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A2 noun 10 min read

dólares

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips dólares in 30 Seconds

Explanation dólares in your Level:

At the A1 level, you will encounter the word 'dólares' primarily when learning about numbers and basic shopping. You need to know that 'dólares' is the plural of 'dólar'. At this stage, focus on saying simple phrases like 'dez dólares' or 'vinte dólares'. You will likely see this word in textbooks when practicing how to ask 'Quanto custa?' (How much does it cost?). It is important to learn the numbers 1-100 alongside this word so you can describe prices. You should also recognize the symbol '$' and know that in a Portuguese context, it usually refers to the currency being discussed, often dollars in international exercises. Don't worry about complex grammar yet; just focus on the 's' at the end for plural amounts and the correct pronunciation of the 'ó'. Practice saying 'um dólar' versus 'dois dólares' to get used to the singular and plural change. This is a very practical word for any beginner traveler.

At the A2 level, you start using 'dólares' in more varied contexts, such as travel and describing daily routines involving money. You should be able to form sentences like 'Eu preciso de cinquenta dólares' (I need fifty dollars) or 'Vou trocar dinheiro por dólares' (I'm going to exchange money for dollars). At this level, you begin to understand the use of prepositions like 'em' (in) and 'por' (for/by) with money. You will also learn to distinguish between different types of dollars, such as 'dólares americanos' or 'dólares canadianos', noting that the adjective comes after the noun. This is also when you start to learn about the 'casa de câmbio' (exchange office) where you will hear and use this word frequently. You should be comfortable reading simple price tags and understanding basic financial transactions in a dialogue. Your pronunciation should become more stable, focusing on the open 'ó' sound.

By the B1 level, you can use 'dólares' to discuss more abstract topics like travel budgets, savings, and basic banking. You might explain why you are saving money: 'Estou economizando dólares para minha viagem aos Estados Unidos'. You will also encounter the word in news snippets or articles about the economy. At this stage, you should understand the concept of 'taxa de câmbio' (exchange rate) and how to discuss it. You can handle more complex numerical values, such as 'milhares de dólares' (thousands of dollars) or 'milhões de dólares' (millions of dollars). You will also start to use verbs like 'investir' (to invest) or 'gastar' (to spend) more naturally with this noun. Your ability to describe financial situations becomes more fluid, and you can participate in a conversation about the cost of living in different countries using the dollar as a baseline for comparison.

At the B2 level, 'dólares' appears in discussions about international politics, global markets, and business. You should be able to understand and use the word in sentences like 'A valorização do dólar impacta as exportações brasileiras' (The appreciation of the dollar impacts Brazilian exports). You are expected to handle technical terms related to the currency, such as 'dólar comercial', 'dólar turismo', and 'inflação'. You can read financial reports and understand the nuances of how currency fluctuations affect the economy. At this level, you should also be aware of the cultural implications of the dollar in Lusophone countries—how it is seen as a 'safe' currency. You can debate the pros and cons of a country's dependence on the dollar and use the word in formal presentations or written essays about economic trends. Your grammar should be near-perfect, including correct gender and number agreement in complex sentences.

At the C1 level, you use 'dólares' with the precision of a native speaker in academic or professional environments. You can discuss complex financial instruments, such as 'futuros de dólar' (dollar futures) or 'reservas internacionais em dólares'. You understand the stylistic choice of using 'dólares' versus more formal terms like 'divisas'. You can analyze and critique economic policies regarding currency pegging or floating exchange rates. Your vocabulary surrounding the word is extensive, including idiomatic expressions and subtle slang (like 'doletas' in the right context). You can write detailed reports on market volatility and use 'dólares' as a variable in economic models. At this stage, the word is not just a unit of currency but a tool for sophisticated socio-economic analysis. You are also sensitive to the regional differences in how money is discussed across the Portuguese-speaking world.

