Cardinal Numbers: Zero
Zero is an easy, unchanging number, but always use a plural noun after it.
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
In Portuguese, the number zero is simply 'zero', and it functions just like any other cardinal number in a sentence.
- Use 'zero' for the digit 0: 'Eu tenho zero reais.'
- Use 'nulo' for abstract concepts or void: 'O resultado é nulo.'
- Zero is masculine: 'O zero é um número par.'
Overview
Ever thought about how much we use the number zero? It's literally the starting point for everything, from your bank account balance (hopefully not for long!) to the countdown on a Netflix show. In Portuguese, the word for zero is zero, and it's mostly straightforward.
But, like a deceptively simple video game level, it has a few little traps you need to know about. Get this right, and you'll sound way more natural.
The Portuguese number for 0 is zero. It's a cardinal number, which means it's used for counting things. Unlike some other numbers in Portuguese (looking at you, um/uma and dois/duas), zero doesn't change its form based on the gender of the noun it describes.
It's always just zero. Think of it as the rock of the number world: stable and unchanging. Whether you have zero problems or zero opportunities, zero has your back.
Its main job is to state a quantity of none. It's also used for things like temperature, game scores, and as a noun itself. It's a simple concept, but knowing its specific behaviors is key to avoiding common rookie mistakes.
Forgetting this can be the difference between sounding smooth and sounding like a Google Translate query from 2010.
How This Grammar Works
zero functions as a simple quantifier. It tells you 'how many' of something there are, and in this case, the answer is 'none'. The most important rule to remember is that zero is invariable in gender. It doesn't become zera to match a feminine noun. Ever. It's always zero.- It precedes the noun:
zero carros(zero cars),zero casas(zero houses). - The noun that follows
zerois always in the plural form. This might feel weird at first. Why plural if there are none? It's a bit of a philosophical question, but grammatically, you're talking about a quantity of 'zero things', not 'zero thing'. So:zero problemas(zero problems), notzero problema. Zeroitself is a masculine noun. If you talk about the number itself, you'd sayo zero. For example, "My favorite number is zero" would be "O meu número favorito éo zero."
zero.Formation Pattern
zero.
zero never, ever changes. No zera, zeros, or zeras. That’s it. You've learned the entire formation. Time for a coffee? Almost.
zero + plural noun
zero amigos (zero friends)
zero cadeiras (zero chairs)
zero computadores (zero computers)
zero correctly in any context. No complex conjugation charts or agreement rules to stress over. It's beautifully simple.
When To Use It
zero in more situations than you might think. It’s not just for when your snack drawer is empty.- Counting: The most obvious use. To say there are none of something.
Tenho zero moedas na minha carteira.(I have zero coins in my wallet.)Há zero pessoas na fila.(There are zero people in line.)
- Temperature: When it's freezing outside, you'll need
zero. Está fazendo zero graus Celsius.(It's zero degrees Celsius.)- Note: While technically
grau(singular) is correct afterzero, in everyday spoken Portuguese, especially in Brazil, you'll almost always heargraus(plural). It's one of those cases where common usage bends the formal rules.
- Scores in Games: Essential for talking about sports. Let’s hope your team isn’t on the
zeroside too often. O jogo foi três a zero.(The game was three to zero.)Estamos ganhando de dois a zero.(We are winning two to zero.)
- As a Noun: When you're talking about the concept or the digit '0'.
Escreva um zero no papel.(Write a zero on the paper.)O zero é um número par.(Zero is an even number.)
- On a Scale: For ratings, levels, or scales that start at 0.
Minha paciência hoje está em nível zero.(My patience today is at level zero.) This is a very relatable use for many of us.
Common Mistakes
- 1Making it feminine: The number one mistake. Learners see a feminine noun like
casaand want to sayzeroa casa. This is incorrect. It's alwayszero.
- ✗
Tenho zeroa canetas. - ✓
Tenho zero canetas.(I have zero pens.)
- 1Using a singular noun after it: Remember, the noun that follows
zerois plural.
- ✗
Ele cometeu zero erro. - ✓
Ele cometeu zero erros.(He made zero mistakes.)
- 1Confusing
zerowithnenhum/nenhuma: This is a bit more subtle.Zerois a specific number.Nenhum/nenhumameans 'not any' or 'none' in a more general sense. If you can count it,zerois often better.Nenhumdenies the existence entirely.
