Language/Indo-portuguese/Vocabulary/Count-to-10
Hi Indo-Portuguese learners! 😊
In this lesson, you will learn how to count from 1 to 10 in Indo-Portuguese. We will also explore some interesting cultural facts related to numbers. Let's get started!
Consider exploring these related pages after completing this lesson: Days of the Week, Drinks & How to say Good Bye?.
Counting to 10[edit | edit source]
Counting in Indo-Portuguese is relatively simple. Here are the numbers from 1 to 10:
| Indo-Portuguese | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| um | 'um' (oom) | one |
| dois | 'doi-sh' (doysh) | two |
| três | 'tray-sh' (traysh) | three |
| quatro | 'qua-trow' (quatrow) | four |
| cinco | 'sin-co' (sinko) | five |
| seis | 'say-sh' (saysh) | six |
| sete | 'se-tay' (setay) | seven |
| oito | 'oy-tow' (oytow) | eight |
| nove | 'no-vei' (novay) | nine |
| dez | 'dez' (dez) | ten |
In Indo-Portuguese, "and" is typically not used to separate numbers as it is in English. For example, the number 27 would be "vinte sete" (twenty seven) in English, but just "vintesete" in Indo-Portuguese.
Here are a few tips to help you remember the numbers:
- The word for "one" in Indo-Portuguese sounds like "oom", which rhymes with "plume".
- The word for "two" is "dois", which sounds like "doysh". Imagine two boys (doysh) playing together.
- The word for "three" is "três", which sounds like "tray-sh". Imagine a tray full of three shiny objects.
- The word for "four" is "quatro", which sounds like "qua-trow". Imagine a quartet of musicians playing music.
- The word for "five" is "cinco", which sounds like "sin-co". Imagine sinking in quicksand because you counted to five too slowly.
- The word for "six" is "seis", which sounds like "say-sh". Imagine saying "shhh" (say-sh) to quiet down six noisy people.
- The word for "seven" is "sete", which sounds like "se-tay". Imagine setting a table for seven guests.
- The word for "eight" is "oito", which sounds like "oy-tow". Imagine owning eight boats that you tow (tow) behind you.
- The word for "nine" is "nove", which sounds like "novay". Imagine a new (nove) sports car that you drive down the highway.
- The word for "ten" is "dez", which sounds like "dez". Remember, in Indo-Portuguese, "and" is not used. So if you want to say the number 14, you would say "quatorze" (quatro + dez), not "quatro e dez".
Now that you know how to count in Indo-Portuguese, try practicing with a native speaker on Polyglot Club! Find native speakers and ask them any questions.
Interesting Facts about Numbers[edit | edit source]
Numbers are an important part of culture and language. Here are a few interesting facts about numbers in Indo-Portuguese and Portuguese culture:
- The number 7 is considered lucky in Portuguese culture. Many Portuguese people believe that the number 7 brings good luck, which is why it is often used in games of chance and gambling.
- The number 13 is considered unlucky in many cultures, and Portugal is no exception. In Portugal, the number 13 is associated with bad luck and is often avoided.
- The word "billion" has a different meaning in Portuguese than it does in English. In English, "billion" means 1,000,000,000 (one thousand million). But in Portuguese, "billion" means 1,000,000,000,000 (one million million). To express the English meaning of "billion" in Portuguese, you would use the word "mil milhões" (one thousand million).
- Many Portuguese superstitions involve numbers. For example, it is considered bad luck to start a trip on a Friday, especially if the date is the 13th. Some people also believe that it is bad luck to give knives or scissors as gifts, because they can "cut" the friendship between the giver and receiver.
- Numbers are important in astrology and numerology. Many people in Portugal believe that certain numbers are lucky or unlucky depending on the day of the week or the time of year.
Dialogue[edit | edit source]
To help you practice counting in Indo-Portuguese, here is a short dialogue between two people:
- Person 1: Um. (One.)
- Person 2: Dois. (Two.)
- Person 1: Três. (Three.)
- Person 2: Quatro. (Four.)
- Person 1: Cinco. (Five.)
- Person 2: Seis. (Six.)
- Person 1: Sete. (Seven.)
- Person 2: Oito. (Eight.)
- Person 1: Nove. (Nine.)
- Person 2: Dez. (Ten.)
Well done! You can now count in Indo-Portuguese.
Sources[edit | edit source]
- Portuguese phonology
- Portuguese culture
- Linguistic history of Portugal
- Astrology in Portugal
- Numerology
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