At the C2 level, your mastery of 'dólares' is complete. You can navigate the most complex linguistic contexts, such as high-level diplomatic negotiations or philosophical discourses on the nature of value and the hegemony of the dollar in the post-Bretton Woods era. You can use the word in literary contexts, understanding its symbolic weight in prose and poetry. You are capable of code-switching between formal financial jargon and colloquial street talk about money without effort. You understand the historical etymology of the word deeply and can explain its evolution in the Portuguese language compared to other Romance languages. You can interpret the most subtle nuances in news broadcasts, identifying the speaker's bias or intent based on how they frame the movement of 'dólares' in the market. The word is a seamless part of your vast linguistic repertoire.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

dólares in 30 Seconds

Dólares is the plural of dólar, the currency used in the US, Canada, Australia, and more.
It is a masculine noun, so use 'os' and masculine adjectives like 'caros' or 'muitos'.
In Portuguese-speaking countries, the dollar is a key economic indicator and often used for international travel.
Always remember the acute accent on the 'ó' to ensure correct pronunciation and spelling.

The word dólares is the plural form of dólar, which refers to the official currency of several major nations, most notably the United States of America. In the context of Portuguese learners, understanding this word is crucial because the dollar is the global benchmark for exchange rates in Lusophone countries like Brazil and Mozambique. Whether you are discussing international trade, planning a trip to New York, or checking the daily financial news in Lisbon, dólares will appear frequently as a point of reference.

O Dólar Americano: This is the primary reference. In Brazil, people watch the 'dólar hoje' (dollar today) as closely as the weather because it affects the price of everything from gasoline to bread.

Preciso trocar meus reais por dólares antes da viagem para a Disney.

In a broader sense, the word is used whenever quantifying wealth or cost in an international context. Even in Portugal, where the Euro is the currency, dólares are mentioned when discussing Hollywood movie budgets, the net worth of tech billionaires, or the price of oil per barrel. The word itself carries a connotation of stability and international power. Historically, the term originates from the 'thaler', a silver coin used in Europe, which eventually evolved into the name we recognize today across various languages including Portuguese.

Contexto Turístico: When traveling to countries like Ecuador or Panama, which use the US dollar, you will use this word constantly to ask for prices and receive change.

A entrada para o museu custa vinte dólares por pessoa.

Culturally, the dollar is often associated with the 'American Dream'. In Portuguese literature or cinema, mentioning that a character has 'milhares de dólares' (thousands of dollars) usually implies they are wealthy or have international connections. It is not just a currency; it is a symbol of economic standing. In informal Brazilian Portuguese, you might also hear people refer to money generally, but when they specify dólares, they are specifically pointing to the foreign currency, often viewed as a safe-haven investment during times of local economic volatility.

Câmbio e Finanças: The phrase 'cotação do dólar' is a daily staple in news broadcasts, indicating how many units of the local currency are needed to buy one dollar.

O investidor comprou milhões de dólares em títulos do governo.

Using dólares correctly involves basic numerical agreement. Since it is a masculine plural noun, any adjectives or articles modifying it must also be masculine and plural. For example, you would say 'alguns dólares' (some dollars) or 'muitos dólares' (many dollars). It is essential to remember that in Portuguese, the number usually precedes the noun, just as in English.

Numerical Agreement: Quantities like 'dois', 'três', or 'cem' are placed directly before the word. Example: 'Custa dez dólares'.

Eles ganharam cinco mil dólares no sorteio da loteria internacional.

When specifying which type of dollar you are referring to, you append the nationality. For instance, 'dólares americanos' (US dollars), 'dólares canadianos' (Canadian dollars), or 'dólares australianos' (Australian dollars). Note that the adjective comes after the noun. This is a common point of confusion for English speakers who are used to saying 'Canadian dollars' with the adjective first.

Prepositions and Money: Use 'em' for the currency of payment (pagar em dólares) and 'por' for the exchange rate (trocar reais por dólares).

