Numbers in Portuguese: From One to a Million

Introduction

Learning numbers in Portuguese is one of the most essential foundations for anyone studying this beautiful Romance language. Whether you’re planning to travel to Portuguese-speaking countries, conduct business, or simply connect with native speakers, mastering numbers opens countless doors in everyday communication. From shopping at markets to telling time, understanding ages to discussing prices, numbers appear in virtually every conversation you’ll have.

Why Learning Portuguese Numbers Matters

Numbers are everywhere in daily life, making them one of the first things you should master when learning Portuguese. Unlike some aspects of language learning that you might postpone, numbers are immediately practical. You’ll need them to ask for directions, make reservations, exchange phone numbers, understand prices, and navigate public transportation. The good news is that Portuguese numbers follow logical patterns, making them easier to learn than you might expect.

Portuguese shares Latin roots with other Romance languages like Spanish, French, and Italian, which means if you’ve studied any of these languages, you’ll notice helpful similarities. However, Portuguese has its own unique characteristics and pronunciation patterns that set it apart. Understanding these numbers will also help you grasp other grammatical concepts, as numbers interact with gender and plurality in Portuguese in interesting ways.

Basic Numbers from Zero to Ten

Let’s start with the foundation: the numbers zero through ten. These are the building blocks you’ll use to construct all other numbers in Portuguese.

Zero – 0
Um (masculine) or Uma (feminine) – 1
Dois (masculine) or Duas (feminine) – 2
Três – 3
Quatro – 4
Cinco – 5
Seis – 6
Sete – 7
Oito – 8
Nove – 9
Dez – 10

Notice that the first two numbers have gender variations. When counting or using these numbers with masculine nouns, you use um and dois. With feminine nouns, you switch to uma and duas. For example, you would say um livro (one book, masculine) but uma casa (one house, feminine). Similarly, dois carros (two cars, masculine) versus duas mesas (two tables, feminine).

Numbers from Eleven to Nineteen

The teens in Portuguese have their own unique forms, similar to English. You’ll need to memorize these individually, as they don’t follow the same pattern as larger numbers.

Onze – 11
Doze – 12
Treze – 13
Quatorze – 14
Quinze – 15
Dezesseis – 16
Dezessete – 17
Dezoito – 18
Dezenove – 19

From sixteen onward, you can see a pattern emerging. Dezesseis, dezessete, dezoito, and dezenove all begin with dez (ten) followed by the single digit. This pattern will help you remember these numbers more easily. Notice that dezesseis and dezessete add an extra e in the middle, while dezoito and dezenove do not.

Counting by Tens: Twenty to Ninety

Once you master the tens, you’ll be able to form any number up to ninety-nine. Here are the multiples of ten:

Vinte – 20
Trinta – 30
Quarenta – 40
Cinquenta – 50
Sessenta – 60
Setenta – 70
Oitenta – 80
Noventa – 90

These words share similarities with the basic numbers you learned earlier. Trinta resembles três, quarenta echoes quatro, and cinquenta relates to cinco. Recognizing these connections makes memorization much easier.

Forming Compound Numbers: Twenty-One to Ninety-Nine

Creating numbers between twenty-one and ninety-nine is straightforward in Portuguese. You simply combine the tens word with e (and) plus the single digit. Here’s how it works:

Vinte e um – 21
Vinte e dois – 22
Trinta e três – 33
Quarenta e cinco – 45
Cinquenta e sete – 57
Sessenta e oito – 68
Setenta e nove – 79
Oitenta e quatro – 84
Noventa e seis – 96

Remember that um and dois still change according to gender when used in compound numbers. So while you say vinte e um when counting, you would say vinte e um anos (twenty-one years, masculine) but vinte e uma pessoas (twenty-one people, feminine when referring to a feminine noun).

One Hundred and Beyond: Larger Round Numbers

Now let’s explore the hundreds. The word for one hundred is cem, but when you want to express numbers like one hundred and one, you use cento instead.

