How do I count to 100 in Portuguese?

Why Learn to Count in Portuguese?

Numbers are everywhere—from telling the time and handling money to giving your age or phone number. Being able to count fluently in Portuguese helps you navigate daily life, understand prices, and communicate more effectively. Plus, it’s a great way to become familiar with Portuguese pronunciation and patterns.

Portuguese Numbers 1-10

Let’s start with the basics. The numbers from 1 to 10 are the foundation, and you’ll use them often. Here they are with pronunciation guidance:

• 1 – um (oong) [masculine], uma (ooma) [feminine]
• 2 – dois (doysh) [masculine], duas (doo-ash) [feminine]
• 3 – três (trehsh)
• 4 – quatro (KWAH-troo)
• 5 – cinco (SEEN-koo)
• 6 – seis (saysh)
• 7 – sete (SEH-chee)
• 8 – oito (OY-too)
• 9 – nove (NAW-vee)
• 10 – dez (dehz)

Numbers 11-19 in Portuguese

The numbers from 11 to 19 have unique forms, but follow a recognizable pattern:

• 11 – onze (ON-zee)
• 12 – doze (DOH-zee)
• 13 – treze (TREH-zee)
• 14 – quatorze (ka-TOR-zee) or catorze (ka-TOR-zee)
• 15 – quinze (KEEN-zee)
• 16 – dezesseis (deh-zeh-SAYS)
• 17 – dezessete (deh-zeh-SEH-chee)
• 18 – dezoito (deh-ZOY-too)
• 19 – dezenove (deh-zeh-NAW-vee)

Counting by Tens: 20 to 100

Now, let’s look at the multiples of ten, which are the building blocks for all numbers up to 100:

• 20 – vinte (VEEN-chee)
• 30 – trinta (TREEN-tah)
• 40 – quarenta (kwah-REN-tah)
• 50 – cinquenta (seen-KWEN-tah)
• 60 – sessenta (seh-SEN-tah)
• 70 – setenta (seh-TEN-tah)
• 80 – oitenta (oy-TEN-tah)
• 90 – noventa (noh-VEN-tah)
• 100 – cem (SANG)

How to Form Numbers 21-99 in Portuguese

To form numbers between the tens, combine the multiple of ten with the unit number using the word “e” (and). For example:

• 21 – vinte e um
• 32 – trinta e dois
• 47 – quarenta e sete
• 58 – cinquenta e oito
• 64 – sessenta e quatro
• 79 – setenta e nove
• 86 – oitenta e seis
• 93 – noventa e três

Simply replace the tens and units as needed. Note that “e” is always used between the tens and the units.

Quick Reference Table: 1 to 100 in Portuguese

Here’s a simple breakdown to help you quickly reference the numbers:

• 1-10: um, dois, três, quatro, cinco, seis, sete, oito, nove, dez
• 11-19: onze, doze, treze, quatorze/catorze, quinze, dezesseis, dezessete, dezoito, dezenove
• 20-100: vinte, trinta, quarenta, cinquenta, sessenta, setenta, oitenta, noventa, cem

Tips for Mastering Portuguese Numbers

• Practice aloud: Repeating numbers out loud helps solidify pronunciation and recall.
• Use flashcards: Write numbers on one side and their Portuguese equivalents on the other for quick review.
• Count objects: Count everyday items like steps, fruit, or cars to practice in real life.
• Listen to native speakers: Use platforms like Talkpal to hear and practice with authentic pronunciation.
• Play number games: Simple games like bingo or number puzzles can make learning fun and interactive.

Common Questions About Portuguese Numbers

Do numbers have gender in Portuguese?

Yes, some numbers have masculine and feminine forms, especially “one” (um/uma) and “two” (dois/duas), depending on the noun they describe. For example, “um carro” (a car – masculine) and “uma casa” (a house – feminine).

Is there a difference between European and Brazilian Portuguese numbers?

For basic numbers, pronunciation may vary slightly, but the written numbers are the same. Both dialects use the same number words up to 100.

Practice Makes Perfect

Counting to 100 in Portuguese is an achievable and rewarding goal. With a bit of daily practice—repeating, listening, and using numbers in context—you’ll soon be able to count confidently. Don’t forget to explore resources like Talkpal for interactive exercises and pronunciation support as you continue your Portuguese language journey.