Você pode pagar a conta em dólares se preferir, mas o troco será em moeda local.

In formal financial writing, you might see dólares used in complex sentence structures involving economic trends. For example, 'A valorização dos dólares perante o real preocupa os importadores'. Here, the noun is the subject of the sentence, and its plural nature dictates the verb agreement ('preocupa' refers to the 'valorização', but 'dos dólares' provides the specific context). Mastering these nuances allows for clearer communication in professional settings.

Common Verbs: Gastar (to spend), economizar (to save), investir (to invest), and sacar (to withdraw) are the verbs most frequently paired with this noun.

Nós economizamos muitos dólares durante o ano para comprar este equipamento.

The word dólares is omnipresent in Lusophone media. If you turn on a news channel in Brazil like GloboNews or CNN Brasil, you will hear it every hour during the financial updates. The 'dólar comercial' and 'dólar turismo' are terms that every adult in Brazil knows. It is also a staple in airport environments. Announcements about currency exchange rates or duty-free prices frequently utilize the word to cater to international travelers.

Meios de Comunicação: Journalists use it to describe international aid, market fluctuations, and trade balances between countries.

O preço do petróleo subiu para oitenta dólares o barril no mercado de Londres.

In movies and TV shows dubbed into Portuguese, dólares is the standard translation for any mention of money in an American setting. Whether it is a heist movie where thieves are looking for 'milhões de dólares' or a sitcom where a character complains about a 'cinco dólares' coffee, the word reinforces the setting. For learners, watching these dubbed versions is an excellent way to hear the word pronounced in various emotional contexts—from the excitement of winning money to the stress of debt.

Ambiente de Negócios: In meetings involving multinational corporations, contracts are often negotiated in dollars to avoid local currency risks.

A empresa planeja investir dez milhões de dólares na nova fábrica no Brasil.

Travel vlogs are another rich source for hearing this word. Brazilian YouTubers traveling abroad often convert prices into dólares to help their audience understand the cost of living or the price of electronics in the US versus Brazil. You will hear phrases like 'Isso custou cem dólares, o que dá uns quinhentos reais'. This comparative usage is perhaps the most practical way the word is used in daily life by Portuguese speakers who have any connection to the outside world.

Casas de Câmbio: When you enter a 'Casa de Câmbio', the first word you see on the board is usually 'Dólar', followed by its price in the local currency.

Gostaria de comprar trezentos dólares em espécie, por favor.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make when using dólares is related to the accentuation and pronunciation. In Portuguese, the word has an acute accent on the 'ó', which means it must be stressed and pronounced with an open vowel sound. English speakers often try to pronounce it like the English 'dollar', which has a different vowel quality and a more neutral ending. In Portuguese, the 'es' at the end is clearly pronounced, especially in European Portuguese where it sounds like 'sh', or in Brazil where it sounds like 'iz' or 'es' depending on the region.

Pronúncia Incorreta: Avoid saying 'dollar-es' with an English 'r'. The Portuguese 'r' in 'dólares' is a single tap of the tongue, similar to the 'tt' in 'better' in American English.

Errado: Eu tenho dez dollar. Correto: Eu tenho dez dólares.

Another common error is the lack of pluralization. In English, we sometimes use 'dollar' as a modifier (e.g., 'a ten-dollar bill'). In Portuguese, you must always pluralize the noun if the quantity is plural: 'uma nota de dez dólares'. Forgetting the 's' at the end of dólares makes the sentence sound ungrammatical and can lead to confusion in fast-paced financial transactions.

Gender Agreement Errors: Since 'dólar' is masculine, beginners often mistakenly use feminine articles like 'as dólares' instead of 'os dólares'.

Errado: As dólares estão caros. Correto: Os dólares estão caros.

