Portuguese · Numbers & Time
Ontem
[/ˈõtẽj/]
Yesterday
Beginneradverb
Definition
Refers to the day before today.
O dia anterior ao dia atual.
Example
Ontem choveu muito.
Yesterday it rained a lot.
Etymology
'Ontem' originates from the Old Portuguese term 'ontem', believed to have roots in the Latin 'Hanc Tempore', meaning 'this time' or 'now'.
How & Where It’s Used
'Ontem' is primarily used in spoken Portuguese but can also be encountered in written contexts, fitting both formal and informal registers.