Learning numbers in Portuguese is essential for everyday communication. Whether you’re shopping in Brazil, traveling through Portugal, or simply expanding your language skills, mastering Portuguese counting opens doors to countless practical situations. Fortunately, the number system follows logical patterns that make learning easier than you might think.
In this complete guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about Portuguese numbers. From basic counting to complex calculations, you’ll gain the confidence to use numerals in real-world scenarios.
Why Learning Portuguese Numbers Matters
Before diving into the numbers themselves, let’s explore why this knowledge is so valuable for language learners.
Essential for Daily Life
First and foremost, numbers appear in countless everyday situations. For instance, you need them for shopping, telling time, making reservations, and handling money. Additionally, they’re crucial for understanding addresses, phone numbers, and dates. Without this foundation, even simple tasks become challenging.
Building Blocks for Fluency
Moreover, numbers serve as building blocks for language proficiency. They help you understand sentence structure and pronunciation patterns. Furthermore, mastering Portuguese numerals builds confidence for tackling more complex grammar topics.
Cultural Connection
Similarly, understanding how Portuguese speakers use numbers reveals cultural insights. For example, date formats and number expressions vary between Brazil and Portugal. Therefore, learning these differences helps you communicate more naturally.
Basic Portuguese Numbers: 0-10
Let’s start with the foundation of counting in Portuguese. These first eleven numbers are essential for everything else you’ll learn.
The First Eleven Numbers
Here are the basic numbers you’ll use constantly:
- 0 – zero (ZEH-roo)
- 1 – um (oom)
- 2 – dois (doysh)
- 3 – três (tresh)
- 4 – quatro (KWAH-troo)
- 5 – cinco (SEEN-koo)
- 6 – seis (saysh)
- 7 – sete (SEH-chee)
- 8 – oito (OY-too)
- 9 – nove (NOH-vee)
- 10 – dez (desh)
Pronunciation Tips
First, notice that Portuguese pronunciation differs significantly from Spanish. For instance, “dois” sounds like “doysh,” not “dose.” Additionally, the “s” at the end often sounds like “sh” in Brazilian Portuguese.
Moreover, practice these sounds regularly to develop natural pronunciation. Therefore, listen to native speakers whenever possible to refine your accent.
Gender Agreement with Numbers
Furthermore, Portuguese numbers sometimes change based on gender. Specifically, “um” (one) and “dois” (two) have feminine forms:
- um (masculine) / uma (feminine) – one
- dois (masculine) / duas (feminine) – two
For example, “um livro” (one book – masculine) versus “uma casa” (one house – feminine). Similarly, “dois carros” (two cars) versus “duas mesas” (two tables).
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Numbers 11-20 in Portuguese
Next, let’s explore the teens. These numbers follow a unique pattern you’ll need to memorize.
The Teen Numbers
Here are the numbers from eleven to twenty:
- 11 – onze (OHN-zee)
- 12 – doze (DOH-zee)
- 13 – treze (TREH-zee)
- 14 – catorze/quatorze (kah-TOR-zee)
- 15 – quinze (KEEN-zee)
- 16 – dezesseis (deh-zeh-SAYSH)
- 17 – dezessete (deh-zeh-SEH-chee)
- 18 – dezoito (deh-ZOY-too)
- 19 – dezenove (deh-zeh-NOH-vee)
- 20 – vinte (VEEN-chee)
Pattern Recognition
Notice that numbers 16-19 combine “dez” (ten) with the single digits. Therefore, “dezesseis” literally means “ten and six.” This pattern makes these numbers easier to remember once you understand the logic.
Additionally, some numbers have spelling variations. For instance, both “catorze” and “quatorze” are correct for fourteen, though “quatorze” is more common.
Numbers 20-100: Tens and Combinations
Now we’ll cover the larger numbers that follow predictable patterns.
The Tens
First, memorize these base numbers:
- 20 – vinte (VEEN-chee)
- 30 – trinta (TREEN-tah)
- 40 – quarenta (kwah-REN-tah)
- 50 – cinquenta (seen-KWEN-tah)
- 60 – sessenta (seh-SEN-tah)
- 70 – setenta (seh-TEN-tah)
- 80 – oitenta (oy-TEN-tah)
- 90 – noventa (noh-VEN-tah)
- 100 – cem (saym)
Forming Compound Numbers
Furthermore, creating numbers between the tens is straightforward. Simply connect the tens with “e” (and) plus the single digit:
- 21 – vinte e um
- 35 – trinta e cinco
- 47 – quarenta e sete
- 68 – sessenta e oito
- 99 – noventa e nove
For example, “I have 42 books” becomes “Tenho quarenta e dois livros.” Notice how “dois” agrees with the masculine “livros.”
