Por volta
Around
Language note: Means “around/about (a time).” Often used with “das”: “por volta das 10.”
Culture note: Portuguese speakers love this for approximate times—very common when trains might vary a few minutes.
Context: Because it can vary slightly, the clerk says it’s around that time.
Word-by-Word Breakdown
Por
[poor]
around / approximately
“por” here is part of the expression “por volta de” = “around/about”.
Chega por volta das 12:00, se não houver atrasos.
It arrives around 12:00, if there are no delays.
volta
[VOL-tah]
turn / around (in the expression)
In “por volta de”, “volta” forms an idiom meaning “around/approximately”.
Chega por volta da hora de almoço.
It arrives around lunchtime.
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