Ways to say it
| Portuguese | IPA |
|---|---|
| algum | /awˈɡũ/ (Brazil) /alˈɡũ/ (Portugal) |
| um | /ˈũ/ (Brazil) /ũ/ (Brazil) |
The word algum is used for unspecified or unknown items. However, the indefinite articles um or uma are frequently used to express 'some' when referring to a single unit of something, such as um chá (some tea/a tea). Additionally, the related forms uns or umas can be used colloquially before numbers to mean 'about' or 'approximately'.
Which one should you use?
When using the word to mean 'some' in the sense of an unspecified quantity, use algum. If you are referring to a single unit, use the indefinite article um or uma. To express the meaning of 'approximately' or 'roughly', use the related forms uns or mais ou menos.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective algum must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies, taking the forms algum, alguma, alguns or algumas.
How do you pronounce it?
/awˈɡũ/
What mistakes should you avoid?
In negative sentences, rather than using algum, you should typically replace it with nenhum to mean 'not any' or 'none'.
Did you know?
- In very formal or literary Portuguese, algum can be used in a positive sentence to mean 'no' or 'none' when it is placed after the noun.
- The Portuguese word algum shares the same Latin ancestor as the French word aucun, which actually means 'none' rather than 'some'.
- In some Portuguese dialects, um is used as a 'filler' word in conversation, similar to how English speakers use 'like' or 'uh', even when not referring to a quantity.
Examples in context
- Você bebe um chá?Will you drink some tea?This sentence is useful for practicing the use of um to mean 'some' in a question.Tatoeba #881441 by alexmarcelo, translation #881440 by CK
- Vou tomar um açaí.I will drink some acai.This sentence shows how um can represent 'some' when ordering an item.Tatoeba #2554314 by alexmarcelo, translation #2857485 by mervert1
- Quer dar uma volta?Wouldn't you like to get some fresh air?This sentence demonstrates the use of the phrase 'dar uma volta' with um.Tatoeba #1487170 by alexmarcelo, translation #40004 by CK
- Eu gostaria de comprar algumas frutas.I would like to buy some fruits.
- Temos certos exemplos a serem seguidos.We have some examples to be followed.
- Você quer umas batatinhas fritas como acompanhamento?Do you want some French fries as a side dish?
- Preciso de umas poucas folhas de papel para anotar.I need some sheets of paper to write on.
- Eu estava pensando em comprar uns presentes para a família.I was thinking of buying some gifts for the family.
- Preciso de certos ingredientes para fazer a receita.I need some ingredients to make the recipe.
- 1800 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Juliana is looking for a specific tool in the garage.
- JulianaVocê viu algum martelo por aqui?Did you see some hammer around here?
- LucasNão vi nada, Juliana.I didn't see anything, Juliana.
- JulianaDeve haver algum lugar onde ele esteja.There must be some place where it is.
- LucasVou ajudar você a procurar.I will help you look for it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “some” translations and entries algum, um, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries algum, um, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
