Numbers are the building blocks of communication in Spanish. From counting to 100 to performing basic math, these skills are crucial for everyday interactions. Mastering numbers opens doors to discussing prices, dates, and time.
In this section, we'll cover counting from 0 to 100, recognizing number patterns, and using numbers in math operations. We'll also explore how numbers are used in real-life situations like shopping, giving addresses, and telling time.
Counting in Spanish
Numbers 0-15
- The Spanish numbers 0-15 are cero, uno, dos, tres, cuatro, cinco, seis, siete, ocho, nueve, diez, once, doce, trece, catorce, quince
- These numbers form the foundation for counting in Spanish and are essential to learn first
Numbers 16-29
- The Spanish numbers 16-19 follow a specific pattern by combining "diez" (ten) with the numbers 6-9: dieciséis (16), diecisiete (17), dieciocho (18), diecinueve (19)
- Spanish numbers 21-29 are formed by combining the word for twenty (veinte) with the word "y" (and) followed by the corresponding unit: veintiuno (21), veintidós (22), veintitrés (23), veinticuatro (24), veinticinco (25), veintiséis (26), veintisiete (27), veintiocho (28), veintinueve (29)
Tens and Numbers 31-99
- The Spanish numbers for the tens (20, 30, 40, etc.) are veinte, treinta, cuarenta, cincuenta, sesenta, setenta, ochenta, noventa
- Spanish numbers 31-99 are formed by stating the tens place followed by the word "y" (and) and then the ones place: treinta y uno (31), cuarenta y dos (42), cincuenta y tres (53), sesenta y cuatro (64), setenta y cinco (75), ochenta y seis (86), noventa y siete (97)
The Number 100
- The number 100 in Spanish is "cien"
- Larger numbers like 200 (doscientos), 300 (trescientos), etc. change form based on gender and whether they are followed by other numbers
Spanish Number Recognition
Writing Numbers
- Spanish numbers can be written using either digits (1, 2, 3) or words (uno, dos, tres)
- When writing numbers in word form, the word "y" (and) is used between the tens and ones places for numbers 31-99, but not for numbers 21-29
- When writing numbers in the hundreds or thousands, the word "y" (and) is not used between the hundreds and tens places: 125 is "ciento veinticinco", not "ciento y veinticinco"
Gender and Accents
- In Spanish, the masculine form of "one" (un/uno) is used when counting or listing items, while the feminine form (una) is used before feminine nouns
- Accents are used in the numbers 16-19 and in the tens places for 20-90: dieciséis, veintidós, treinta, cuarenta, cincuenta, sesenta, setenta, ochenta, noventa
Reading Large Numbers
- Spanish numbers in the hundreds follow a pattern: 100 (cien), 200 (doscientos), 300 (trescientos), 400 (cuatrocientos), 500 (quinientos), 600 (seiscientos), 700 (setecientos), 800 (ochocientos), 900 (novecientos)
- For numbers 200-900, the hundreds word changes based on the gender of the noun it modifies and whether it is followed by other numbers: 200 pesos (doscientos pesos), 201 pesos (doscientos un pesos)
Math with Spanish Numbers
Basic Operations
- Addition in Spanish uses the verb "sumar" and the word "más" (plus): Dos más tres son cinco (2 + 3 = 5)
- Subtraction in Spanish uses the verb "restar" and the word "menos" (minus): Siete menos cuatro son tres (7 - 4 = 3)
- Multiplication in Spanish uses the verb "multiplicar" and the word "por" (times): Cinco por seis son treinta (5 x 6 = 30)
- Division in Spanish uses the verb "dividir" and the word "entre" (divided by): Doce dividido entre tres son cuatro (12 ÷ 3 = 4)
Expressing Equality
- The word "igual" or the phrase "es igual a" is used to say "equals" in Spanish: Ocho más nueve es igual a diecisiete (8 + 9 = 17)
- When solving equations, the verb "ser" (to be) is often used to express equality: Equis más cinco es igual a doce (X + 5 = 12)
Fractions and Decimals
- Fractions in Spanish are expressed using ordinal numbers for the numerator and cardinal numbers for the denominator: un tercio (1/3), tres quintos (3/5), siete octavos (7/8)
- Decimal numbers in Spanish use a comma instead of a period to separate the whole number from the decimal: 3,14 (3.14), 0,5 (0.5), 7,92 (7.92)
Spanish Numbers in Context
Prices and Shopping
- When discussing prices in Spanish, the word "euro" or "dólar" is placed after the number: Cuesta veinte euros (It costs 20 euros)
- To ask for the price of an item, use "¿Cuánto cuesta?" (How much does it cost?) or "¿Cuánto vale?" (How much is it?)
- The verb "costar" (to cost) is often used when discussing prices: Los zapatos cuestan ochenta y cinco dólares (The shoes cost 85 dollars)
Addresses, Phone Numbers, and Dates
- Spanish numbers are used when giving addresses, phone numbers, and dates
- For addresses, the number is placed before the street name: Vivo en Calle Alcalá, 35 (I live at 35 Alcalá Street)
- Phone numbers are stated in pairs: Mi número es seis ocho, cuatro cinco, siete dos, nueve uno (My number is 68-45-72-91)
- Dates are expressed with the day first, followed by the month and year: Hoy es el tres de mayo de dos mil veintiuno (Today is May 3, 2021)
Time and Age
- When telling time in Spanish, the number of the hour is followed by "y" (and) and the number of minutes: Son las tres y cuarto (It's quarter past three), Son las siete y media (It's half past seven)
- To express age, the verb "tener" (to have) is used with the number of years: Tengo veinticinco años (I am 25 years old), Mi hermano tiene doce años (My brother is 12 years old)