How to Read Prices and Decimal Numbers in Brazil — Practice
A guided practice lesson with English explanations, Brazilian Portuguese examples, and answers you can check. Read the examples, recall the meaning, then say a version of your own.
Read the comma as the decimal mark
Brazilian Portuguese number formatting usually uses a comma for decimals and a period to group thousands. So R$ 1.234,56 is one thousand two hundred thirty-four reais and fifty-six centavos. In English-language formats, the same amount often appears as R$1,234.56—the punctuation marks switch roles.
The currency symbol R$ stands for reais; one real is singular and reais is plural. Prices are often spoken naturally as reais and centavos, while smaller centavo amounts may be read with the decimal fraction in casual contexts.
| Brazilian Portuguese | English meaning |
|---|---|
| R$ 8,50 — oito reais e cinquenta centavos. | R$8.50—eight reais and fifty centavos. |
| R$ 29,90 — vinte e nove reais e noventa centavos. | R$29.90—twenty-nine reais and ninety centavos. |
| R$ 1.250,00 — mil duzentos e cinquenta reais. | R$1,250.00—one thousand two hundred fifty reais. |
Confirm the amount before you pay
When an amount is unfamiliar, ask the person to repeat it or type it into a calculator: pode mostrar o valor? (could you show me the amount?). This is especially helpful when the difference between reais and centavos matters or when you are listening in a noisy shop.
Prices vary by store, place, and date, so treat the figures here as number examples rather than current market prices. Practise reading the punctuation correctly and use quanto custa? to ask the price of an item.
| Brazilian Portuguese | English meaning |
|---|---|
| Quanto custa este ingresso? | How much does this ticket cost? |
| Você pode repetir o valor, por favor? | Could you repeat the amount, please? |
| São doze reais e vinte centavos. | It’s twelve reais and twenty centavos. |
Remember: In Brazilian formatting, the comma marks cents and the period groups thousands: R$ 1.234,56. Read the amount aloud carefully and ask for a repeat when needed.
Check your understanding
Choose the English meaning of each Portuguese example. Answer before looking back at the tables. These questions check the written examples in this guide; they are not a listening or proficiency test.
Recall the Portuguese, then say it
Read the English prompt and say a Portuguese version before opening the answer. The answer shows the example from the lesson; other natural translations may also work. Compare the meaning and the situation rather than counting a different word as automatically wrong.
R$8.50—eight reais and fifty centavos.
Show a Portuguese answer
R$ 8,50 — oito reais e cinquenta centavos.
R$29.90—twenty-nine reais and ninety centavos.
Show a Portuguese answer
R$ 29,90 — vinte e nove reais e noventa centavos.
R$1,250.00—one thousand two hundred fifty reais.
Show a Portuguese answer
R$ 1.250,00 — mil duzentos e cinquenta reais.
How much does this ticket cost?
Show a Portuguese answer
Quanto custa este ingresso?
Could you repeat the amount, please?
Show a Portuguese answer
Você pode repetir o valor, por favor?
It’s twelve reais and twenty centavos.
Show a Portuguese answer
São doze reais e vinte centavos.
Make the phrase useful to you
Choose one example you could actually use. Say it once from memory, then change one detail that fits your life, such as the person, place, time, or object. Check whether your change also needs a different verb form, article, or adjective ending. If it does, compare it with the pattern in the explanation.
In Brazilian formatting, the comma marks cents and the period groups thousands: R$ 1.234,56. Read the amount aloud carefully and ask for a repeat when needed.
Return to two prompts tomorrow without opening the answers first. If a phrase still feels difficult, shorten it to a useful chunk and build the complete sentence again.
Sources and your next lesson
This I Speak Portuguese practice guide builds on our How to Read Prices and Decimal Numbers in Brazil lesson on Real Life Portuguese, with written recall tasks and additional speaking practice. The explanations and examples are teaching material; the practice questions are exercises, not a transcript of a recording.
To add Brazilian audio to your routine, choose a lesson in the Real Life Portuguese app. The app offers its own lessons and practice; this page does not imply that every example here has an app recording.
Browse all learning guides
