seis
/ˈsejs/
The English word 'six' is translated into Portuguese as seis. Wiktionary also lists meia.
Meaning: cardinal number (num)
Ways to say it
| Portuguese | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| seis | /ˈsejs/ (Brazil) /ˈsejʃ/ (Rio de Janeiro) |
|
| meia | /ˈmej.ɐ/ (Brazil) /ˈmɐj.ɐ/ (Portugal) |
Brazil |
The word seis is the standard cardinal number for the quantity six. It can also refer to the digit itself.
Which one should you use?
seis is the most common way to express the number, whereas meia is a shortened version of the phrase meia dúzia used to imply the number six.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The form meia is used in Brazil.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈsejs/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not use sexto to mean the number six. sexto means 'sixth'.
Did you know?
- The word meia is a homonym in Portuguese, meaning 'sock' as well as 'half'.
- When buying tickets for a cinema or theater in Brazil, asking for a meia refers to a meia-entrada or half-price ticket.
- The word seis descends from the Latin 'sex' and the Proto-Indo-European root *swéḱs.
Examples in context
- São seis e cinco.It's five past six.This sentence is useful for telling the time with the form seis.Tatoeba #11161460 by carlosalberto, translation #11161458 by carlosalberto
- Já são quase seis.It's almost six.This sentence is useful for saying it is almost a certain time with the form seis.Tatoeba #1006096 by alexmarcelo, translation #519311 by CK
- Já são seis horas.It's six o'clock already.This sentence is useful for stating the hour with the form seis.Tatoeba #4925541 by ToinhoAlam, translation #31687 by CK
- Há seis pessoas na sala.There are six people in the room.
- Comprei meia dúzia de maçãs.I bought six apples.
- Neste grupo, só somos séis.In this group, we are only six.
- 377 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Gabriel and Camila are at a bakery.
- GabrielEu quero seis pães, por favor.I want six rolls, please.
- CamilaAqui estão os seus seis pães.Here are your six rolls.
- GabrielObrigado, Camila.Thank you, Camila.
- CamilaDe nada, Gabriel.You're welcome, Gabriel.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “six” translations and entries seis, meia, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries meia, seis, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
