Learn Portuguese (Portugal): Já agora, que horas são?

Já agora, que horas são?

By the way, what time is it?

Breakdown of Já agora, que horas são?

a hora

the hour

já agora

by the way, while we're at it

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Questions & Answers about Já agora, que horas são?

Why does Já agora mean 'by the way'? Doesn't it literally mean 'already now'?

You are exactly right about the literal translation! However, já agora is a very common fixed expression in Portuguese. It is used just like 'by the way' or 'while we are at it' in English to introduce a related thought, an afterthought, or a casual question.

Why is the verb plural (são) when asking for the time? In English we say 'what time IS it'.

In Portuguese, clock time is treated as a plural concept because you are literally asking 'what hours are they?'. You must use the plural verb são (from ser) and the plural noun horas. The only exceptions are one o'clock, midday, and midnight, which take the singular é.

Could I use the word tempo instead of horas to ask for the time?

No, and this is a common trap! In Portuguese, tempo refers to the weather or to time in a general sense, like the duration of an event. When talking about the specific time on a clock, you always use horas.