algovsalgumWhat's the difference?

Quick tell: algo is a adverb, algum is a pronoun, so they fill different roles in a sentence.

Which to use

“algo” is an adverb and “algum” is a pronoun - they look or sound alike but fill different roles in a sentence.

#222
“algo” frequency rank
#371
“algum” frequency rank
593
confusion score

Side-by-Side Comparison

Feature algo algum
Definition um pouco, de certo modo um certo

Where the spellings diverge

Shared letters are muted; the letters that actually set algo and algum apart are highlighted. They share 3 letters in sequence, which is exactly why the eye skips the difference.

4 ch
algo
5 ch
algum

Spelling & Dictionary Insight

Our dataset has no pronunciation recorded for both members, so the reliable separator here is grammatical: algo is anadverb and algumapronoun. On the page they differ by 1 letter(s) in length. Our composite confusion score for this pair is 593, derived from the frequency rank of both members and their visual similarity.

algo is recorded at frequency rank #222, classified as anadv, pronounced /ˈaw.gu/. algum is at rank #371, tagged as apron.

Glosses for this pair are partially populated in our dataset, but the full side-by-side definitions above should still guide you to the right choice.

With a confusion score of 593, this pair ranks #75,080 of 75,631 scored Portuguese confusable pairs - a relatively easy-to-tell-apart pair.

Orthographic DNA of algo vs algum

Shared letters: agl. Private to "algo": o. Private to "algum": mu.

"algo" · 4 letters · shape VCCV  ·  "algum" · 5 letters · shape VCCVC

Known mistypes of this pair

  • algoaglo · alggo · allgo · alog
  • algumaglum · alggum · algmu · algumm · allgum · alugm · lagum

Frequency comparison

algo#222
algum#371

Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list

Frequently Asked Questions

Can "algo" and "algum" be used interchangeably?
No - they are not even the same part of speech. "algo" is an adverb and "algum" a pronoun, so a sentence built for one is usually ungrammatical with the other.
Which is more common, "algo" or "algum"?
"algo" is the more common of the two: it sits at frequency rank #222 in our Portuguese list, against #371 for "algum". The two are close in frequency, so neither is a safe default; check the meaning rather than guessing.

Remembering algo vs algum

The fastest way to pick the right one every time.

  • Check the role first: if you need an adverb, it's “algo”; for a pronoun, it's “algum”.
  • See each word in full, definition, IPA, etymology and its other confusables. Full “algo” entry
  • Browse more pairs most likely to be confused. Most confusable

Source: Wiktionary (via kaikki.org) Structured Wiktionary extract

Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list FrequencyWords open word-frequency list