Cem vs. centena vs. cento
The Portuguese words cem, centena, and cento all relate to the number 100, but their usage differs depending on context, grammar, and meaning. Understanding these differences is crucial for proper usage.
Cem
A1Cem is the Portuguese word for one hundred and is used when the exact number 100 is referred to without any following numbers.
Eu tenho cem reais.
(I have one hundred reais.)
Cem pessoas participaram do evento.
(One hundred people participated in the event.)
O prêmio é de cem dólares.
(The prize is one hundred dollars.)
Centena
B1Centena means hundred but is typically used to describe a grouping or an approximate count of a hundred things, often used in a more general, less exact way.
Havia uma centena de pássaros no céu.
(There were about a hundred birds in the sky.)
Ele já escreveu mais de uma centena de cartas.
(He has already written more than a hundred letters.)
Recebemos centenas de mensagens ontem.
(We received hundreds of messages yesterday.)
Cento
A2Cento is used in compound numbers over 100, equivalent to hundred in numbers like 120 (cento e vinte). It does not stand alone and is always combined with other numbers.
O almoço custou cento e cinquenta reais.
(The lunch cost one hundred and fifty reais.)
O prédio tem cento e doze andares.
(The building has one hundred and twelve floors.)
O hotel fica a cento e dez quilômetros daqui.
(The hotel is one hundred and ten kilometers from here.)
Summary
Cem, centena, and cento all mean hundred but are used in different contexts: cem refers to the precise number 100, centena refers to a group or an approximate count of 100, and cento is used in compound numbers exceeding 100. Each plays a distinct role in the language, and knowing when to use each is essential for clear communication.