The Core Idea
Numbers, words like cada and todo, and quantifiers like algum, nenhum, muito and pouco all help shape the noun phrase.
This is the grammar behind quantities, schedules, shopping, routines, and instructions. These forms are everywhere, but they only sound natural when the agreement is right.
Structure Snapshot
- determiner + noun / numeral + noun / quantifier + noun
Main Rules at a Glance
| Step | Rule |
|---|---|
| Rule 1 | Cardinals count: "dois livros", "três pessoas". Ordinals order: "primeiro dia", "segunda vez". |
| Rule 2 | "Cada" points to items one by one. "Todo/toda" can mean "every" or "whole" depending on the phrase. |
| Rule 3 | "Algum/alguma" usually means "some/any". "Nenhum/nenhuma" means "no/not any". |
| Rule 4 | "Muito/pouco" work as quantifiers and must agree when they modify nouns: "muita gente", "poucas casas". |
How It Works
- Cardinals count: "dois livros", "três pessoas". Ordinals order: "primeiro dia", "segunda vez".
- "Cada" points to items one by one. "Todo/toda" can mean "every" or "whole" depending on the phrase.
- "Algum/alguma" usually means "some/any". "Nenhum/nenhuma" means "no/not any".
- "Muito/pouco" work as quantifiers and must agree when they modify nouns: "muita gente", "poucas casas".
Usage and Register
- Portuguese often uses singular after "cada": "cada pessoa", not "cada pessoas".
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