Portuguese Phrase
São 10 libras.
Meaning
This sentence states the price or amount: ‘It is ten pounds.’ It can refer to the British currency (GBP) or to a weight of ten pounds, depending on context.
When to use
Use this phrase when you need to tell someone the cost of an item, the amount of money you have, or the weight of something measured in pounds.
✦Grammar Breakdown
São10libras.
Ser for plural quantities
Use the verb 'ser' in its plural form 'são' when the subject is a plural noun or a number greater than one.
Number agreement
When the number is expressed as a digit, the verb still agrees with the noun that follows (e.g., 'São 10 libras').
Currency noun gender
‘Libras’ is feminine plural, so the verb must be plural and the noun stays in its plural form.
🗨In Conversation
Quanto custa este livro?
How much does this book cost?
São 10 libras.
It’s ten pounds.
✕Common Mistakes
É 10 libras.
Use 'são' for plural quantities; 'é' is only for singular.
São 10 libra.
The noun must match the plural number; 'libra' is singular.
São dez libra.
Both the verb and the noun need to be plural when the number is greater than one.
↔Alternatives
São dez libras.
It is ten pounds.
Custa dez libras.
It costs ten pounds.
O preço é dez libras.
The price is ten pounds.
Cultural Tip
In Portugal, ‘libras’ usually refers to the British pound sterling, not the Portuguese ‘escudo’ (which is obsolete) or the metric pound. When traveling, be aware that prices are often quoted in euros, so you may need to convert. In Brazil, ‘libras’ is more commonly understood as a unit of weight, so context is key.