Não tenho nenhum amigo aqui.(I don't have any friends here.) - Emphasizes the lack of friends.Tenho zero amigos aqui.(I have zero friends here.) - States the quantity of friends as a number.- They are often interchangeable, but
zerocan feel a bit more direct or even blunt. Telling a friend you havezeroideas for the party is a very clear signal you need help brainstorming.
Contrast With Similar Patterns
zero with nenhum/nenhuma more closely.Zero(The Number):- It's a cardinal number.
- It's invariable (
zero). - It's followed by a plural noun (
zero livros). - It answers the question "How many?" with a number.
- Use it for scores, temperatures, and precise counting.
A chance de chuva é zero por cento.(The chance of rain is zero percent.)
Nenhum/Nenhuma(The Indefinite Pronoun/Adjective):- It means 'no', 'none', or 'not any'.
- It's variable. It must agree in gender with the noun:
nenhum(masculine),nenhuma(feminine). - It's followed by a singular noun (
nenhum livro,nenhuma casa). - It's used to negate the existence of something.
Não tenho nenhuma pergunta.(I don't have any questions.)
zero. If you're simply stating that 'not even one' of something exists, nenhum/nenhuma is your go-to. If someone asks "Quantos ingressos você comprou?" (How many tickets did you buy?), responding "Zero." is perfect.Nenhum." is also perfect. They're very close, but zero has that distinct numerical, slightly more modern, tech-y feel.Quick FAQ
Is it zero grau or zero graus for temperature?
Formally, zero grau (singular) is considered correct because zero isn't plural. However, in everyday speech, zero graus (plural) is extremely common and sounds more natural to most speakers, especially in Brazil. Don't sweat this one too much.
Do I always use a plural noun after zero?
Yes, for countable nouns. zero carros, zero problemas. For uncountable nouns, you wouldn't use zero in this way. You wouldn't say zero água; you'd say nenhuma água or não há água.
Can zero mean 'loser' like in English?
Yes, it can be used informally as slang, just like in English. Calling someone um zero à esquerda (a zero on the left) means they are worthless or have no influence. It’s a bit harsh, so maybe don’t try it out on your new friends right away!
How do European and Brazilian Portuguese pronunciations differ?
The main difference is the final 'o'. In Brazil, it's typically pronounced with a 'u' sound (like 'zer-oo'). In Portugal, the final 'o' is often clipped or nearly silent (like 'zer'). This is a standard pronunciation difference you'll see across many words.
Cardinal Zero Usage
| Form | Gender | Usage | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Zero
|
Masculine
|
Counting
|
Zero reais
|
|
Nulo
|
Masculine
|
Void/Invalid
|
Valor nulo
|
|
Nula
|
Feminine
|
Void/Invalid
|
Tentativa nula
|
None
| N/A |
|---|
|
N/A
|
Meanings
The cardinal number representing the absence of quantity or the starting point of a scale.
Cardinal Number
The mathematical value 0.
“O zero é o primeiro número.”
“Eu vi zero pessoas na rua.”
Abstract Void
Used to describe something null or invalid.
“O contrato é nulo.”
“A tentativa foi nula.”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
Zero + Noun
|
Eu tenho zero reais.
|
|
Negative
|
Não tenho zero + Noun
|
Eu não tenho zero reais.
|
|
Question
|
Quantos + Noun + tem? Zero?
|
Quantos reais você tem? Zero?
|
|
Abstract
|
O + Noun + é + nulo
|
O contrato é nulo.
|
|
Feminine
|
A + Noun + é + nula
|
A tentativa é nula.
|
Formality Spectrum
Eu possuo zero reais. (Money)
Eu tenho zero reais. (Money)
Tô com zero reais. (Money)
Zero bala. (Money)
Zero vs Nulo
Quantity
- Zero Number 0
Quality
- Nulo Void/Invalid
Examples by Level
Eu tenho zero reais.
I have zero reais.
O número é zero.
The number is zero.
Zero pessoas chegaram.
Zero people arrived.
Ele marcou zero gols.
He scored zero goals.
O contrato é nulo.
The contract is void.
Zero chance de chuva.
Zero chance of rain.
A tentativa foi nula.
The attempt was null.
Temos zero opções.
We have zero options.
O resultado foi nulo.