Misplacing the currency symbol is also a common mistake in written Portuguese. While English puts the '$' before the number ($10), in many Portuguese-speaking contexts, especially in informal writing or older formats, the symbol (cifrão) might be placed where the decimal comma goes, or after the number. However, the international standard (US$ 10,00) is becoming more common. It is safer for learners to stick to the standard but be aware of variations they might see in local shops or markets.

Confusing Symbols: Do not confuse the cifrão ($) with the 'S' for 'shillings' or other currencies. In Brazil, '$' without 'R' almost always means dollars.

O preço é 10$ (Common informal) vs US$ 10,00 (Formal).

While dólares is the specific term for the currency, there are many synonyms and related words depending on the context. If you want to talk about money in general, dinheiro is the most common and versatile word. It can refer to physical bills, coins, or the abstract concept of wealth. When discussing specific coins, the word moedas is used. It is important to distinguish between 'moeda' as a physical coin and 'moeda' as a national currency (e.g., 'A moeda dos EUA é o dólar').

Dinheiro vs Dólares: Dinheiro is 'money' (general). Dólares is specifically 'dollars'. You can have 'dinheiro' in 'dólares'.

Eu não tenho dinheiro vivo, só alguns dólares no cartão.

In informal settings, especially in Brazil, you will encounter slang terms for money. Grana is the most popular across all age groups. Bufunfa is a fun, slightly dated term, while Pila is common in Southern Brazil (similar to 'bucks' in English). When specifically referring to dollars in a slangy way, Brazilians sometimes use doletas. Using these terms correctly can make you sound much more like a native speaker, though you should stick to dólares in any professional or formal situation.

Moeda vs Câmbio: Moeda refers to the currency itself, while Câmbio refers to the exchange process or rate.

Qual é a moeda mais forte: euros ou dólares?

For technical financial discussions, you might use divisas, which refers to foreign currency reserves held by a central bank. Another term is numerário, which is a formal way to say 'cash' or 'physical money'. Understanding these alternatives allows you to navigate different registers of the language, from a street market in Luanda to a board room in São Paulo. Always remember that while 'dólares' is specific, the way you talk about them changes based on who you are talking to.

Verbos de Troca: Converter (to convert) and Permutar (to exchange/swap) are more formal than 'Trocar'.

O sistema converte automaticamente reais em dólares.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

Neutral

Informal

Child friendly

Slang

Fun Fact

The symbol '$' is actually thought to have originated from the Spanish-American 'ps' (for pesos) or the Pillars of Hercules on the Spanish dollar.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ˈdɒl.əz/

US /ˈdɑː.lɚz/

The stress is on the first syllable: DÓ-la-res.

Rhymes With

colares lugares milhares pomares lares escolares populares particulares

Common Errors

Pronouncing the 'o' as a closed vowel like in 'cold'.
Using the English 'r' instead of the Portuguese tapped 'r'.
Dropping the final 's' in plural contexts.
Misplacing the stress on the second syllable.
Pronouncing the 'es' as a silent 's' like in French.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 1/5

Very easy to recognize because of its similarity to the English word.

Writing 2/5

Requires remembering the acute accent and the plural 'es' ending.

Speaking 2/5

The open 'ó' and the tapped 'r' require some practice for English speakers.

Listening 1/5

Easily identified in context, even at fast speeds.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

Dinheiro Um Dez Custa Preço

Learn Next

Câmbio Cartão de crédito Banco Investimento Economia

Advanced

Inflação Taxa de juros Balança comercial Dolarização Ativos financeiros

Grammar to Know

Pluralization of nouns ending in 'r'

Dólar -> Dólares, Mar -> Mares, Cor -> Cores

Masculine gender for currencies

O dólar, o euro, o real, o peso.

Adjective placement after nouns

Dólares americanos (not Americanos dólares).

Use of 'de' for composition

Uma nota de cinco dólares.

Numbers before nouns

Vinte dólares (not Dólares vinte).

Examples by Level

Dez dólares, por favor.

Ten dollars, please.

Simple number + noun agreement.

Eu tenho cinco dólares.

