The ç is called cedilha. It makes the c sound like s before a, o, or u. So começou has an s sound in the middle. Without the cedilla, co would normally sound like k.
What does à noite mean exactly?
À noite means at night. Depending on context, it can sometimes overlap a little with in the evening, but the most direct meaning is at night / during the night-time period. In this sentence, at night is the best match.
Why is it à and not just a?

Because à is a contraction of a + a:

So à noite is literally a contracted form used in this time expression. The grave accent in à shows that contraction. It does not mark stress.

Can I also say de noite?

Yes, de noite exists and is understood. But in European Portuguese, à noite is the most standard and neutral choice in a sentence like this. Very roughly:

  • à noite = at night in a specific situation
  • de noite = often more general, like at night / during the night as a broader time expression

There is overlap, but à noite is the safest choice here.

How do I pronounce apagão?
The tricky part is the ending -ão, which is a very common Portuguese nasal ending. A rough English approximation is ah-pah-GOWN, but with a nasal ending, not a full English gown sound. The stress falls on the last syllable: ga-ÃO.
Can I change the word order?
Yes. O apagão começou à noite is the neutral word order. You could also say À noite, o apagão começou if you want to emphasize the time. Both are correct, but the original sentence sounds more neutral and straightforward.
AI Language TutorTry it ↗
Your avatar
“What's the best way to learn Portuguese grammar?”
Portuguese grammar becomes intuitive with practice. Focus on understanding the core patterns first — how sentences are structured, how verbs change form, and how words relate to each other. Our course breaks these concepts into small lessons so you can build understanding step by step.

Sign up free — start using our AI language tutor

Start learning Portuguese

Master Portuguese — from O apagão começou à noite to fluency

All course content and exercises are completely free — no paywalls, no trial periods, no signup needed.

  • ✓Infinitely deep — unlimited vocabulary and grammar
  • ✓Fast-paced — build complex sentences from the start
  • ✓Unforgettable — efficient spaced repetition system
  • ✓ AI tutor to answer your grammar questions
Start learning Portuguese →