Numbers in Portuguese: A Fun and Practical Counting Guide
- Mário Rui
- Feb 20
- 4 min read
When learning Portuguese, one of the most practical skills is mastering numbers. Whether you're ordering food, asking for directions, or simply trying to keep up in conversations, numbers come up all the time. But don't worry—learning numbers in Portuguese can be easy and even enjoyable! In this guide, we’ll take you through the basics, introduce you to some fun facts, and give you tips to boost your confidence in counting.
1. Why Learning Numbers is Essential
Numbers are more than just a basic part of the language; they’re a gateway to everyday interactions. Picture this: you’re in Lisbon ordering "dois pastéis de nata" (two custard tarts) or buying tickets to visit a museum. Being able to count, understand prices, and handle dates can make your experience in Portugal (or any Portuguese-speaking country) much smoother.
2. Basic Numbers in Portuguese
Let’s start simple—counting from 1 to 10. These numbers form the foundation for everything else:
1 – Um/Uma (depending on gender)
2 – Dois/Duas (again, gender matters)
3 – Três
4 – Quatro
5 – Cinco
6 – Seis
7 – Sete
8 – Oito
9 – Nove
10 – Dez
The good news? Once you've got these down, you can already start forming bigger numbers!
3. Counting Beyond 10
When you move beyond 10, Portuguese numbers follow logical patterns. For example:
11 – Onze
12 – Doze
13 – Treze
14 – Catorze
15 – Quinze
And from 16 onward, it's a mix of “dez” + a number:
16 – Dezasseis
17 – Dezassete
18 – Dezoito
19 – Dezanove
And now you’re ready to tackle the twenties, thirties, and beyond!
4. Counting in Tens: 20, 30, 40, 50...
Once you understand the numbers from 1 to 19, learning how to count in tens is a breeze. In Portuguese, the multiples of ten have their own unique names, and the pattern is easy to follow:
20 – Vinte
30 – Trinta
40 – Quarenta
50 – Cinquenta
60 – Sessenta
70 – Setenta
80 – Oitenta
90 – Noventa
You can combine these tens with smaller numbers for the full range. For example, 21 is vinte e um, 32 is trinta e dois, and so on.
5. Fun Fact: Why Are Some Numbers Gendered?
One thing learners find quirky in Portuguese is the fact that some numbers are gendered. This only happens with the numbers "one" and "two." So, you say um carro (one car) but uma maçã (one apple), and duas mesas (two tables) but dois livros (two books). This gender agreement is a common feature in Romance languages like Portuguese, making it fun to play with language while learning.
6. Thousands and Millions: Big Numbers in Portuguese
Let’s take it up a notch. When you're talking about thousands or millions, the language shifts slightly but remains straightforward:
100 – Cem
200 – Duzentos(as)
1,000 – Mil
10,000 – Dez mil
100,000 – Cem mil
1,000,000 – Um milhão
Bonus tip: In Portuguese, you use a period (.) instead of a comma (,) to separate thousands. So, "1,000,000" would be written as "1.000.000."
7. The Art of Pronunciation
Portuguese numbers may seem intimidating at first, but the rhythm and sounds are quite melodic. A common trick for mastering pronunciation is to listen to native speakers in real-life contexts, like ordering in restaurants or listening to sports commentary. Apps like Forvo can help with this by providing real native pronunciations.
8. Talking Money in Portuguese
Numbers and money go hand in hand, especially if you’re traveling or living in a Portuguese-speaking country. In Portugal, the currency is the Euro (Euro in Portuguese, plural euros). Here’s how you might ask about prices or talk about money:
Quanto custa? (How much does it cost?)
Custa cinco euros. (It costs five euros.)
Tenho dez euros. (I have ten euros.)
When discussing money, you'll often hear prices rounded to full numbers or expressed with decimals, such as 1,50 (one euro and fifty cents) pronounced as um euro e cinquenta cêntimos. Understanding how to say and handle amounts of money will greatly enhance your confidence in real-life interactions.
9. Tips to Memorize Numbers
Here are a few creative ways to ensure you don’t forget your numbers:
Use Mnemonics: Create simple associations. For example, “oito” (8) sounds like "ate," as in, "I ate 8 slices of pizza."
Play Games: Use apps or flashcards to make learning numbers more engaging.
Practice Real-Life Situations: When grocery shopping or looking at your phone, practice saying the numbers you see in Portuguese.
10. Numbers in Dates and Time
Finally, numbers are essential for understanding dates and time in Portuguese. Remember to reverse the month and day order when using Portuguese, just like in European formats. For example, "April 5th, 2024," would be written as “5 de abril de 2024.”
To tell time, keep in mind the 24-hour clock is often used in formal settings, so “2 PM” becomes “14 horas.”
3,2,1… Ready to Master Numbers in Portuguese?
Numbers are at the heart of many daily interactions. By learning and practicing them, you’ll find yourself navigating conversations, trips, and even shopping with greater ease. And the more you practice, the more fluent and confident you’ll become in your Portuguese-speaking journey!
Understanding numbers is just the start! Whether you're calculating your expenses in euros or learning to express time, mastering numbers in Portuguese opens doors to everyday conversations. Join our online lessons to deepen your knowledge and confidently navigate real-world situations in Portuguese—beyond just numbers!
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