As with English weekdays, English months of the year are capitalized.
Look at the list below and see the months of the year in English and Portuguese:
| English | Portuguese | Name origin |
|---|---|---|
| January | January | It has its origins in the name of the god Janus, the Roman god of doors, beginnings and ends. |
| February | February | It comes from the name of the goddess Februa, goddess of the purification festival, which took place at that time. |
| march | March | It comes from the name of the god Mars, son of Februa and god of war. |
| april | April | It comes from the Latin verb "aperire", which means "to open". It is related to the opening of flowers during this period, in the spring of the northern hemisphere. |
| May | May | It comes from the name of the goddess of fertility, the goddess Maya. |
| june | June | It comes from the name of the goddess Juno, goddess of women, marriage and birth. |
| july | July | It originates from the name of the Roman Emperor Julius Caesar. |
| august | August | It originates from the name of the Roman leader Augustus Caesar. |
| september | September | In ancient times, the Roman calendar started in March and with that September was the seventh month, hence the derivation of the name. A reform implemented by Emperor Julius Caesar instituted January as the first month and only then did September become the ninth month of the year. |
| october | October | Before the reform applied by Emperor Julius Caesar, October was the eighth month of the year. In Latin, "octo" means "eight". |
| November | November | Before the reform applied by Emperor Julius Caesar, November was the ninth month of the year. In Latin, "novem" means "nine". |
| December | December | Before the reform implemented by Emperor Julius Caesar, December was the tenth month of the year. In Latin, "decem" means "ten". |
Abbreviated form of months
The abbreviated form of the months in English is written with the first three letters of the respective word in full.
Below is a list of abbreviations in English and correspondence in Portuguese.
| English | Portuguese | full translation |
|---|---|---|
| JAN | JAN | January |
| FEB | FEB | February |
| SEA | SEA | March |
| APR | APR | April |
| MAY | MAY | May |
| JUN | JUN | June |
| JUL | JUL | July |
| AUG | AUG | August |
| SEP | SET | September |
| OCT | OUT | October |
| NOV | NOV | November |
| DEC | TEN | December |
How to use months in sentences
When writing sentences containing a month, we must be careful that the correct preposition is used.
Phrase with day, month and year: use on
When referring to a date with day, month and year, we must use the preposition on.
Examples:
- She was born on September 7th, 2017. (She was born on September 7, 2017.)
- They arrived on December 14th, 2016. (They arrived on December 14, 2016.)
- The meeting was scheduled on June 1st, 2014. (The meeting was scheduled on June 1, 2014.)
Phrase with day and month: use on
When the phrase only indicates the day and month of something, the preposition on must be used.
Examples:
- Her birthday is on February 10th. (Her birthday is February 10th.)
- The classes will begin on April 2nd. (Classes will start on April 2nd.)
- My vacations begin on July 8th. (My vacation starts on July 8th.)
phrase with month only
If in a sentence only the month of the occurrence of something is referred to, the preposition must be used in.
Examples:
- their graduation was in June (Their graduation was in June.)
- I will travel in November. (I will travel in November.)
- She bought the car in January. (She bought the car in January.)
Video
Watch the video below to learn how to pronounce the months in English.
Exercises
Do the exercises with months of the year in English to test your knowledge.
I. Which of the following sentences is correct?
a) My cousin arrived in October 12th.
b) My cousin arrived in october 12th.
c) My cousin arrived on October 12th.
d) My cousin arrived on october 12th.
Correct alternative: c) My cousin arrived on October 12th.
II. Choose the right option
a) January = JNY
b) January = JNU
c) January = JAY
d) January = JAN
Correct alternative: d) January = JAN
III. Which one is correct?
a) The twins were born on August 06th, 1985.
b) The twins were born in August 06th, 1985.
c) The twins were born at August 06th, 1985.
d) The twins were born of August 06th, 1985.
Correct alternative: a) The twins were born on August 06th, 1985.
See too:
- Weekdays in English
- Date in English
- House Parts in English
