Numbers in Portuguese (Portugal)
Português
Numbers in Portuguese (Portugal) follow a decimal system with unique features in forming numbers. Spoken primarily in Portugal and Brazil, with over 180 million speakers, it belongs to the Romance language family. The counting system combines specific words for numbers zero to quinze, with regular patterns for higher numbers. Notably, numbers like dezasseis (16) and dezassete (17) reflect the pattern of combining ten with units. The language's structure makes counting intuitive yet rich in historical and cultural nuances, making the numbers in Portuguese (Portugal) both fascinating and practical for daily use and formal contexts.
Number system
Portuguese (Portugal) uses a decimal base system, where numbers from zero to quinze have unique words: zero, um, dois, três, quatro, cinco, seis, sete, oito, nove, dez, onze, doze, treze, catorze, quinze. Numbers from sixteen to nineteen are formed by combining ten and units: dezasseis (16), dezassete (17), dezoito (18), dezanove (19). Tens are named specifically: vinte (20), trinta (30), quarenta (40), etc. For example, 42 is 'quarenta e dois' (40 and 2), combining the tens and units with 'e' (and). Hundreds are formed with specific words: cem (100), duzentos (200), trezentos (300), etc. For 146, it's 'cento e quarenta e seis' (100 and 40 and 6). Thousands are built as 'mil' (1000), and larger numbers use 'milhão' (million), 'mil milhões' (billion), and 'um bilião' (trillion).
Number list (29)
Counting rules
Number Words from Zero to Fifteen
Numbers zero to quinze have unique words: zero, um, dois, três, quatro, cinco, seis, sete, oito, nove, dez, onze, doze, treze, catorze, quinze. For example, 'sete' (7) and 'quinze' (15) are specific words, not derived from other patterns.
Numbers Sixteen to Nineteen
Dezasseis (16), dezassete (17), dezoito (18), dezanove (19) are formed by combining ten and units, with the pattern 'dez' + unit, e.g., 'dezasseis' (16), 'dezassete' (17).
Tens and Units
Tens have specific words: vinte (20), trinta (30), quarenta (40), cinquenta (50), sessenta (60), setenta (70), oitenta (80), noventa (90). Units are added with 'e' (and), e.g., 35 is 'trinta e cinco'.
Hundreds
Hundreds are 'cem' (100), 'cento' (used in compound numbers), and specific words for each hundred: duzentos (200), trezentos (300), etc. For example, 146 is 'cento e quarenta e seis'.
Compound Numbers
Numbers like 42 are formed as 'quarenta e dois' (40 and 2), and 78 as 'setenta e oito' (70 and 8). The 'e' links tens and units, but not thousands and hundreds unless ending with a hundred like 'dois mil e trezentos' (2,300).
Large Numbers
Large numbers use the long scale: 'milhão' (million, 10^6), 'mil milhões' (billion, 10^9), 'um bilião' (trillion, 10^12). For example, 1,000,000 is 'um milhão', and 1,000,000,000 is 'mil milhões'.
Unique features
The use of 'e' (and) to connect tens and units, as in 'trinta e cinco' (35), is consistent and essential for clarity.
Numbers from 16 to 19 are formed by combining 'dez' with units, e.g., 'dezasseis' (16), unlike English which uses unique words.
The word 'cem' (100) is used for exactly 100, but 'cento' is used in compound numbers like 'cento e quarenta e seis' (146).
Large numbers follow the long scale, with 'milhão' (million) and 'bilião' (trillion), contrasting with the short scale used in American English.
Portuguese has borrowed and adapted words for large numbers, like 'mil milhões' for billion, reflecting European numerical traditions.
Cultural context
Portuguese (Portugal) is spoken primarily in Portugal and Brazil, with a rich cultural heritage that influences daily life, commerce, and tradition. Numbers appear in various contexts such as trade, festivals, and historical records. The number 13, considered unlucky in some cultures, is less taboo here, but the number 7 remains culturally significant. Large numbers like 'um milhão' are used in economic and demographic data, while smaller numbers are common in everyday transactions. The language's structure reflects a blend of historical influences and practical needs, making understanding numbers essential for both formal and informal communication.
Fun facts
The number 'dezasseis' (16) is formed by combining 'dez' (10) and 'seis' (6), showcasing a pattern similar to other Romance languages but with a unique spelling.
Unlike English, Portuguese uses 'mil' for 1,000 and 'milhão' for million, which are borrowed from Latin roots, emphasizing its Romance language heritage.
The formation of numbers 16-19 as 'dez' + unit is a regular pattern, but the use of 'e' to connect tens and units is a distinctive feature of Portuguese.
Historically, the long scale system used in Portuguese for large numbers was adopted from European traditions, contrasting with the short scale used in the US.
For very large numbers, Portuguese combines words like 'mil milhões' (billion) and 'um bilião' (trillion), which are less familiar to English speakers but standard in European Portuguese.
Frequently asked questions
How do you count to 10 in Portuguese (Portugal)?
1 - um, 2 - dois, 3 - três, 4 - quatro, 5 - cinco, 6 - seis, 7 - sete, 8 - oito, 9 - nove, 10 - dez.
What number base does Portuguese (Portugal) use?
Portuguese (Portugal) uses a decimal (base-10) system, evidenced by the specific words for ten ('dez'), twenty ('vinte'), and hundred ('cem'), and the pattern of combining tens and units with 'e'.
How do you say 42 in Portuguese (Portugal)?
42 is 'quarenta e dois' — formed by 'quarenta' (40) plus 'dois' (2), linked with 'e' (and).
How do you say 100 in Portuguese (Portugal)?
100 is 'cem'. For numbers like 146, it's 'cento e quarenta e seis', where 'cento' is used in compound numbers.
How many people speak Portuguese (Portugal)?
Approximately 10 million in Portugal and 170 million in Brazil, making it a widely spoken Romance language.
Is Portuguese (Portugal) related to other languages?
Yes, it belongs to the Indo-European family, specifically the Romance branch, related closely to Spanish, Italian, and French.
What makes Portuguese (Portugal) counting unique?
The consistent use of 'e' to connect tens and units, and the formation of numbers 16-19 by combining 'dez' with units, are distinctive features.