How to use Portuguese numbers in names, ages, and addresses

Introduction

This article explains how to use Portuguese numbers in names, ages, and addresses for English-speaking beginners learning Brazilian Portuguese. You will learn key vocabulary, simple patterns, practical examples, and common mistakes so you can read forms, say ages, and give addresses with confidence.

Why learning numbers in names, ages, and addresses matters

Numbers appear everywhere: on identification, in conversations about age, on street signs, and in addresses for deliveries. Understanding how Brazilian Portuguese uses numbers helps you avoid misunderstandings and improves day-to-day communication.

Basic number vocabulary (0–20)

Start with these core words. The first time each main Portuguese word appears it is emphasized.

zero — zero

um — one (masculine)

uma — one (feminine)

dois — two (masculine)

duas — two (feminine)

três — three

quatro — four

cinco — five

seis — six

sete — seven

oito — eight

nove — nine

dez — ten

onze — eleven

doze — twelve

treze — thirteen

quatorze — fourteen

quinze — fifteen

dezesseis — sixteen

dezessete — seventeen

dezoito — eighteen

dezenove — nineteen

vinte — twenty

Pronouns and gender with numbers in names

In Portuguese, some numbers change form to match the gender of the noun they describe. For names this matters when indicating family members, titles, or units that have gender.

Use um and dois for masculine nouns and uma and duas for feminine nouns. For example:

Dois amigos — two male friends or mixed group

Duas amigas — two female friends

When referring to a name like Maria Souza, you do not change the number inside the name, but if you say how many of a certain person, match gender: Três Marias (three women named Maria).

Using numbers with ages

To say how old someone is, Portuguese uses the verb ter — to have — in Brazilian Portuguese. The structure is: subject + ter + age + anos (years). For a single year old use ano not anos.

Examples:

Eu tenho vinte e cinco anos
I am twenty-five years old

Ela tem um ano
She is one year old

Ele tem dois anos
He is two years old

Beginner tip: do not use the verb ser (to be) for age in Portuguese. In English you say I am 30; in Portuguese say Eu tenho 30 anos.

Short practice sentences for age

Quantos anos você tem? — How old are you?

Tenho trinta anos. — I am thirty years old.

Meu filho tem cinco anos. — My son is five years old.

Ordinal numbers and names

Ordinal numbers express position or rank and are common in apartment numbers, floors, and titles. Most ordinals are formed by adding -o for masculine or -a for feminine to the base number.

Common ordinals:

primeiro / primeira — first

segundo / segunda — second

terceiro / terceira — third

quarto / quarta — fourth

quinto / quinta — fifth

Example uses:

Apartamento 3º — Apartment 3 (you may also hear terceiro)

Rua Segunda — Second Street (if the street name is feminine)

Note: On addresses people often use cardinal numbers rather than spoken ordinals, for example Rua 7 instead of Rua Sétima.

Reading and giving addresses

Addresses in Brazil typically include logradouro (street type), name, number, complement, neighborhood, city, and zip code. Learn the basic address words.

rua — street

avenida — avenue

praça — square

número — number

apartamento — apartment

bloco — block

bairro — neighborhood

CEP — Brazilian postal code

Example addresses and how to say them

Rua das Flores, 123
Rua das Flores, número 123

Avenida Paulista, 1578, ap. 45, Bela Vista
Avenida Paulista, número 1578, apartamento 45, bairro Bela Vista

When giving an address aloud, say the street type and name, then the number. You can add complemento if needed: casa, apto, or bloco A.

Telephone numbers, ZIP codes, and common formats

Brazilian formats use specific groupings. For telephone numbers include the area code in parentheses, then the number with a hyphen between groups. ZIP codes are written as five digits, a hyphen, then three digits.

Examples:

(11) 91234-5678 — mobile in São Paulo area code 11

Telefone: (21) 3344-5566 — landline in Rio de Janeiro area code 21

CEP 01311-200 — postal code example

When spelling numbers over a phone or form, say each group slowly: zero um três, um um, nove um dois três quatro, cinco seis sete oito for clarity.

Using numbers in names and titles

Some Brazilian names and business names include numbers. Read them as you would a regular phrase, often using ordinals or cardinals based on the context.

Examples:

Grupo Três Corações — Group Three Hearts (a business-style name)

Residencial Dois Irmãos — Residential Two Brothers

Tip: Do not translate the number when referring to a proper name; keep the original Portuguese: Três, Dois, or Sete.

Common beginner mistakes and how to avoid them

1. Using ser instead of ter for age. Correct: Eu tenho 20 anos. Incorrect: Eu sou 20 anos.

2. Forgetting gender agreement with um/uma and dois/duas. Match the number to the noun: Duas cadeiras not dois cadeiras.

3. Translating proper names. Keep numbers in proper names as they are: say Rua Quatro exactly as written.

4. Reading phone and CEP numbers too quickly. Group digits and say pauses: (11) 9 1234-5678 is clearer when grouped.

Practice exercises for beginners

Read these aloud and translate.

1) Minha irmã tem sete anos. — My sister is seven years old.

2) Moro na Rua 45, apartamento 12. — I live on Street 45, apartment 12.

3) Quantos anos ele tem? — How old is he?

4) O CEP é 20031-144. — The postal code is 20031-144.

Practice tip: replace numbers with ones that match your life, e.g., your age or apartment number, to make the sentences personal and memorable.

Quick reference cheat-sheet

How to say age: Eu tenho + number + anos/ano
Example: Eu tenho vinte e oito anos.

How to give an address: street type + name, número + number + complemento + bairro + cidade
Example: Avenida Brasil, número 500, casa 2, bairro Centro, São Paulo.

How to read phone numbers: (area) xxxx-xxxx or (area) 9xxxx-xxxx for mobiles
Example: (31) 99876-5432

Conclusion

Learning how to use Portuguese numbers in names, ages, and addresses gives you practical skills for daily life in Brazil. Start with cardinal numbers, remember gender agreement, use ter for age, and follow common address formats. Practice with real examples like street signs, forms, and simple conversations to build confidence quickly.