How to count to 10 in Brazilian Portuguese

Introduction

Learning to count from 1 to 10 in Brazilian Portuguese opens the door to countless everyday interactions. Whether you're ordering two coffees in São Paulo, telling someone you'll arrive in five minutes, or buying three pastéis at a street market, these ten numbers form the foundation of practical communication in Portuguese.

This guide takes you through each number systematically, explaining not just what to say but how to say it correctly and when to use each form. You'll discover that Portuguese numbers have some unique features that don't exist in English, but with clear explanations and plenty of examples, you'll master them step by step.

Understanding numbers as building blocks

Before diving into Portuguese numbers, let's clarify what we mean by numbers in language learning. Numbers are words that represent quantities or positions. In English, we use numbers constantly without thinking about it. We say "one cup of coffee" or "the third door on the left." These same concepts exist in Portuguese, but with some interesting differences.

In language learning, we call the counting numbers (one, two, three) cardinal numbers. These are the numbers you use to count objects or express quantities. Portuguese cardinal numbers work similarly to English ones in their basic function. They answer the question "how many?"

The Portuguese number system from 1 to 10 uses unique words for each number, just like English does. Unlike some aspects of Portuguese that might seem completely foreign, numbers follow logical patterns that make them easier to remember once you understand the system.

The complete list of numbers from 1 to 10

Here are the numbers from 1 to 10 in Brazilian Portuguese:

1. um/uma (oom/OO-mah)
2. dois/duas (DOH-ees/DOO-ahs)
3. três (TREH-s)
4. quatro (KWAH-troo)
5. cinco (SEEN-koo)
6. seis (SAY-s)
7. sete (SEH-chee)
8. oito (OH-ee-too)
9. nove (NAW-vee)
10. dez (DEH-z)

You might have noticed that the first two numbers have two forms each. This is one of the key differences between Portuguese and English numbers. We'll explore this in detail in the next section.

Why some numbers change form

In Portuguese, nouns are either masculine or feminine. A noun is simply a word for a person, place, thing, or idea. Every single noun in Portuguese has a gender, even objects that have nothing to do with biological sex. For example, "livro" (book) is masculine, while "mesa" (table) is feminine.

This gender system affects how numbers one and two appear in sentences. The number one becomes "um" when talking about masculine nouns and "uma" when talking about feminine nouns. Similarly, two becomes "dois" for masculine nouns and "duas" for feminine nouns.

Think of it this way: in English, we change "a" to "an" depending on the following sound. Portuguese changes "um" to "uma" depending on the gender of the following noun. It's a similar concept of agreement, just based on a different principle.

Here are some examples:

• um carro (one car) - masculine
• uma casa (one house) - feminine
• dois carros (two cars) - masculine
• duas casas (two houses) - feminine

Numbers three through ten don't change form regardless of what noun follows them. This makes them simpler to use than one and two.

Pronunciation guide for each number

Um/Uma (one)

The masculine form "um" sounds like the English word "room" without the R. Keep your lips rounded and make a short, clear sound. The "m" at the end is not fully pronounced as a separate sound. Instead, it nasalizes the vowel before it, meaning you push some air through your nose while saying the "u" sound.

The feminine form "uma" has two syllables. The first syllable sounds the same as "um." The second syllable sounds like "mah" in "mama." The stress falls on the first syllable: OO-mah.

Dois/Duas (two)

"Dois" starts with a sound similar to "dough" in English, followed by "ees" as in "geese." The stress falls on the first syllable: DOH-ees. Make sure to keep the "o" sound pure without gliding into other vowels as we often do in English.

"Duas" begins the same way as "dois" but ends with "ahs" as in "Oz." Again, stress the first syllable: DOO-ahs. The "u" sound here is like the "oo" in "food."

Três (three)

This number contains a sound that doesn't exist in English. The "ê" represents a closed "e" sound, similar to the first part of the word "air" but without the "r" sound. The "s" at the end is pronounced like a regular "s." Think of it as "TREH-s" with the "eh" being a pure vowel sound, not drifting into other vowels.

The "tr" combination at the beginning is pronounced with the tongue in the same position as English, but Brazilians often soften it slightly, making it sound gentler than the English "tr" in "tree."

Quatro (four)

"Quatro" begins with a "kw" sound as in "queen," followed by "ah" as in "father," and ending with "troo" where the "oo" is like in "food" but shorter. The stress falls on the first syllable: KWAH-troo.

The "r" in the middle of this word is a single "r," which in Brazilian Portuguese sounds like a soft "d" in American English, similar to the sound in the middle of "ladder" when spoken quickly.

Cinco (five)

"Cinco" starts with an "s" sound (even though it's spelled with "c"), followed by "een" as in "seen," and ending with "koo" as in "cook" but shorter. Stress the first syllable: SEEN-koo.

The nasal sound in the middle (represented by "in") means you push air through your nose while making the "ee" sound. It's similar to the nasal sound in the French word "cinq" if you're familiar with it.

