Portuguese · Numbers & Time
Um / Uma
[/ũ/ /ˈuma/]
One
Beginnernumeral
Definition
The cardinal number one; also the indefinite article in Portuguese.
Número cardinal um; também artigo indefinido.
Example
Quero um café, por favor.
I want one coffee, please.
Etymology
The word 'um' / 'uma' derives from the Latin 'Unum' for masculine and 'Una' for feminine, both meaning 'one'. In Portuguese, these terms evolved into distinct forms to agree with the gender of the nouns they accompany.
How & Where It’s Used
Used in both formal and informal contexts, 'um' and 'uma' appear in spoken and written Portuguese. They are universally used across various Portuguese-speaking regions.