I have five dollars.

Verb 'ter' (to have) in the first person.

Quanto custa? Vinte dólares.

How much is it? Twenty dollars.

Standard question for prices.

O café custa três dólares.

The coffee costs three dollars.

Subject-verb agreement.

Aqui estão os seus dólares.

Here are your dollars.

Use of the masculine plural article 'os'.

Você tem dois dólares?

Do you have two dollars?

Direct question with 'ter'.

Eu preciso de cem dólares.

I need a hundred dollars.

The verb 'precisar' requires the preposition 'de'.

Não são euros, são dólares.

They are not euros, they are dollars.

Negative and affirmative 'ser'.

Vou trocar meus reais por dólares hoje.

I'm going to exchange my reais for dollars today.

Use of 'por' for exchange.

A nota de dez dólares é azulada.

The ten-dollar bill is bluish.

Describing a noun with an adjective.

Eles gastaram muitos dólares na viagem.

They spent many dollars on the trip.

Past tense of 'gastar'.

Onde posso comprar dólares americanos?

Where can I buy US dollars?

Adjective 'americanos' follows the noun.

Ela guardou alguns dólares na carteira.

She kept some dollars in her wallet.

Quantifier 'alguns' (some).

O preço em dólares é mais barato.

The price in dollars is cheaper.

Prepositional phrase 'em dólares'.

Preciso de cinquenta dólares para o táxi.

I need fifty dollars for the taxi.

Purpose expressed with 'para'.

Os dólares canadenses são coloridos.

Canadian dollars are colorful.

Plural adjective agreement.

A taxa de câmbio para dólares subiu muito.

The exchange rate for dollars went up a lot.

Abstract noun 'taxa de câmbio'.

Eu recebo meu salário em dólares.

I receive my salary in dollars.

Professional context.

Economizar dólares é uma boa estratégia.

Saving dollars is a good strategy.

Infinitive verb as a subject.

Eles investiram milhares de dólares em tecnologia.

They invested thousands of dollars in technology.

Collective noun 'milhares de'.

Se eu tivesse dólares, viajaria agora.

If I had dollars, I would travel now.

Imperfect subjunctive + conditional.

O valor total foi de quinhentos dólares.

The total value was five hundred dollars.

Using 'foi de' to state a total.

Não aceitamos dólares, apenas cartões.

We don't accept dollars, only cards.

Negative present tense.

Você pode me emprestar vinte dólares?

Can you lend me twenty dollars?

Modal verb 'poder' + 'emprestar'.

A flutuação dos dólares afeta o mercado local.

The fluctuation of dollars affects the local market.

Complex noun phrase 'flutuação dos'.

O governo possui grandes reservas de dólares.

The government has large dollar reserves.

Formal verb 'possuir'.

O contrato foi assinado em dólares americanos.

The contract was signed in US dollars.

Passive voice 'foi assinado'.

Muitas empresas preferem faturar em dólares.

Many companies prefer to bill in dollars.

Verb 'faturar' (to invoice/bill).

A inflação corroeu o valor dos dólares guardados.

Inflation eroded the value of the saved dollars.

Metaphorical verb 'corroer'.

Apesar da crise, os dólares continuam estáveis.

Despite the crisis, dollars remain stable.

Conjunction 'apesar de'.

O investidor diversificou sua carteira com dólares.

The investor diversified his portfolio with dollars.

Past tense 'diversificou'.

O custo de vida é medido em dólares internacionais.

The cost of living is measured in international dollars.

Passive voice 'é medido'.

A hegemonia dos dólares é questionada por economistas.

The hegemony of dollars is questioned by economists.

Advanced vocabulary 'hegemonia'.

Houve uma fuga massiva de dólares do país.

There was a massive flight of dollars from the country.

Noun 'fuga' (flight/escape) in economic sense.

O Banco Central interveio para conter a alta dos dólares.

The Central Bank intervened to contain the rise of dollars.

