Portuguese Phrase
Meu número de referência é 12345.
Meaning
The sentence means ‘My reference number is 12345.’ It is a straightforward way to give a specific identifier, often used in customer service, banking, or administrative contexts.
When to use
Use this phrase when you need to provide a reference code to a representative, fill out a form, or confirm an identifier in a formal or semi‑formal setting. It is common in phone calls, emails, and in‑person interactions with institutions.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Meunúmerodereferênciaé12345
Possessive adjective (Meu)
‘Meu’ agrees in gender and number with the noun it modifies; here it is masculine singular to match ‘número’.
Noun + prepositional phrase (número de referência)
‘de’ links two nouns, indicating that the number belongs to a reference; this structure is common for compound nouns.
Verb ‘ser’ for identity (é)
Use the verb ‘ser’ to equate two nouns or noun phrases; the verb must agree with the subject (singular ‘número’ → ‘é’).
Numbers as predicates
When a number follows ‘ser’, it functions as a predicate noun and does not need an article.
🗨In Conversation
Qual é o seu número de referência, por favor?
What is your reference number, please?
Meu número de referência é 12345.
My reference number is 12345.
✕Common Mistakes
Meu número de referência são 12345.
‘São’ is plural; the subject ‘número’ is singular, so the correct verb is ‘é’.
Meu número de referencia é 12345.
Missing the accent on ‘referência’ changes pronunciation and is considered a spelling error.
Meu número de referência é número 12345.
Repeating ‘número’ is redundant; the phrase already identifies the number.
↔Alternatives
O número de referência é 12345.
The reference number is 12345.
Número de referência: 12345.
Reference number: 12345.
Meu código de referência é 12345.
My reference code is 12345.
Cultural Tip
In Brazil, reference numbers are often asked for in banks, post offices, and customer‑service centers. It’s polite to state the number clearly and repeat it if the agent asks for confirmation. Avoid abbreviating the number (e.g., ‘um‑dois‑três‑quatro‑cinco’) unless the context is very informal.