Introduction
This article explains how to write prices in Brazilian Portuguese for shopping and everyday life. You will learn currency names, number formatting, common phrases, polite questions, price tags, receipts, and short messages for chats or emails. Examples use Brazilian Portuguese vocabulary and realistic situations for beginners and intermediate learners.
- Basic currency and number format
- Common written phrases for prices
- Asking and answering about price — polite expressions
- Writing about installments and payment methods
- Writing price tags, signs, and labels
- Common mistakes and how to avoid them
- Short practice exercises a beginner can write
- Tips for writing in different registers
- Conclusion
Basic currency and number format
In Brazil the currency is called real (singular) and reais (plural). The symbol is R$ and the decimal separator is a comma, not a dot. Thousands are often separated by a period. When writing prices, put the symbol before the number: R$ 12,50 or R$ 1.234,99.
Vocabulary
real (singular) — R$ 1,00
reais (plural) — R$ 2,00
centavo / centavos — small units, 1 real = 100 centavos (rarely used in speech: say cinquenta centavos)
How to write whole numbers and cents
Use a comma to separate reais from centavos. For exact whole numbers you may write R$ 10 or R$ 10,00. For amounts less than one real write R$ 0,50 or 50 centavos.
Examples
R$ 5,00
R$ 0,75
R$ 1.200,00
Common written phrases for prices
Learn short phrases used on price tags, menus, receipts, and messages. These are useful for writing labels, notes, or simple emails.
Price tag phrases
Preço: R$ 39,90
De: R$ 59,90 — Por: R$ 39,90
À vista: R$ 120,00
Parcelado em 3x de R$ 40,00
Menu and food
Prato do dia: R$ 18,50
Suco natural: R$ 6,00
Writing prices in sentences
When writing full sentences, include the currency and use commas for decimals. Use reais or centavos when you want to be explicit and the context calls for words instead of symbols.
Examples for notes and messages
O ingresso custa R$ 25,00.
Posso pagar R$ 10,00 agora e o restante amanhã?
São cinco reais e cinquenta centavos.
Asking and answering about price — polite expressions
When shopping or writing to customer service, use polite question forms. Use você for informal or o senhor / a senhora for formal contexts. In writing, você is common in stores and online chats.
Useful questions
Quanto custa isso?
Qual é o preço deste produto?
Tem desconto se eu comprar dois?
Posso pagar com cartão?
Common answers
Custa R$ 45,00.
O preço é R$ 29,90 à vista.
Sim, parcelamos em até 6x no cartão.
Writing price information for receipts and invoices
Receipts and invoices use a clear, consistent format: description, quantity, unit price, total price. Use cols like Quant., Valor unit., Valor total. Keep the number formatting consistent with comma for decimals.
Example invoice lines
Quantidade: 2
Descrição: Camiseta básica
Valor unit.: R$ 49,90
Valor total: R$ 99,80
Impostos e descontos are shown separately when needed:
Desconto: R$ 10,00
Total a pagar: R$ 89,80
Writing about installments and payment methods
Brazilian stores commonly offer parcelamento (installments). When writing this, show the number of installments and the amount per installment. Use x to indicate times: 3x de R$ 30,00 means three payments of R$ 30,00.
Installment phrases
Parcelado em 6x de R$ 120,00 sem juros
3x no cartão
À vista com 10% de desconto
Examples for messages, chats, and emails
Practical short messages you might write to a seller, friend, or service provider. Keep tone polite and clear.
Chat asking price
Olá, quanto custa a jaqueta azul?
Email to landlord
Olá, o aluguel de junho ficou em R$ 1.200,00, certo?
Note for roommate
Divida do mercado: R$ 45,60 cada
Writing price tags, signs, and labels
Price tags are short and must be unambiguous. Use the R$ symbol, decimals with comma, and avoid extra punctuation. For discounts include the original price crossed out and the new price clearly labeled Por or Promoção.
Label examples
R$ 79,90
Promoção: de R$ 129,90 por R$ 79,90
Leve 2 por R$ 25,00
Grammar and punctuation tips relevant to prices
Decimals use comma. Do not mix dot and comma for the same figure. Currency symbol R$ precedes the number with a space: R$ 50,00. When writing spelled-out amounts in sentences, agree number words with gender when needed (e.g., uma nota de cem reais — note the feminine uma with nota). Centavos are usually masculine: cinquenta centavos.
Example of spelled-out money
Eu tenho cinquenta reais.
Ela pagou vinte e cinco centavos pela balinha.
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
Beginners often use a dot for decimals or omit the R$ symbol. Avoid mixing formats like R$ 10.5 or 10,50 R$. Also be careful with singular/plural reais and centavos.
Frequent errors
Wrong: R$ 10.50
Correct: R$ 10,50
Wrong: 1.000,50 R$
Correct: R$ 1.000,50
Wrong: um real e cinquenta
Correct: um real e cinquenta centavos
Practical writing patterns for learners
Use these templates when writing prices in common situations. Replace the bolded parts with your details.
O produto custa R$ X,XX.
Temos promoção: de R$ X,XX por R$ Y,YY.
Posso pagar em Xx de R$ Y,YY no cartão?
O total da compra ficou em R$ X.XXX,XX.
Short practice exercises a beginner can write
Exercises help you produce realistic sentences. Write answers using the proper number format and vocabulary.
1. You bought bread for R$ 3,50 and milk for R$ 4,20. Write the total on a note.
Suggested answer: Total: R$ 7,70
2. Ask a seller if you can pay in three installments of R$ 40,00.
Suggested question: Posso pagar em 3x de R$ 40,00?
3. Write a message to a friend: you will pay your share of the electricity bill R$ 62,30.
Suggested message: Sua parte da conta de luz: R$ 62,30
Realistic dialogues for practice
Short dialogues help learners write and read prices in context.
Vendedor: Quanto custa essa blusa?
Cliente: Custa R$ 89,90.
Cliente: Tem desconto se eu comprar duas?
Vendedor: Sim, leva 2 por R$ 150,00.
Tips for writing in different registers
Formal writing like emails or receipts should use complete sentences and the currency symbol. Informal chats can drop the symbol and use abbreviations like 20 reais or 20 pila (slang) — but avoid slang in formal contexts.
Formal email example
Prezado(a), o total do serviço é R$ 450,00, com pagamento em até 3x no cartão.
Informal chat example
Fica R$ 30,00 só hoje!
Conclusion
Writing prices in Brazilian Portuguese is straightforward once you learn the currency name, the R$ symbol, and the comma decimal rule. Use clear formats on tags, polite questions in chats, and consistent punctuation for receipts or emails. Practice the short templates and dialogues to build confidence when shopping, messaging, or writing notes in everyday life.
