A1Lesson 4: Questions & Quantifiers
Portuguese quantifiers express amounts and quantities, with most requiring gender and number agreement with the nouns they modify, unlike English equivalents.
Muito/a/os/as = much, many, a lot, very
Pouco/a/os/as = little, few, not much
Alguns/Algumas = some, a few (plural only)
Todo/a/os/as = all, every, whole
Nenhum/a = no, none, not any (singular only)
Most change for gender/number (except when adverbs)
Muito/pouco can be adverbs (no change) or adjectives (change)
Position matters: before nouns as adjectives, after verbs as adverbs
These five words let you talk about amounts in any situation – from ordering "muita comida" (lots of food) to saying you have "pouco tempo" (little time) to explaining "alguns amigos" (some friends) are coming. Without them, you can't express basic quantities, making simple tasks like shopping, describing your day, or making plans nearly impossible. They're the difference between "I want coffee" and "I want A LOT of coffee" – crucial distinctions in daily life!
quantifier + noun (with agreement) OR verb + quantifier (as adverb)
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| Quantifier | Masculine Singular | Feminine Singular | Masculine Plural | Feminine Plural |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| muito | muito dinheiro | muita água | muitos livros | muitas pessoas |
| pouco | pouco tempo | pouca comida | poucos amigos | poucas casas |
| algum | algum problema | alguma coisa | alguns dias | algumas vezes |
| todo | todo dia | toda semana | todos os dias | todas as noites |
| nenhum | nenhum lugar | nenhuma pessoa | - | - |
"Tem muitas opções" (There are many options)
"Poucos produtos em promoção" (Few products on sale)
"Quero algumas frutas" (I want some fruits)
"Todo mundo gosta" (Everyone likes it)
"Não tem nenhuma vaga" (There's no vacancy)
"Tenho muito trabalho" (I have a lot of work)
"Durmo pouco" (I sleep little)
"Alguns dias são difíceis" (Some days are difficult)
"Toda segunda eu estudo" (Every Monday I study)
Doesn't change when modifying adjectives/adverbs:
"Ela é muito bonita" (not "muita bonita")
"Eles são muito altos" (not "muitos altos")
"Fala muito bem" (not "muito bom")
Todo mundo (everyone) - never "todo o mundo"
Todo lugar (everywhere)
Todo jeito (every way)
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