Cem – 100 (exactly)
Cento e um – 101
Duzentos/Duzentas – 200
Trezentos/Trezentas – 300
Quatrocentos/Quatrocentas – 400
Quinhentos/Quinhentas – 500
Seiscentos/Seiscentas – 600
Setecentos/Setecentas – 700
Oitocentos/Oitocentas – 800
Novecentos/Novecentas – 900

An important distinction: use cem when expressing exactly one hundred, as in cem reais (one hundred reais). However, for any number from 101 to 199, use cento, such as cento e dez (110) or cento e noventa e nove (199).

Notice that from two hundred onward, these numbers have gender variations. You would say duzentos livros (two hundred books, masculine) but duzentas páginas (two hundred pages, feminine). This gender agreement applies to all hundreds from 200 to 900.

Building Complex Numbers in the Hundreds

Constructing numbers like 247 or 586 follows a logical pattern. You state the hundreds, add e (and), then continue with the tens and ones. Here are some examples:

Duzentos e quarenta e sete – 247
Trezentos e cinquenta e dois – 352
Quinhentos e oitenta e seis – 586
Setecentos e noventa e um – 791

The word e appears twice in these constructions: once after the hundreds and again between the tens and ones. This is the standard way to express these numbers in Portuguese, though in casual speech, some speakers might omit the first e.

When the number in the tens place is zero, you only use one e. For instance, 305 would be trezentos e cinco, not trezentos e zero e cinco. Similarly, 408 is quatrocentos e oito.

Understanding Mil: One Thousand and Beyond

The word for thousand in Portuguese is mil. Unlike English, where we say one thousand, Portuguese speakers simply say mil for 1,000. You don’t need to put um before it.

Mil – 1,000
Dois mil – 2,000
Três mil – 3,000
Dez mil – 10,000
Vinte mil – 20,000
Cem mil – 100,000
Novecentos e noventa e nove mil – 999,000

Unlike the hundreds, mil does not change for gender or number. It’s always mil, whether you’re talking about masculine or feminine nouns. However, when you reach the millions, things work differently, which we’ll explore shortly.

Forming Numbers in the Thousands

Creating numbers like 5,432 or 87,654 is straightforward once you understand the pattern. You state the thousands, then continue with the hundreds, tens, and ones, using e appropriately.

Mil e quinhentos – 1,500
Dois mil e vinte e três – 2,023
Cinco mil quatrocentos e trinta e dois – 5,432
Quinze mil oitocentos e setenta e seis – 15,876
Oitenta e sete mil seiscentos e cinquenta e quatro – 87,654

Notice that when you have a complete hundred (like 500 or 800), you place e before it: mil e quinhentos. However, when the hundreds aren’t round, you typically don’t use e between the thousands and hundreds: cinco mil quatrocentos e trinta (5,430).

In practice, there’s some flexibility here. Some speakers use e more liberally, while others follow stricter rules. Both dois mil e trezentos and dois mil trezentos are acceptable for 2,300, though the version with e is more formal and traditional.

Reaching the Millions: Um Milhão and Beyond

When you reach one million, Portuguese uses um milhão. Notice that unlike mil, you do use um before milhão. This word also changes in the plural form.

Um milhão – 1,000,000
Dois milhões – 2,000,000
Cinco milhões – 5,000,000
Dez milhões – 10,000,000
Cem milhões – 100,000,000
Novecentos e noventa e nove milhões – 999,000,000

The plural form milhões is used for any number greater than one million. So you say dois milhões, três milhões, and so on. When combining millions with other numbers, you use de (of) before the remaining numbers if there’s nothing in the thousands place.

For example, 2,000,500 is dois milhões e quinhentos, but 2,500,000 is dois milhões e quinhentos mil. The number 1,234,567 would be um milhão duzentos e trinta e quatro mil quinhentos e sessenta e sete.

Practical Applications: Using Numbers in Daily Situations

Understanding numbers theoretically is one thing, but using them in real-life situations is where your learning truly comes alive. Let’s explore common scenarios where you’ll need numbers.