The result was null.
Ele tem zero paciência.
He has zero patience.
A lei tornou o ato nulo.
The law made the act void.
Zero esforço foi feito.
Zero effort was made.
O valor é nulo.
The value is null.
Zero tolerância para atrasos.
Zero tolerance for delays.
A decisão é nula.
The decision is void.
Zero impacto no mercado.
Zero impact on the market.
O efeito é nulo.
The effect is null.
Zero margem para erro.
Zero margin for error.
A cláusula é nula.
The clause is void.
Zero interesse no projeto.
Zero interest in the project.
O argumento é nulo.
The argument is void.
Zero relevância histórica.
Zero historical relevance.
A promessa tornou-se nula.
The promise became void.
Zero esperança de retorno.
Zero hope of return.
Easily Confused
Learners use zero for everything.
Both mean none.
Both mean empty/void.
Common Mistakes
Eu tenho nulo reais.
Eu tenho zero reais.
Zero pessoa.
Zero pessoas.
A zero.
O zero.
Zero é nulo.
Zero é um número.
O contrato é zero.
O contrato é nulo.
A tentativa é zero.
A tentativa é nula.
Zero de pessoas.
Zero pessoas.
O efeito é zero.
O efeito é nulo.
A lei é zero.
A lei é nula.
Zero de interesse.
Zero interesse.
O argumento é zero.
O argumento é nulo.
A promessa é zero.
A promessa é nula.
Zero de relevância.
Zero relevância.
Sentence Patterns
Eu tenho ___ reais.
O contrato é ___.
A tentativa foi ___.
O resultado é ___.
Real World Usage
Zero paciência hoje.
Zero chances.
Tenho zero experiência.
Zero problemas no voo.
Zero açúcar, por favor.
O ato é nulo.
Pluralize!
Don't use nulo for counting
Masculine only
Zero in Brazil
Smart Tips
Always use 'zero' before the noun.
Use 'nulo' instead of 'zero'.
Use 'nula' for feminine void.
Use 'zero' for emphasis.
Pronunciation
Zero
Pronounced like 'zeh-roo'.
Statement
Eu tenho zero. ↘
Neutral statement.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Zero is a hero, it starts the count from zero.
Visual Association
Imagine a big zero on a scoreboard. It's the starting point for everything.
Rhyme
Zero, zero, start the count, zero is the right amount.
Story
I went to the store to buy apples. I had zero money. The cashier said 'zero'. I felt like a zero.
Word Web
Challenge
Count backwards from 10 to 0 in Portuguese out loud.
Cultural Notes
Zero is used frequently in phone numbers and prices.
Zero is used similarly, but pronunciation is slightly more closed.
Nulo is a very common legal term.
From Latin 'zephyrus' via Arabic 'sifr'.
Conversation Starters
Quantos reais você tem?
O contrato é válido?
Qual é a chance de chuva?
O que você acha do resultado?
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
Eu tenho ___ reais.
O contrato é ___.
Find and fix the mistake:
Eu tenho nulo reais.
Eu tenho zero reais.
Zero is feminine.
A: Quantos você tem? B: ___.
reais / zero / tenho / Eu
Zero, Nulo, Nula
Score: /8
Practice Exercises
8 exercisesEu tenho ___ reais.
O contrato é ___.
Find and fix the mistake:
Eu tenho nulo reais.
Eu tenho zero reais.
Zero is feminine.
A: Quantos você tem? B: ___.
reais / zero / tenho / Eu
Zero, Nulo, Nula
Score: /8
Practice Bank
10 exercisesO placar do jogo foi cinco a ________.
Ela tem zeroa chances de ganhar.
respostas / o aluno / certas. / deu / zero
There are zero cars on the street.
Select the correct sentence.
Match the items.
O saldo da minha conta é ________ reais.
Neste pote, existem zero biscoito.
Translate 'The game was 2-0'.
My phone battery is at zero percent.
Score: /10
FAQ (8)
Yes, always.
No, use zero.
Yes, usually.
Yes.
Zero is a number, nenhum is a pronoun.
Yes, very common.
It is better to say zero pessoas.
Yes.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Cero
Pronunciation of 'c' vs 'z'.
Zéro
Pronunciation.
Null
Different root.
Zero
Phonetics.
Sifr
Different script.
Ling
Logographic.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
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