Numbers in Spanish
Numbers are a fundamental part of everyday conversations. Whether you're shopping, telling time, or discussing dates, having a solid grasp of numbers in Spanish will enhance your communication and make interactions more seamless. This guide will walk you through the basics, making it easy and enjoyable to learn Spanish numbers!
Basics of Spanish Numbers
Spanish numbers follow a logical system similar to English, but there’s a key distinction between cardinal numbers (which indicate quantity) and ordinal numbers (which indicate position). Cardinal numbers are used for counting, while ordinal numbers are used to rank or order items.
Numbers 0–10
Let’s begin with the numbers from 0 to 10. Below are the numbers along with their pronunciation:
| Number | Spanish | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | cero | seh-roh |
| 1 | uno | oo-noh |
| 2 | dos | dohs |
| 3 | tres | trehs |
| 4 | cuatro | kwah-troh |
| 5 | cinco | seen-koh |
| 6 | seis | says |
| 7 | siete | syay-teh |
| 8 | ocho | oh-choh |
| 9 | nueve | nweh-beh |
| 10 | diez | dyehs |
Example Sentences:
- Tengo dos gatos. (I have two cats.)
- Hay siete días en una semana. (There are seven days in a week.)
Numbers 11–20
Next, let’s look at the numbers from 11 to 20. Some of these numbers have unique forms:
| Number | Spanish | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| 11 | once | on-seh |
| 12 | doce | doh-seh |
| 13 | trece | treh-seh |
| 14 | catorce | kah-tor-seh |
| 15 | quince | keen-seh |
| 16 | dieciséis | dyeh-see-seis |
| 17 | diecisiete | dyeh-see-syeh-teh |
| 18 | dieciocho | dyeh-see-oh-choh |
| 19 | diecinueve | dyeh-see-nweh-beh |
| 20 | veinte | veyn-teh |
Example Sentences:
- Tengo quince años. (I am fifteen years old.)
- Hay dieciocho alumnos en la clase. (There are eighteen students in the class.)
Tens and Higher Numbers
After you’ve mastered 0–20, it’s time to move on to the tens. Here’s how to say the multiples of ten up to 100:
| Number | Spanish | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| 20 | veinte | veyn-teh |
| 30 | treinta | treyn-tah |
| 40 | cuarenta | kwah-ren-tah |
| 50 | cincuenta | seen-kwehn-tah |
| 60 | sesenta | seh-sen-tah |
| 70 | setenta | seh-ten-tah |
| 80 | ochenta | oh-chen-tah |
| 90 | noventa | noh-vehn-tah |
| 100 | cien | syen |
To form numbers between the tens, simply add the units. For example:
- 21 - veintiuno (veyn-tee-oo-noh)
- 45 - cuarenta y cinco (kwah-ren-tah ee seen-koh)
- 101 - ciento uno (syen-toh oo-noh)
Example Sentences:
- Hay treinta días en noviembre. (There are thirty days in November.)
- Compré cincuenta y cinco manzanas. (I bought fifty-five apples.)
Ordinal Numbers
Ordinal numbers are used to indicate position. Here are the first ten:
| Ordinal | Spanish | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | primero | pree-meh-roh |
| 2nd | segundo | seh-goon-doh |
| 3rd | tercero | tehr-seh-roh |
| 4th | cuarto | kwah-r-toh |
| 5th | quinto | keen-toh |
| 6th | sexto | sehk-stoh |
| 7th | séptimo | sep-tee-moh |
| 8th | octavo | ohk-tah-boh |
| 9th | noveno | noh-veh-noh |
| 10th | décimo | deh-see-moh |
Example Sentences:
- Mi cumpleaños es el tercero de mayo. (My birthday is on the third of May.)
- El quinto libro es muy interesante. (The fifth book is very interesting.)
Useful Tips for Learning Numbers
Here are some tips to make learning Spanish numbers easier and more enjoyable:
- Flashcards: Create or download flashcards with the number on one side and the Spanish word on the other. This reinforces memory through visual recognition. Apps like Anki are great for this.
- Practice with Native Speakers: Conversations with native speakers are invaluable. Practice using numbers in real contexts, such as shopping (prices, quantities), ordering food, or booking accommodations (room numbers, dates). This will help solidify your number skills.
- Listen to Podcasts or Watch Videos: Find podcasts or YouTube videos that focus on beginner Spanish lessons, especially those that include numbers. Repeating along with native speakers will improve your listening and pronunciation skills.
- Learn with Apps like FluenDay: Learning apps like FluenDay can help you master numbers with ease. FluenDay offers tailored lessons and quizzes, providing daily challenges that help you strengthen your vocabulary, including numbers. This keeps the learning process interactive and enjoyable.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
When learning numbers in Spanish, be mindful of these common mistakes:
- Gender Agreement: Some numbers change form depending on the gender of the noun. For example, you'll say un libro (a book) but una casa (a house). This mainly applies to uno, which becomes un before masculine nouns and una before feminine nouns.
- Mispronunciation: Spanish pronunciation can be tricky. Words like cinco (five) should be pronounced "seen-koh," not "sink-oh." Listening to native speakers and practicing aloud can help perfect your pronunciation.
- Mixing up Similar Numbers: Numbers like catorce (fourteen) and cuarenta (forty), or quince (fifteen) and cinco (five), can sound similar. Practice carefully to avoid confusion.
- Accents and Stress Marks: Pay attention to stress and accents, which can change the meaning or correct pronunciation of a word. For example, décimo (tenth) has an accent on the "e" that affects the pronunciation. Ignoring these can lead to misunderstandings.
Conclusion
Mastering numbers in Spanish is a valuable skill that will enhance your communication and confidence in everyday conversations. With regular practice and the right tools, such as FluenDay, you'll be counting fluently in no time!