Shopping and Prices

When shopping, you’ll constantly hear and use numbers. Prices in Portugal and other Portuguese-speaking countries are typically expressed in the local currency. In Portugal, for instance, you might hear Isso custa vinte e cinco euros (That costs twenty-five euros). In most contexts, the currency comes after the number.

If something costs 3.50, you would say três euros e cinquenta or more casually três e cinquenta. When asking how much something costs, you say Quanto custa? or Qual é o preço? Being comfortable with numbers helps you understand responses and negotiate prices at markets.

Telling Time

Time expressions heavily rely on numbers. To say what time it is, you use É (it is) for one o’clock and São (they are) for all other hours. É uma hora means it’s one o’clock, while São três horas means it’s three o’clock.

For times like 3:15, you say São três e quinze or São três e um quarto (three and a quarter). For 3:30, you can say São três e trinta or São três e meia (three and a half). Minutes past the hour use e (and), while minutes before the hour traditionally use para or para as, though digital time has made the former more common in everyday speech.

Dates and Years

Dates follow a specific pattern in Portuguese. The format is typically day, month, year. For example, January 15, 2024 would be written as 15/01/2024 and spoken as quinze de janeiro de dois mil e vinte e quatro.

Years are read as complete numbers. The year 2023 is dois mil e vinte e três, not broken into parts like in English. Historical years follow the same pattern: 1985 is mil novecentos e oitenta e cinco.

Phone Numbers

Phone numbers are typically read digit by digit in Portuguese, though some speakers group them in pairs. A number like 123-4567 might be read as um dois três, quatro cinco seis sete or doze trinta e quatro, cinquenta e seis, sessenta e sete. Mobile numbers, which often have nine digits, are commonly grouped as well.

Ages and Birthdays

To express age, you use the verb ter (to have) rather than to be, as in English. Tenho vinte e cinco anos means I am twenty-five years old, literally I have twenty-five years. When asking someone’s age, you say Quantos anos você tem? in most situations, or Qual é a sua idade? more formally.

Number Agreement: Gender and Plurality

Portuguese numbers interact with nouns in specific ways, particularly regarding gender. As mentioned earlier, um/uma and dois/duas change based on the gender of the noun they modify. The hundreds from 200 to 900 also have masculine and feminine forms.

When using these numbers, you must match them to the noun’s gender. Trezentos homens (three hundred men) uses the masculine form, while trezentas mulheres (three hundred women) uses the feminine form. This agreement is essential for proper Portuguese.

Numbers themselves don’t change for plural versus singular nouns (except milhão/milhões), but they do trigger plural noun forms when greater than one. So you have um livro (one book) but dois livros (two books), vinte livros (twenty books), and so forth.

Ordinal Numbers: First, Second, Third

While we’ve focused on cardinal numbers (one, two, three), ordinal numbers (first, second, third) are equally important. These numbers indicate position or order.

Primeiro/Primeira – First
Segundo/Segunda – Second
Terceiro/Terceira – Third
Quarto/Quarta – Fourth
Quinto/Quinta – Fifth
Sexto/Sexta – Sixth
Sétimo/Sétima – Seventh
Oitavo/Oitava – Eighth
Nono/Nona – Ninth
Décimo/Décima – Tenth

Ordinal numbers have both masculine and feminine forms and must agree with the nouns they modify. You would say o primeiro dia (the first day, masculine) but a primeira vez (the first time, feminine).

After tenth, ordinal numbers become less common in everyday speech. For higher positions, many Portuguese speakers use cardinal numbers instead, particularly in addresses. The second floor might be o segundo andar, but the 15th floor is often o andar quinze rather than o décimo quinto andar.

Written versus Spoken Numbers

How you write numbers in Portuguese depends on context. In formal writing, numbers from one to ten are typically spelled out, while larger numbers use numerals. However, round numbers like cem, mil, or um milhão might be written as words even when large.

