Greetings! If you are looking for a guide on how to say numbers in Portuguese, you’ve come to the right place. In this comprehensive guide, we will cover how to express numbers in both formal and informal contexts in the Portuguese language. From basic numbers to complex ones, we will provide you with tips, examples, and some regional variations along the way. So, let’s get started!
Table of Contents
1. Basic Numbers
Let’s begin with the fundamental numbers in Portuguese. Here are the cardinal numbers from 0 to 10:
- 0 – zero
- 1 – um (masc.) / uma (fem.)
- 2 – dois (masc.) / duas (fem.)
- 3 – três
- 4 – quatro
- 5 – cinco
- 6 – seis
- 7 – sete
- 8 – oito
- 9 – nove
- 10 – dez
Now, let’s move on to the tens and hundreds:
- 10 – dez
- 20 – vinte
- 30 – trinta
- 40 – quarenta
- 50 – cinquenta
- 60 – sessenta
- 70 – setenta
- 80 – oitenta
- 90 – noventa
- 100 – cem
- 200 – duzentos (masc.) / duzentas (fem.)
- 1000 – mil
2. Complex Numbers
Now that we have covered the basics, let’s explore complex numbers. To express numbers between 11 and 19, you simply combine the corresponding digit with the word “dez” (ten). For example:
- 11 – onze
- 12 – doze
- 13 – treze
- 14 – quatorze / catorze
- 15 – quinze
- 16 – dezesseis / dezasseis
- 17 – dezessete / dezassete
- 18 – dezoito / dezoito
- 19 – dezenove / dezanove
For numbers beyond 20, you combine the tens with the ones. Here are some examples:
- 21 – vinte e um / vinte e uma
- 32 – trinta e dois / trinta e duas
- 46 – quarenta e seis
- 59 – cinquenta e nove
- 68 – sessenta e oito
- 77 – setenta e sete
- 83 – oitenta e três
- 99 – noventa e nove
For larger numbers, you continue the same pattern:
- 100 – cem
- 150 – cento e cinquenta
- 200 – duzentos / duzentas
- 506 – quinhentos e seis / quinhentas e seis
- 1000 – mil
- 2000 – dois mil
- 5000 – cinco mil
- 10000 – dez mil
3. Formal and Informal Ways
In Portuguese, there is generally no distinct formal and informal way of saying numbers. However, when dealing with more formal situations, some people may prefer to use ordinals rather than cardinals. For example:
- 1st – primeiro (masc.) / primeira (fem.)
- 2nd – segundo (masc.) / segunda (fem.)
- 3rd – terceiro (masc.) / terceira (fem.)
- 4th – quarto (masc.) / quarta (fem.)
- 5th – quinto (masc.) / quinta (fem.)
- 10th – décimo (masc.) / décima (fem.)
When using ordinals, remember to match the gender of the noun being counted. For example, “primeiro livro” (first book) and “primeira casa” (first house).
4. Regional Variations
While Portuguese is spoken in multiple countries, including Portugal, Brazil, and several African nations, there are minimal variations in how numbers are expressed. The examples provided earlier are widely understood and used across different Portuguese-speaking regions. However, minor differences in pronunciation or regional slang may exist.
5. Conclusion
Congratulations! You have now completed our comprehensive guide on how to say numbers in Portuguese. We covered basic and complex numbers, formal and informal usage, and even touched on some regional variations. Remember, practice makes perfect, so don’t hesitate to utilize the examples given to enhance your skills. Whether you are counting objects, expressing prices, or simply telling the time, this guide will serve as a valuable reference.
“Learning numbers in a new language opens the door to endless possibilities of communication. Embrace the joy of discovery and enjoy your journey of mastering Portuguese numbers!” – [Your Name]