Special Note About 100
Additionally, “100” has two forms: “cem” and “cento.” Use “cem” when it stands alone, but “cento” when followed by other numbers:
- 100 – cem (exactly one hundred)
- 101 – cento e um
- 150 – cento e cinquenta
- 199 – cento e noventa e nove
Numbers 100-1000: Hundreds
Moving forward, let’s explore how Portuguese handles hundreds.
The Hundreds
Here are the basic hundreds:
- 100 – cem/cento
- 200 – duzentos/duzentas
- 300 – trezentos/trezentas
- 400 – quatrocentos/quatrocentas
- 500 – quinhentos/quinhentas
- 600 – seiscentos/seiscentas
- 700 – setecentos/setecentas
- 800 – oitocentos/oitocentas
- 900 – novecentos/novecentas
Gender Agreement in Hundreds
Moreover, hundreds from 200 onwards agree with gender. Therefore, use the masculine form (-centos) with masculine nouns and the feminine form (-centas) with feminine nouns:
- 200 men – duzentos homens
- 200 women – duzentas mulheres
- 500 books – quinhentos livros
- 500 houses – quinhentas casas
Building Complex Numbers
Additionally, combine hundreds, tens, and units using “e” (and):
- 234 – duzentos e trinta e quatro
- 567 – quinhentos e sessenta e sete
- 899 – oitocentos e noventa e nove
For instance, “I paid 345 reais” becomes “Paguei trezentos e quarenta e cinco reais.”
Large Numbers: Thousands and Beyond
Next, let’s tackle larger Portuguese numbers that you’ll encounter frequently.
Thousands (Mil)
First, understand that “mil” (thousand) doesn’t change for gender or plural:
- 1,000 – mil
- 2,000 – dois mil
- 5,000 – cinco mil
- 10,000 – dez mil
- 100,000 – cem mil
Furthermore, combine thousands with smaller numbers using “e”:
- 1,234 – mil duzentos e trinta e quatro
- 5,678 – cinco mil seiscentos e setenta e oito
- 99,999 – noventa e nove mil novecentos e noventa e nove
Millions (Milhão/Milhões)
Moreover, millions follow a slightly different pattern. “Milhão” becomes “milhões” in plural:
- 1,000,000 – um milhão
- 2,000,000 – dois milhões
- 5,000,000 – cinco milhões
- 10,000,000 – dez milhões
Additionally, use “de” after milhão/milhões before nouns:
- One million reais – um milhão de reais
- Two million people – dois milhões de pessoas
Billions and Beyond
Similarly, billions follow the same pattern:
- 1,000,000,000 – um bilhão (Brazil) / mil milhões (Portugal)
- 1,000,000,000,000 – um trilhão (Brazil) / um bilião (Portugal)
Note the difference: Brazil uses the American system while Portugal uses the European system.
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Ordinal Numbers in Portuguese
In addition to cardinal numbers, ordinal numbers indicate position or order.
First Through Tenth
Here are the most common ordinal numbers:
- 1st – primeiro/primeira (first)
- 2nd – segundo/segunda (second)
- 3rd – terceiro/terceira (third)
- 4th – quarto/quarta (fourth)
- 5th – quinto/quinta (fifth)
- 6th – sexto/sexta (sixth)
- 7th – sétimo/sétima (seventh)
- 8th – oitavo/oitava (eighth)
- 9th – nono/nona (ninth)
- 10th – décimo/décima (tenth)
Gender and Number Agreement
Furthermore, ordinals must agree with the nouns they modify:
- First floor – primeiro andar (masculine)
- First time – primeira vez (feminine)
- Third books – terceiros livros (masculine plural)
- Third houses – terceiras casas (feminine plural)
Higher Ordinals
Additionally, for higher ordinals (11th and beyond), many speakers simply use cardinal numbers:
- 11th floor – décimo primeiro andar OR andar onze
- 20th century – vigésimo século OR século vinte
Practical Uses of Portuguese Numbers
Now let’s explore real-world situations where you’ll use these numbers daily.
Telling Time
First, telling time requires number knowledge:
- 1:00 – uma hora (feminine!)