In formal documents, you might see numbers written both as numerals and words for clarity, particularly in legal or financial contexts. For instance, a contract might state R$ 5.000,00 (cinco mil reais) to prevent any misunderstanding.

Notice that Portuguese uses periods for thousands separators and commas for decimals, opposite to English convention. So while English writes 1,000.50, Portuguese writes 1.000,50. This difference is crucial when reading prices, statistics, or financial information.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Learning Portuguese numbers comes with typical pitfalls. One common mistake is forgetting gender agreement. Remember that um/uma, dois/duas, and the hundreds from 200-900 must match the noun’s gender. Practice with various nouns to internalize this pattern.

Another frequent error is using um before mil. While you say um milhão, you never say um mil—it’s just mil. Similarly, mixing up cem and cento is common. Remember: cem for exactly 100, cento for 101-199.

Students sometimes struggle with when to use e in compound numbers. The general rule is to use e between tens and ones (vinte e um), and typically after round hundreds and thousands when followed by smaller numbers (mil e quinhentos). However, regional variations exist, and listening to native speakers will help you develop an ear for natural usage.

Tips for Memorizing Portuguese Numbers

Mastering numbers requires consistent practice. Start by focusing on 0-10 until they become automatic. Then expand to 11-20, followed by the tens. Once comfortable with these foundations, larger numbers become combinations of elements you already know.

Practice by counting objects around you, reading prices when shopping, or noting house numbers during walks. Set your phone or computer to Portuguese to see numbers regularly. Watch Portuguese videos with subtitles and pay attention to how numbers are written and spoken.

Create flashcards focusing on tricky areas like the teens or the hundreds with gender variations. Use spaced repetition apps to review regularly. Speaking numbers aloud, even when alone, helps develop muscle memory for pronunciation and builds confidence.

Try mental math in Portuguese. When you see a price, translate it into Portuguese in your mind. When someone mentions a year, think of how you’d say it in Portuguese. These small daily practices accumulate into genuine fluency with numbers.

Cultural Notes About Numbers in Portuguese-Speaking Countries

Numbers carry cultural significance beyond their mathematical value. In different Portuguese-speaking countries, you’ll notice variations in how numbers appear in daily life. Phone number formats differ between Portugal and various countries, affecting how people recite them.

Lottery culture is strong in many Portuguese-speaking regions, and you’ll often hear animated discussions about lucky numbers. Sports jersey numbers spark passionate conversations, especially regarding football players. Understanding these cultural contexts enriches your language learning beyond mere vocabulary.

Business hours, meal times, and social schedules all revolve around numbers. Lunch might start around meio-dia (noon) or uma hora (one o’clock), while dinner often happens at oito horas (eight o’clock) or later in some regions. Being familiar with these timing conventions helps you navigate social situations smoothly.

Advanced Number Concepts

Beyond basic counting, Portuguese has special terms for mathematical concepts. Metade means half, terço means third (as a fraction), quarto means quarter, and dobro means double. Triplo means triple, and múltiplo means multiple.

Percentages use por cento, so 25% is vinte e cinco por cento. Decimals use vírgula (comma) where English uses point, so 3.14 is read as três vírgula catorze or três vírgula um quatro.

For temperatures, Portuguese-speaking countries primarily use Celsius. You might hear Está fazendo trinta graus (It’s thirty degrees), and understanding these numbers becomes literally vital when checking weather forecasts or discussing climate.

Conclusion

Mastering numbers in Portuguese from one to a million opens countless opportunities for meaningful communication and cultural connection. While the journey requires dedication and practice, the logical patterns underlying Portuguese numbers make them more accessible than they might initially appear. Remember that gender agreement, proper use of connectors like e, and understanding when to use special forms like cem versus cento are key to sounding natural. Continue practicing through real-world application, whether counting items, telling time, discussing prices, or expressing dates. With consistent effort and exposure to native Portuguese speakers, these numbers will soon become second nature, allowing you to navigate Portuguese-speaking environments with confidence and ease.