When learning Brazilian Portuguese, mastering numbers is fundamental. Whether you’re shopping at a bustling market in São Paulo, catching a bus in Rio de Janeiro, or simply enjoying a chat with a Brazilian friend, numbers are indispensable. This guide will take you through the essentials of Brazilian Portuguese numerals, from the basics to more complex forms.
1. Cardinal Numbers: The Basics
Cardinal numbers (números cardinais) are the most common type of numerals used for counting and stating quantities.
From 0 to 10:
- 0 – zero
- 1 – um/uma
- 2 – dois/duas
- 3 – três
- 4 – quatro
- 5 – cinco
- 6 – seis
- 7 – sete
- 8 – oito
- 9 – nove
- 10 – dez
Notice that “um” and “dois” change to “uma” and “duas” when referring to feminine nouns, respectively.
From 11 to 20:
- 11 – onze
- 12 – doze
- 13 – treze
- 14 – quatorze/catorze
- 15 – quinze
- 16 – dezesseis
- 17 – dezessete
- 18 – dezoito
- 19 – dezenove
- 20 – vinte
Brazilian Portuguese uses “quatorze,” though “catorze” is also understood.
Tens:
- 30 – trinta
- 40 – quarenta
- 50 – cinquenta
- 60 – sessenta
- 70 – setenta
- 80 – oitenta
- 90 – noventa
Numbers between these milestones are formed by combining the tens with the units, using “e” (and). For example:
- 21 – vinte e um
- 35 – trinta e cinco
- 48 – quarenta e oito
Hundreds:
- 100 – cem
- 200 – duzentos/duzentas
- 300 – trezentos/trezentas
- 400 – quatrocentos/quatrocentas
- 500 – quinhentos/quinhentas
- 600 – seiscentos/seiscentas
- 700 – setecentos/setecentas
- 800 – oitocentos/oitocentas
- 900 – novecentos/novecentas
Like with “dois” and “duas,” the hundreds have gender variations to match the noun they modify.
Thousands:
- 1,000 – mil
- 2,000 – dois mil
- 10,000 – dez mil
- 100,000 – cem mil
- 1,000,000 – um milhão
2. Ordinal Numbers: Order and Rank
Ordinal numbers (números ordinais) are used to indicate the position or order of things.
From 1st to 10th:
- 1st – primeiro/primeira
- 2nd – segundo/segunda
- 3rd – terceiro/terceira
- 4th – quarto/quarta
- 5th – quinto/quinta
- 6th – sexto/sexta
- 7th – sétimo/sétima
- 8th – oitavo/oitava
- 9th – nono/nona
- 10th – décimo/décima
For numbers beyond 10th, you generally combine the tens with these ordinal bases:
- 11th – décimo primeiro
- 12th – décimo segundo
- 20th – vigésimo
- 30th – trigésimo
- 40th – quadragésimo
3. Fractions: Parts of a Whole
Fractions (frações) are also important, especially when discussing quantities in recipes or dividing something.
- 1/2 – meio/meia
- 1/3 – um terço
- 1/4 – um quarto
- 1/5 – um quinto
- 1/6 – um sexto
- 1/8 – um oitavo
4. Decimals and Percentages
Decimals (decimais) and percentages (percentagens) are commonly used in various contexts, such as shopping, statistics, and finance.
- 0.5 – zero vírgula cinco
- 1.75 – um vírgula setenta e cinco
- 10% – dez por cento
- 50% – cinquenta por cento
5. Large Numbers and Beyond
For large numbers, it’s essential to understand the Brazilian Portuguese terms, especially if you’re dealing with financial figures or large quantities.
- 1,000,000 – um milhão
- 1,000,000,000 – um bilhão
- 1,000,000,000,000 – um trilhão
Practice Makes Perfect
Learning numerals in Brazilian Portuguese can seem daunting at first, but regular practice and real-life application can make it easier. Here are a few tips to help you master them:
- Daily Practice: Integrate numbers into your daily routine. Count objects around you, say the date in Portuguese, or calculate expenses in Brazilian currency.
- Flashcards: Create flashcards with numbers on one side and their Portuguese names on the other. This helps with memorization and quick recall.
- Listening Exercises: Listen to Brazilian music, podcasts, or news, and pay attention to how numbers are pronounced and used in context.
- Conversation: Engage in conversations with native speakers, focusing on using numbers. Whether it’s discussing prices, ages, or dates, real-life practice is invaluable.
By understanding and practicing these numerals, you’ll find yourself more comfortable and confident in a variety of everyday situations. Numbers are the building blocks of communication, and mastering them is a significant step in your journey to fluency in Brazilian Portuguese. Boa sorte (good luck)!
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