Question 1

Why do we use mais de here instead of mais do que?

Accepted Answer

When expressing a quantity greater than a specific number, you must use mais de before the numeral (in this case, cem). You only use mais do que (or mais que) when comparing two different nouns or verbs, like saying one locomotive is faster than another.

Question 2

Does it sound repetitive to native speakers to say ...velocidade de mais de...?

Accepted Answer

Not at all! The first de connects the noun velocidade to its value (literally, 'a speed of'), and the second de is part of the fixed phrase mais de ('more than'). While it puts two de syllables close together, it is grammatically required and sounds completely natural.

Question 3

Could I use the verb chegar instead of atingir to mean 'reaches' here?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you could say chega a uma velocidade de.... However, the verb atingir is highly common and sounds a bit more precise when talking about hitting specific targets, peaks, or scientific measurements like speed, temperature, or limits.

Question 4

I sometimes mix up cem and cento. Why is it cem here?

Accepted Answer

You use cem for the exact number 100. Cento is used when you are adding other numbers to it, like 105 (cento e cinco), or when saying 'percent' (por cento). Since the specific number mentioned here is exactly 100, cem is correct.

A locomotiva atinge uma velocidade de mais de cem quilómetros por hora.

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