Irregular past 'interveio'.

A paridade entre as moedas e os dólares variou.

The parity between currencies and dollars varied.

Technical term 'paridade'.

Eles repatriação milhões de dólares anualmente.

They repatriate millions of dollars annually.

Advanced verb 'repatriar'.

A liquidez em dólares é essencial para o comércio.

Liquidity in dollars is essential for trade.

Abstract concept 'liquidez'.

O déficit foi coberto com empréstimos em dólares.

The deficit was covered with dollar loans.

Financial term 'déficit'.

A volatilidade dos dólares assusta os investidores.

The volatility of dollars scares investors.

Noun 'volatilidade'.

A onipresença dos dólares molda a geopolítica global.

The omnipresence of dollars shapes global geopolitics.

C2 level abstract noun 'onipresença'.

Subjacente à crise está a escassez de dólares.

Underlying the crisis is the scarcity of dollars.

Advanced adjective 'subjacente'.

A dolarização da economia é um tema polêmico.

The dollarization of the economy is a controversial topic.

Suffix '-ização' for process.

O influxo de dólares estabilizou a balança comercial.

The influx of dollars stabilized the trade balance.

Noun 'influxo'.

A indexação de preços a dólares foi proibida.

The indexing of prices to dollars was prohibited.

Legal/Economic term 'indexação'.

A soberania nacional vs. a dependência de dólares.

National sovereignty vs. dollar dependency.

Abstract philosophical contrast.

O capital especulativo busca lucros em dólares.

Speculative capital seeks profits in dollars.

Advanced noun phrase 'capital especulativo'.

A desvalorização cambial frente aos dólares é letal.

The currency devaluation against dollars is lethal.

Intense adjective 'letal' in economic context.

Common Collocations

Milhões de dólares

Pagar em dólares

Trocar por dólares

Dólares americanos

Gastar dólares

Cotação do dólar

Muitos dólares

Dólares canadenses

Investir em dólares

Nota de dólares

Common Phrases

Preço em dólares

— The cost of an item when converted to or paid in USD.

O preço em dólares é fixo.

Conta em dólares

— A bank account that holds US currency.

Abri uma conta em dólares ontem.

Dólar paralelo

— The unofficial exchange rate (black market).

O dólar paralelo está muito alto.

Dólar turismo

— The rate used for personal travel and credit cards.

O dólar turismo é mais caro que o comercial.

Dólar comercial

— The rate used for business and trade.

As empresas usam o dólar comercial.

A peso de ouro (context: dólares)

— Something very expensive, often compared to dollars.

Tudo aqui custa dólares a peso de ouro.

Fazer dólares

— To earn money (often implying profit).

Ele foi para os EUA para fazer dólares.

Banho de dólares

— To receive a large amount of investment or money.

A startup recebeu um banho de dólares.

Queimar dólares

— To spend money very quickly or wastefully.

Eles estão queimando dólares em marketing.

Dólar furado

— Something worthless (rare slang/idiom).

Isso não vale um dólar furado.

Often Confused With

dólares vs Dólar

The singular form. Use 'dólar' for 1, and 'dólares' for 2 or more.

dólares vs Euros

The currency of the Eurozone. Often compared but distinct.

dólares vs Dolores

A common Spanish name (meaning 'pains'). Don't confuse the 'a' with 'o'.

Idioms & Expressions

"Não vale um dólar furado"

— To be completely worthless or useless.

Aquele carro velho não vale um dólar furado.

Informal

"Estar com os dólares contados"

— To have very little money left; to be on a tight budget.

Não posso ir ao jantar, estou com os dólares contados.

Neutral

"Chover dólares"

— To earn or receive a lot of money unexpectedly.

Depois do sucesso do app, começou a chover dólares.

Informal

"Nadar em dólares"

— To be extremely wealthy.

O dono daquela empresa está nadando em dólares.