Seis (six)

"Seis" is one of the simpler numbers to pronounce. It sounds like "SAY-s" with a clear "ay" sound as in "say" followed by an "s." Some Brazilians pronounce it more like "SAY-ees" with a very light "ee" sound before the final "s," but both pronunciations are correct.

The key is to keep the vowel sound pure and not let it drift into other sounds as might happen in English.

Sete (seven)

"Sete" has two syllables: "SEH-chee." The first syllable has an open "e" sound like in "bet." The second syllable might surprise you. The "te" at the end of words in Brazilian Portuguese is often pronounced like "chee" (as in "cheese" but shorter).

This pronunciation of "te" as "chee" is specifically Brazilian. European Portuguese speakers would pronounce it more like "teh."

Oito (eight)

"Oito" is pronounced "OH-ee-too." It has three syllables with the stress on the first one. The first syllable sounds like "oh" in "open," the second like "ee" in "see," and the third like "too" in "took" but shorter.

Make sure to pronounce all three syllables clearly. English speakers sometimes want to compress it into two syllables, but keeping all three distinct is important for being understood.

Nove (nine)

"Nove" sounds like "NAW-vee." The first syllable has an open "o" sound, similar to "aw" in "law." The second syllable sounds like "vee" in "visa." Stress falls on the first syllable.

The "v" sound in Portuguese is identical to English, which makes this aspect of the pronunciation familiar and comfortable for English speakers.

Dez (ten)

"Dez" is a single syllable that sounds like "DEH-z." The "e" is an open vowel sound like in "bed," followed by a "z" sound. Some Brazilians add a very slight "ee" sound after the "e," making it sound almost like "DEH-eez," but as one syllable.

The "z" at the end is fully voiced, meaning your vocal cords vibrate when you make this sound, just like the "z" in "zebra."

Common patterns to help you remember

Looking at these ten numbers, you can identify several patterns that make memorization easier.

Numbers six through nine (seis, sete, oito, nove) all have two syllables with stress on the first syllable. This consistent pattern makes them easier to remember as a group.

Several numbers contain sounds that exist in English, making them more accessible. "Nove" has the familiar "v" sound. "Seis" starts with an "s" sound. "Dez" has a "z" sound at the end. These familiar anchors can help you remember the words.

The numbers that change form (um/uma, dois/duas) are only the first two. Once you get past two, you don't need to worry about gender agreement for the rest of the numbers up to ten.

Memory techniques for English speakers

Creating mental associations between Portuguese numbers and English words can accelerate your learning. Here are some techniques that work well:

"Um" sounds like "room" without the R. Picture one room to remember this number.

"Dois" sounds somewhat like "doze" (as in "dozen"). While a dozen is twelve, not two, the sound similarity can help you remember the word.

"Três" has that "tr" at the beginning, just like "three" does in English. Both the Portuguese and English words for three start with the same consonant cluster.

"Quatro" has "quat" which you can link to "quarter." A quarter is one-fourth, and four in Portuguese is quatro.

"Cinco" starts with a "s" sound, like "sink." Imagine five objects in a sink.

"Seis" sounds like "says." Picture someone who says things six times.

"Sete" ends with that distinctive "chee" sound. Seven angels saying "cheese" for a photo can lock this in memory.

"Oito" has three syllables like "oh-eat-toe." Eight toes that say "oh" when you eat them (in a silly cartoon way) creates a memorable, if absurd, image.

"Nove" sounds like "naughty." Nine naughty cats might help you remember.

"Dez" sounds like "days" with a "z." Ten days with a buzzing "z" sound.

Using numbers in everyday phrases

Numbers rarely appear in isolation in real conversation. Here are common phrases using numbers 1-10 that you'll encounter frequently in Brazil:

• "Uma cerveja, por favor" (One beer, please)
• "Dois cafés" (Two coffees)
• "Três pessoas" (Three people)
• "Quatro horas" (Four hours or four o'clock)
• "Cinco reais" (Five reais - Brazilian currency)
• "Seis dias" (Six days)
• "Sete e meia" (Seven thirty - when telling time)
• "Oito anos" (Eight years)
• "Nove meses" (Nine months)
• "Dez minutos" (Ten minutes)

Notice how the number comes before the noun, just like in English. This familiar word order makes constructing basic phrases easier.

The rhythm and flow of Portuguese numbers

Brazilian Portuguese has a musical quality that affects how numbers sound in natural speech. Unlike English, where we often compress and reduce sounds in casual conversation, Brazilian Portuguese maintains clearer vowel sounds even in rapid speech.

When counting from one to ten, Brazilians maintain a steady rhythm. Each number gets roughly equal time and emphasis. This differs from English, where we might rush through familiar sequences.

In conversation, numbers often flow smoothly into the following word. For example, "dois amigos" (two friends) might sound like "doy-za-MEE-goos" with the "s" from "dois" connecting to the "a" in "amigos."

Cultural context for number usage in Brazil

Brazilians use numbers in some culturally specific ways that differ from American English patterns. Understanding these differences helps you sound more natural.

