How to Read Prices and Decimal Numbers in Brazil
Brazilian formatting commonly writes 1.234,56 for one thousand two hundred thirty-four reais and fifty-six centavos.
Real Life Portuguese · 5 min read · Updated October 14, 2026
The short answer
Brazilian Portuguese number formatting usually uses a comma for decimals and a period to group thousands. So R$ 1.234,56 is one thousand two hundred thirty-four reais and fifty-six centavos. In English-language formats, the same amount often appears as R$1,234.56—the punctuation marks switch roles.
Read the comma as the decimal mark
The currency symbol R$ stands for reais; one real is singular and reais is plural. Prices are often spoken naturally as reais and centavos, while smaller centavo amounts may be read with the decimal fraction in casual contexts.
R$ 8,50 — oito reais e cinquenta centavos.
R$8.50—eight reais and fifty centavos.
R$ 29,90 — vinte e nove reais e noventa centavos.
R$29.90—twenty-nine reais and ninety centavos.
R$ 1.250,00 — mil duzentos e cinquenta reais.
R$1,250.00—one thousand two hundred fifty reais.
Confirm the amount before you pay
When an amount is unfamiliar, ask the person to repeat it or type it into a calculator: pode mostrar o valor? (could you show me the amount?). This is especially helpful when the difference between reais and centavos matters or when you are listening in a noisy shop.
Prices vary by store, place, and date, so treat the figures here as number examples rather than current market prices. Practise reading the punctuation correctly and use quanto custa? to ask the price of an item.
Quanto custa este ingresso?
How much does this ticket cost?
Você pode repetir o valor, por favor?
Could you repeat the amount, please?
São doze reais e vinte centavos.
It’s twelve reais and twenty centavos.
Put it into practice
In Brazilian formatting, the comma marks cents and the period groups thousands: R$ 1.234,56. Read the amount aloud carefully and ask for a repeat when needed.
Quick practice
Which Portuguese example matches “It’s twelve reais and twenty centavos”?
Choose an answer to check yourself.
Keep practicing with the Real Life Portuguese app
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