Informal

"Dólar na mão é vendaval"

— Money disappears quickly once you have it (adapted from 'dinheiro').

Cuidado, dólar na mão é vendaval!

Colloquial

"Tempo é dólares"

— Adaptation of 'Time is money'.

Vamos rápido, tempo é dólares!

Informal

"Olhos de cifrão"

— To be greedy or only interested in money.

Ele olha para o projeto com olhos de cifrão.

Informal

"Pagar o pato em dólares"

— To pay a high price for someone else's mistake.

A empresa errou e nós pagamos o pato em dólares.

Informal

"Ver dólares onde não tem"

— To be overly optimistic about profits.

Ele está vendo dólares onde não tem nada.

Neutral

"Segurar os dólares"

— To be stingy or very careful with spending.

O governo está segurando os dólares das reservas.

Neutral

Easily Confused

dólares vs Reais

Both are currencies used in Brazil.

Reais is the local currency; Dólares is the foreign currency.

Eu tenho cem reais, mas preciso de dólares.

dólares vs Câmbio

Related to money exchange.

Câmbio is the act or rate of exchange; Dólares is the money itself.

A taxa de câmbio para dólares está boa.

dólares vs Moeda

General vs specific.

Moeda can mean any currency or a coin; Dólares is a specific currency.

O dólar é uma moeda, mas nem toda moeda é um dólar.

dólares vs Valor

Abstract vs Concrete.

Valor is 'value'; Dólares is the unit.

O valor total é de dez dólares.

dólares vs Preço

Cost vs Currency.

Preço is the 'price'; Dólares is what you pay with.

O preço é alto em dólares.

Sentence Patterns

[Number] dólares, por favor.

Dez dólares, por favor.

Eu tenho [Number] dólares.

Eu tenho vinte dólares.

Eu preciso trocar [Currency] por dólares.

Eu preciso trocar reais por dólares.

Custa cerca de [Number] dólares.

Custa cerca de cem dólares.

O valor dos dólares [Verb] hoje.

O valor dos dólares subiu hoje.

Investir em dólares é [Adjective].

Investir em dólares é arriscado.

Devido à alta dos dólares, [Result].

Devido à alta dos dólares, os preços subiram.

A volatilidade inerente aos dólares [Action].

A volatilidade inerente aos dólares complica o planejamento.

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

How to Use It

frequency

Extremely frequent in news, travel, and business.

Common Mistakes

Saying 'dez dólar'. → dez dólares
Nouns ending in 'r' must add 'es' to form the plural in Portuguese.
Pronouncing it like the English 'dollar'. → DÓ-la-res
The vowel sound and stress are different. The 'ó' is open and the 'es' is pronounced.
Using 'as dólares'. → os dólares
Dólar is a masculine noun, so it requires the masculine article 'os'.
Writing 'dolares' without the accent. → dólares
The acute accent is mandatory in Portuguese to indicate the stressed open vowel.
Saying 'Americanos dólares'. → Dólares americanos
In Portuguese, adjectives usually come after the noun they modify.

Tips

Plural Agreement

Always match your adjectives to the masculine plural: 'Dólares americanos', not 'Dólares americanas'.

Open your 'O'

The accent on the 'ó' means it's an open sound. Practice saying 'DÓ' loudly.

Check the Câmbio

In Brazil, checking the 'dólar hoje' is a national pastime. It's a great conversation starter.

Accent Matters

Never forget the accent on 'dólares'. It changes the pronunciation and is required for correct spelling.

Learn Slang

Use 'doletas' with friends to sound more like a local Brazilian.

Conversion

When traveling, remember that 'trocar' means to exchange. 'Quero trocar reais por dólares'.

Hotel Payments

Many hotels in South America list prices in dólares to keep them stable against local inflation.

News Exposure

Listen to financial news in Portuguese to hear 'dólares' used in professional contexts.

The Tapped R

The 'r' in 'dólares' is soft. Don't roll it too hard; just a quick tap.