- 2:00 – duas horas (feminine!)
- 3:15 – três e quinze / três e um quarto
- 4:30 – quatro e meia
- 5:45 – seis menos quinze / cinco e quarenta e cinco
Notice that “hora” is feminine, so use “uma” and “duas.”
Money and Prices
Moreover, handling money involves numbers constantly:
- R$ 5.50 – cinco reais e cinquenta centavos
- € 10.25 – dez euros e vinte e cinco cêntimos
- R$ 100 – cem reais
- € 1,000 – mil euros
Additionally, practice asking “Quanto custa?” (How much does it cost?) and understanding the numerical response.
Dates
Furthermore, dates use cardinal numbers (except for the first):
- January 1st – primeiro de janeiro
- March 15th – quinze de março
- December 25th – vinte e cinco de dezembro
- Year 2025 – dois mil e vinte e cinco
Phone Numbers
Similarly, phone numbers are read digit by digit or in pairs:
- 555-1234 – cinco cinco cinco, um dois três quatro
- OR: cinquenta e cinco, cinquenta e cinco, doze, trinta e quatro
Addresses
Additionally, addresses use cardinal numbers:
- Rua Brasil, 234 – Rua Brasil, número duzentos e trinta e quatro
- Apartment 15 – apartamento quinze
Differences Between Brazilian and European Portuguese
It’s important to note some variations between Brazil and Portugal.
Number Pronunciation
First, pronunciation differs noticeably. For instance, Brazilian Portuguese tends to pronounce final “s” as “sh,” while European Portuguese often drops or softens vowels.
Large Numbers
Moreover, as mentioned earlier, billions differ significantly:
- Brazil: bilhão (1,000,000,000)
- Portugal: mil milhões (1,000,000,000)
Decimal Points and Commas
Furthermore, Brazil uses commas for decimals and periods for thousands:
- Brazil: R$ 1.234,56 (one thousand, two hundred thirty-four reais and fifty-six centavos)
- Portugal: € 1.234,56 (same system as Brazil)
However, some Portuguese documents use periods for decimals like English.
Tips for Mastering Portuguese Numbers
Here are proven strategies to help you learn Portuguese counting effectively.
Practice Daily
First and foremost, incorporate numbers into daily practice. For example, count objects around you, read prices aloud, or practice telling time in Portuguese. Consequently, these numbers will become second nature.
Use Flashcards
Additionally, create flashcards for numbers you find challenging. Focus especially on larger numbers and ordinals. Therefore, regular review strengthens your memory.
Listen to Native Speakers
Moreover, watch Portuguese videos, listen to podcasts, or follow Portuguese social media. Pay attention to how natives pronounce numbers naturally. As a result, your comprehension and pronunciation will improve dramatically.
Practice with Real Scenarios
Furthermore, simulate real-life situations. For instance, practice ordering items, making reservations, or discussing prices with language partners. Consequently, you’ll gain practical confidence.
Learn Number Patterns
Similarly, understanding patterns makes learning easier. Notice how Portuguese numbers combine logically. Therefore, you can often figure out unfamiliar numbers using known patterns.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Let’s review frequent errors learners make with Portuguese numerals.
Forgetting Gender Agreement
First, remember that “um/uma” and “dois/duas” must match noun gender. This applies to hundreds as well (duzentos/duzentas). Therefore, always check the noun’s gender.
Mixing Up “Cem” and “Cento”
Additionally, use “cem” for exactly 100, but “cento” when adding more numbers. For example, “cem pessoas” (100 people) but “cento e cinco pessoas” (105 people).
Incorrect “E” Placement
Moreover, use “e” (and) only between number groups. For instance, “duzentos e trinta e cinco” (235) is correct, but don’t say “dois e centos.”
Wrong Ordinal Agreement
Furthermore, ordinals must agree in gender and number with their nouns. Therefore, check whether your noun is masculine, feminine, singular, or plural.
Confusing Billion Systems
Finally, remember the difference between Brazilian (bilhão) and Portuguese (mil milhões) for billions. This prevents confusion in international contexts.
Advanced Number Expressions
Let’s explore some advanced concepts for confident speakers.
Fractions
First, here are common fractions in Portuguese:
- 1/2 – meio/meia OR metade
- 1/3 – um terço
- 1/4 – um quarto
- 2/3 – dois terços
- 3/4 – três quartos
For example, “meia hora” (half hour) or “um terço da população” (a third of the population).