Phone numbers in Brazil are typically given in pairs or individual digits, not in larger groupings like Americans might use. A number like 9-8-7-6-5 would be said as "nove, oito, sete, seis, cinco" rather than "ninety-eight, seventy-six, five."

When referring to the first floor of a building, Brazilians often use "térreo" (ground floor) for what Americans call the first floor. The "primeiro andar" (first floor) is what Americans would call the second floor. This affects how you use numbers in navigation.

Prices in Brazil use the comma where Americans use a period. "R$ 5,50" is five reais and fifty centavos. When reading prices aloud, you'd say "cinco e cinquenta" or "cinco reais e cinquenta centavos."

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

English speakers learning Portuguese numbers often make predictable errors. Recognizing these patterns helps you avoid them.

The most frequent mistake is forgetting to match gender for "um/uma" and "dois/duas." Remember that the gender depends on the noun that follows, not on the speaker or any other factor. Practice with common nouns to build this habit.

Another common error is pronouncing "sete" as "SEH-teh" instead of "SEH-chee." This European Portuguese pronunciation sounds formal or foreign in Brazil. Embrace the "chee" ending for authentic Brazilian pronunciation.

English speakers often want to pronounce "nove" like "novo" (new). Keep that first vowel open like "aw" in "law," not closed like "oh" in "go."

The nasal sounds in "um" and "cinco" challenge English speakers who aren't used to nasalization. Practice by saying the vowel while gradually closing your mouth and letting air flow through your nose.

Connecting numbers to broader Portuguese learning

Mastering numbers one through ten provides a foundation for larger numbers in Portuguese. Eleven through nineteen build on these basic numbers. Twenty, thirty, and other tens have their own forms, but they combine with one through nine to create compound numbers like twenty-three (vinte e três).

The gender agreement you learned with "um/uma" and "dois/duas" applies to larger numbers ending in one or two as well. "Twenty-one books" would be "vinte e um livros" (masculine), while "twenty-one houses" would be "vinte e uma casas" (feminine).

The pronunciation patterns you've learned also apply to other Portuguese words. The "te" pronounced as "chee" appears in many words ending in "te." The nasal sounds in "um" and "cinco" appear throughout Portuguese vocabulary.

Practice strategies for mastery

Effective practice involves both recognition and production. Start by listening to native speakers count from one to ten. YouTube videos, language learning apps, and Portuguese music often include number sequences.

Practice counting objects around you in Portuguese throughout the day. Count your steps as you walk. Count items as you put them away. This constant repetition builds automatic recall.

Record yourself counting from one to ten and compare it to native speaker recordings. Pay special attention to vowel sounds and stress patterns. Most phones have voice recording apps that make this easy.

Write the numbers repeatedly while saying them aloud. This multi-sensory approach strengthens memory through different pathways. Write shopping lists using Portuguese numbers for quantities.

Create flashcards with the numeral on one side and the Portuguese word on the other. Include both forms for "um/uma" and "dois/duas." Review these during spare moments throughout the day.

Testing your knowledge

Once you've studied the numbers, test yourself in practical situations. Look at house numbers, license plates, or phone numbers and say them aloud in Portuguese. This real-world application reinforces learning.

Ask a Portuguese speaker or use language exchange apps to practice. Request feedback on your pronunciation. Native speakers can catch subtle errors that you might miss.

Try counting backwards from ten to one. This reverse order challenges your memory in a different way and prevents rote memorization without understanding.

Practice skip counting by twos (dois, quatro, seis, oito, dez) or by threes (três, seis, nove). This builds flexibility with the numbers.

Moving beyond basic counting

Once you're comfortable with numbers one through ten, you're ready to expand into related areas. Time-telling uses numbers extensively. "São três horas" (It's three o'clock) puts your number knowledge to practical use.

Learning ordinal numbers (first, second, third) builds naturally from cardinal numbers. "Primeiro" (first), "segundo" (second), and "terceiro" (third) share roots with their cardinal counterparts.

Basic math vocabulary lets you use numbers actively. "Mais" (plus), "menos" (minus), and "igual" (equals) combined with numbers one through ten enable simple calculations in Portuguese.

Age expressions require numbers constantly. "Tenho vinte e cinco anos" (I'm twenty-five years old) becomes possible once you know the component numbers.

Conclusion

The journey from one to ten in Brazilian Portuguese introduces you to essential sounds, patterns, and concepts that extend throughout the language. These ten words open doors to countless practical interactions and provide building blocks for more complex number expressions.

Remember that gender agreement only affects "um/uma" and "dois/duas." Remember that Brazilian pronunciation includes distinctive features like the "chee" sound in "sete." Remember that practice in context, not just isolated repetition, builds real fluency.

Your next steps might include learning numbers eleven through twenty, practicing these numbers in conversation, or exploring how numbers combine with common nouns you'll use daily. Each small step forward builds on the solid foundation you've created by mastering these first ten numbers.

With consistent practice and attention to the patterns you've learned, you'll find these numbers becoming automatic. Soon, you'll count in Portuguese without translation, a clear sign that you're beginning to think in your new language.