Learning Portuguese numbers can really help you communicate better every day and in formal situations. If you’re starting out, it’s important to get a handle on the numbers from 1 to 1000. This is your base for tackling more complicated number words later on.
It’s interesting how, in Portuguese, the gender of some numbers changes and how numbers shift from simple to more complex forms as they go up. We’ll dive into these details, making it easier for you to get good at Portuguese numbers. You might be wondering about the finer points of numbers beyond the basics. How do they play out in work and social conversations?
Portuguese Numbers
When we start with Portuguese numbers, we look at the basics from 0 to 10 first. Each number has its own form, which changes based on the gender of the word it describes.
Next, numbers from 11 to 20 are similar to those in other Romance languages, making them pretty easy to understand and remember.
As we go higher, from 21 all the way to 100 and then 1,000, the numbers build up in a simple way, using basic units.
Numbers 0-10 in Portuguese
Learning numbers 0 to 10 is an important first step when studying Portuguese. These numbers are the building blocks for larger numbers and come up frequently in everyday use.
Here’s a simple breakdown:
- 0 – zero
- 1 – um (for masculine) / uma (for feminine)
- 2 – dois (for masculine) / duas (for feminine)
- 3 – três
- 4 – quatro
- 5 – cinco
- 6 – seis
- 7 – sete
- 8 – oito
- 9 – nove
- 10 – dez
Quick Tip:
- Use masculine forms (um, dois) with masculine nouns and feminine forms (uma, duas) with feminine nouns.
Numbers 11-20 in Portuguese
Learning numbers 11 to 20 in Portuguese is simple, especially if you’re familiar with other Romance languages. Here’s a quick list:
- 11 – onze
- 12 – doze
- 13 – treze
- 14 – catorze
- 15 – quinze
- 16 – dezesseis
- 17 – dezessete
- 18 – dezoito
- 19 – dezenove
- 20 – vinte
Once you’ve mastered 11 to 20, you’ll be ready to learn more complex numbers in Portuguese. It’s a great step toward becoming more confident with the language!
Numbers 21-100 in Portuguese
Portuguese numbers from 21 to 100 follow a simple pattern, making them easier to learn.
21 to 29
For numbers between 21 and 29, use “vinte e” (which means “twenty and”) and add the single-digit number:
- 21 – vinte e um
- 22 – vinte e dois
- 23 – vinte e três
- 24 – vinte e quatro
- 25 – vinte e cinco
- 26 – vinte e seis
- 27 – vinte e sete
- 28 – vinte e oito
- 29 – vinte e nove
30 to 100
The same pattern continues with other tens. First, say the word for the ten, add “e” (which means “and”), then the single-digit number. Here are some key tens:
- 30 – trinta
- 40 – quarenta
- 50 – cinquenta
- 60 – sessenta
- 70 – setenta
- 80 – oitenta
- 90 – noventa
- 100 – cem
Examples:
- 34 – trinta e quatro
- 47 – quarenta e sete
- 99 – noventa e nove
Also Read: 40 Romantic Ways To Say “I Love You” in Portuguese [Ultimate Collection]
Counting from 101 to 1,000 in Portuguese
Counting from 101 to 1,000 in Portuguese follows a clear structure. Here’s how it works:
Basics for 100 and Up
- 100 – cem
- For numbers between 101 and 199, use “cento”:
- 101 – cento e um
- 102 – cento e dois
Multiples of 100
The word for each hundred changes slightly. Here are the key hundreds:
- 200 – duzentos
- 300 – trezentos
- 400 – quatrocentos
- 500 – quinhentos
- 600 – seiscentos
- 700 – setecentos
- 800 – oitocentos
- 900 – novecentos
Masculine and Feminine Forms
- These hundreds can change based on gender.
- Masculine: duzentos
- Feminine: duzentas
Combining Numbers
For numbers in between, just connect the parts with “e” (which means “and”):
- 235 – duzentos e trinta e cinco
- 478 – quatrocentos e setenta e oito
- 999 – novecentos e noventa e nove
1,000
When you reach 1,000, it’s simply:
- 1,000 – mil
Also Read: 35+ Ways to Say “Goodbye” in Portuguese [Ultimate Collection]
Millions and Billions in Portuguese (Long vs Short Scale)
When dealing with large numbers in Portuguese, it’s important to know about long-scale and short-scale systems.
Long Scale vs Short Scale
Portuguese-speaking countries use the long scale, while the U.S. and some other countries use the short scale.
- In Portuguese (Long Scale):
- 1 Billion = mil milhões (a thousand millions)
- 1 Trillion = um bilião (a million millions)
- In English (Short Scale):
- 1 Billion = a thousand millions
- 1 Trillion = a million millions
Quick Tip:
- Milhão = 1 million
Decimal Points and Commas in Portuguese Numbers
In Portuguese, decimal points and commas are used differently compared to English.
- Thousands Separator:
- In Portuguese, a dot (ponto) separates thousands and millions:
- 1.000 = one thousand
- In Portuguese, a dot (ponto) separates thousands and millions:
- Decimal Separator:
- In Portuguese, a comma (vírgula) separates decimals:
- €3,50 = three euros and fifty cents
- In Portuguese, a comma (vírgula) separates decimals:
Examples:
- 1.500 = One thousand five hundred
- €10,75 = Ten euros and seventy-five cents
Conclusion
In conclusion, getting a handle on Portuguese numbers is key to communicating well, whether in daily life or more formal settings. This guide covered everything from basic number structures to more complex counting, which is useful in a range of situations.
Regular practice will help anyone get better at using Portuguese numbers, boosting their overall language skills. It’s important to pay attention to gender differences, work on your pronunciation, and understand how numbers are used. Keep visiting the Translation Blog to learn more languages.