Percentages
Additionally, percentages use “por cento”:
- 50% – cinquenta por cento
- 75% – setenta e cinco por cento
- 100% – cem por cento
Approximate Numbers
Moreover, express approximations using “cerca de” or “aproximadamente”:
- About 100 – cerca de cem
- Approximately 50 – aproximadamente cinquenta
Multiplication and Division
Furthermore, mathematical operations use specific terms:
- 2 × 3 = 6 – dois vezes três são seis
- 10 ÷ 2 = 5 – dez dividido por dois são cinco
Conclusion
Mastering Portuguese numbers is essential for effective communication in any Portuguese-speaking context. From basic counting to complex calculations, these numerals form the foundation of countless daily interactions. Whether you’re shopping in São Paulo, traveling through Lisbon, or conducting business internationally, confident number usage demonstrates language proficiency.
Remember that learning numbers in Portuguese requires consistent practice and patience. Start with the basics, gradually build to larger numbers, and always pay attention to gender agreement. Additionally, practice with real-world scenarios to develop natural fluency.
The patterns you’ve learned today—from simple counting to ordinals, from hundreds to millions—will serve you throughout your Portuguese learning journey. Therefore, review regularly, practice daily, and don’t hesitate to use your new skills in real conversations.
Most importantly, embrace mistakes as learning opportunities. Every Portuguese speaker started exactly where you are now. With dedication and the right resources, you’ll soon count, calculate, and communicate numbers as naturally as native speakers.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What’s the difference between “cem” and “cento” in Portuguese? A: “Cem” is used when expressing exactly 100 as a standalone number, such as “cem pessoas” (100 people) or “cem reais” (100 reais). However, “cento” is used when 100 is followed by additional numbers, like “cento e um” (101) or “cento e cinquenta” (150). This distinction is important for proper Portuguese number usage. Think of “cem” as the complete hundred and “cento” as the building block for larger numbers.
Q: Do all Portuguese numbers have gender agreement? A: No, only certain Portuguese numbers show gender agreement. Specifically, “um/uma” (one) and “dois/duas” (two) change based on the noun’s gender. Additionally, hundreds from 200 onwards have masculine and feminine forms: “duzentos/duzentas,” “trezentos/trezentas,” and so on. All other cardinal numbers remain the same regardless of gender. However, ordinal numbers (first, second, third, etc.) always agree with both gender and number of their nouns.
Q: How do Brazilians and Portuguese people say large numbers differently? A: The most significant difference appears with billions. Brazilians use “bilhão” for 1,000,000,000, following the American system. Meanwhile, Portuguese people say “mil milhões” for the same number, following the European system. Furthermore, “bilião” in Portugal means trillion (1,000,000,000,000), which Brazilians call “trilhão.” Pronunciation also varies, with Brazilian Portuguese generally being clearer with vowels while European Portuguese tends to compress them.
Q: How do you say decimal numbers in Portuguese? A: Portuguese uses “vírgula” (comma) where English uses a decimal point. For example, 3.14 in English becomes “três vírgula catorze” (3,14) in Portuguese. When writing, use a comma instead of a period: “5,75” not “5.75.” Additionally, for thousands separators, Portuguese uses periods where English uses commas: “1.234,56” equals 1,234.56. This system applies in both Brazil and Portugal, though you might occasionally see English notation in international contexts.
Q: What’s the easiest way to practice Portuguese numbers daily? A: The most effective practice involves integrating numbers into your daily routine. First, count objects around you in Portuguese—books, chairs, steps while walking. Additionally, think of prices, ages, and times in Portuguese throughout your day. Furthermore, watch Portuguese videos and pause to repeat numbers you hear. Use apps like TheCognitio.com for structured practice with immediate feedback. Finally, find a language partner and practice real scenarios like shopping or making plans together. Consistency matters more than duration—even five minutes daily produces excellent results.
Q: Are Portuguese numbers difficult to learn for English speakers? A: Portuguese numbers are actually quite manageable for English speakers once you understand the patterns. The system follows logical rules, and many numbers sound similar to English or Spanish. The main challenges include remembering gender agreement for certain numbers, using “e” (and) correctly between number groups, and distinguishing “cem” from “cento.” Additionally, pronunciation requires practice, especially for sounds like “ão” in “milhão.” However, compared to other Portuguese grammar topics, numbers are relatively straightforward. With regular practice and exposure to native speakers, most learners master basic counting within a few weeks.