De Vez em Quando vs. Às Vezes: How to Say “Sometimes” in Portuguese — Practice

Use às vezes as a flexible “sometimes”

Às vezes is a common, concise way to say “sometimes.” It works at the beginning or end of a sentence and can describe a habit that happens occasionally.

The accent marks matter in writing: às vezes. In fast speech, the phrase may sound connected, so learn it in a complete sentence rather than as two isolated words.

Use de vez em quando for an occasional event

De vez em quando also means “from time to time” or “once in a while.” Its longer rhythm often gives a sentence a slightly more occasional feel, though it overlaps with às vezes.

It commonly appears at the start or end of a sentence. Both expressions are natural; choose the one that fits your rhythm and the emphasis you want.

Choose the expression that fits the conversation

There is no strict frequency scale that separates the two expressions in every conversation. Both can describe an occasional action; the difference is often stylistic rather than a measurable number of times.

For a daily or weekly habit, name the interval directly with todo dia, uma vez por semana, or quase nunca. Use às vezes or de vez em quando when the exact frequency is not important.

Remember: Às vezes and de vez em quando both mean “sometimes.” The longer phrase can feel like “once in a while,” but everyday usage overlaps.

Check your understanding

Choose the English meaning of each Portuguese example. Answer before looking back at the tables. These questions check the written examples in this guide; they are not a listening or proficiency test.

Recall the Portuguese, then say it

Read the English prompt and say a Portuguese version before opening the answer. The answer shows the example from the lesson; other natural translations may also work. Compare the meaning and the situation rather than counting a different word as automatically wrong.

1. Sometimes I have lunch near work.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Às vezes, eu almoço perto do trabalho.

2. We sometimes watch a movie at home.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   A gente assiste a um filme em casa às vezes.

3. Sometimes she prefers to walk by herself.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Às vezes, ela prefere caminhar sozinha.

4. Once in a while, I visit my cousins in the countryside.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   De vez em quando, visito meus primos no interior.

5. He cooks for his friends from time to time.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Ele cozinha para os amigos de vez em quando.

6. We order Japanese food every now and then.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   A gente pede comida japonesa de vez em quando.

Make the phrase useful to you

Choose one example you could actually use. Say it once from memory, then change one detail that fits your life, such as the person, place, time, or object. Check whether your change also needs a different verb form, article, or adjective ending. If it does, compare it with the pattern in the explanation.

Às vezes and de vez em quando both mean “sometimes.” The longer phrase can feel like “once in a while,” but everyday usage overlaps.

Return to two prompts tomorrow without opening the answers first. If a phrase still feels difficult, shorten it to a useful chunk and build the complete sentence again.

Sources and your next lesson

This I Speak Portuguese practice guide builds on our De Vez em Quando vs. Às Vezes: How to Say “Sometimes” in Portuguese lesson on Real Life Portuguese, with written recall tasks and additional speaking practice. The explanations and examples are teaching material; the practice questions are exercises, not a transcript of a recording.

To add Brazilian audio to your routine, choose a lesson in the Real Life Portuguese app. The app offers its own lessons and practice; this page does not imply that every example here has an app recording.