Price Tags

Note that '$ 10' in a US store is '10 dólares' in Portuguese speech.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a 'Door' (Dó) that leads to a 'Large' (la) 'Rest' (res) area where you spend your money.

Visual Association

Imagine a green dollar bill with a giant Portuguese accent mark (´) floating over the 'O'.

Word Web

Dinheiro EUA Câmbio Banco Viagem Preço Economia Moeda

Challenge

Try to find the current exchange rate of 'dólares' to your local currency and say the sentence: 'Um dólar vale [number] [currency]'.

Word Origin

The word comes from the German 'Thaler', which was a silver coin first minted in 1518 in Joachimsthal, Bohemia. It entered Portuguese via Spanish 'dólar'.

Original meaning: A coin from the valley (Thal in German).

Germanic origin, adopted into Romance languages.

Cultural Context

Be aware that in some countries with strict currency controls, discussing 'dólares' in the street might be sensitive or related to the black market.

The US dollar is the most common association, but Canadian and Australian dollars are also recognized.

The song 'Money' by Pink Floyd (often translated/discussed in PT) The movie 'A Fistful of Dollars' (Por um Punhado de Dólares) The phrase 'In God We Trust' found on dollars.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

At a Bank

Qual a cotação dos dólares?
Quero sacar dólares.
Posso depositar dólares?
A taxa para dólares é alta.

Traveling

Vocês aceitam dólares?
Quanto é isso em dólares?
Onde troco meus dólares?
Só tenho dólares comigo.

Shopping Online

O preço está em dólares.
Conversão automática para dólares.
Taxas extras em dólares.
Envio custa dez dólares.

Watching News

O dólar subiu.
O dólar caiu.
Reservas em dólares.
Crise dos dólares.

Business Meeting

O orçamento é em dólares.
Pagamento em dólares americanos.
Lucros em dólares.
Contrato indexado ao dólar.

Conversation Starters

"Você acha que o preço dos dólares vai subir amanhã?"

"Quantos dólares você acha que precisamos para uma semana em Miami?"

"Você prefere viajar com dólares em espécie ou no cartão?"

"Qual foi a coisa mais cara que você já comprou em dólares?"

"Você já teve problemas para trocar dólares em outro país?"

Journal Prompts

Descreva como você se sente quando o preço dos dólares sobe no seu país.

Escreva sobre uma viagem onde você teve que usar dólares pela primeira vez.

Se você ganhasse um milhão de dólares hoje, o que você faria primeiro?

Explique a importância dos dólares na economia global com suas próprias palavras.

Imagine que você está em uma casa de câmbio. Escreva o diálogo entre você e o atendente.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

It is masculine. You should always use masculine articles and adjectives, such as 'os dólares' or 'muitos dólares'. This is a common rule for most currencies in Portuguese.

The 'ó' with an acute accent is an open vowel, similar to the sound in the English word 'door' or 'hot' (in some accents). It is never closed like the 'o' in 'go'.

Not for daily transactions like buying bread, but they follow the dollar's value closely for its impact on the economy and use it for international travel and savings.

No, that is grammatically incorrect. In Portuguese, you must use the plural form 'dólares' for any amount other than one. 'Dez dólares' is the correct way.

The most common slang term specifically for dollars is 'doletas'. For money in general, Brazilians use 'grana'.

It comes from the German word 'Thaler', which was a silver coin. It entered the Portuguese language through Spanish.

You can use the '$' symbol. Formally, to distinguish it from the Brazilian Real (R$), you write 'US$' or 'USD'.

Mainly, but it can also refer to Canadian, Australian, or Hong Kong dollars. You usually add the nationality: 'dólares australianos'.

The stress is on the first syllable: DÓ-la-res. The acute accent marks the stressed syllable.

Yes, although Portugal uses the Euro, 'dólares' is frequently mentioned in news, movies, and international business contexts.