7. Numbers and Counting in Spanish
Learning numbers is a fundamental part of mastering any language, and Spanish is no exception. Whether you're shopping, telling time, or simply counting objects, numbers are essential. In this chapter, we'll explore the Spanish numeral system, which is both logical and straightforward, yet has its unique characteristics that require attention.
Basic Numbers: 0 to 10
The foundation of counting in Spanish begins with the numbers from 0 to 10. Here they are:
- 0 - Cero
- 1 - Uno
- 2 - Dos
- 3 - Tres
- 4 - Cuatro
- 5 - Cinco
- 6 - Seis
- 7 - Siete
- 8 - Ocho
- 9 - Nueve
- 10 - Diez
These numbers are the building blocks for all other numbers, so it's crucial to memorize them well. Notice how similar some of them sound to their English counterparts, which can make them easier to remember.
Numbers 11 to 20
The numbers from 11 to 15 have unique names that don't follow a regular pattern, so they need to be memorized individually:
- 11 - Once
- 12 - Doce
- 13 - Trece
- 14 - Catorce
- 15 - Quince
From 16 to 19, numbers are formed by combining the root of the unit (seis, siete, ocho, nueve) with the word "diez" (ten), often contracted:
- 16 - Dieciséis
- 17 - Diecisiete
- 18 - Dieciocho
- 19 - Diecinueve
The number 20 is "veinte". These numbers are often the trickiest for beginners, so practice them until they feel natural.
Counting by Tens: 20 to 100
Once you reach 20, Spanish numbers become more regular. Here are the tens:
- 20 - Veinte
- 30 - Treinta
- 40 - Cuarenta
- 50 - Cincuenta
- 60 - Sesenta
- 70 - Setenta
- 80 - Ochenta
- 90 - Noventa
- 100 - Cien
To form numbers between these tens, you simply add "y" (and) followed by the unit. For example:
- 21 - Veintiuno
- 22 - Veintidós
- 31 - Treinta y uno
- 45 - Cuarenta y cinco
- 58 - Cincuenta y ocho
- 99 - Noventa y nueve
Note that from 21 to 29, the "veinte" becomes "veinti" and is written as one word with the unit.
Hundreds and Beyond
Once you reach 100, numbers continue to follow a predictable pattern. Here's how you count by hundreds:
- 100 - Cien (becomes "ciento" when followed by another number)
- 200 - Doscientos
- 300 - Trescientos
- 400 - Cuatrocientos
- 500 - Quinientos
- 600 - Seiscientos
- 700 - Setecientos
- 800 - Ochocientos
- 900 - Novecientos
- 1000 - Mil
For numbers between hundreds, you simply combine the hundred with the tens and units, similar to how you do in English:
- 101 - Ciento uno
- 256 - Doscientos cincuenta y seis
- 374 - Trescientos setenta y cuatro
- 999 - Novecientos noventa y nueve
Thousands and Beyond
Once you reach the thousands, the word "mil" (thousand) is used. Here are some examples:
- 1000 - Mil
- 2000 - Dos mil
- 5000 - Cinco mil
- 10,000 - Diez mil
- 100,000 - Cien mil
When dealing with millions, the word "millón" is used, and it is important to note that it is singular, while "millones" is plural:
- 1,000,000 - Un millón
- 2,000,000 - Dos millones
- 5,000,000 - Cinco millones
Special Considerations
There are some special considerations to keep in mind when dealing with Spanish numbers:
- Gender Agreement: When numbers are used with nouns, they need to agree in gender. For example, "un libro" (a book) vs. "una casa" (a house).
- Ordinal Numbers: Spanish also uses ordinal numbers (first, second, third, etc.), which are important in everyday language. The first few are "primero", "segundo", "tercero", "cuarto", and so on.
- Decimal Points and Commas: In Spanish-speaking countries, a comma is often used where a decimal point would be in English, and vice versa. For example, 1,000.50 in English would be written as 1.000,50 in Spanish.
Practice Makes Perfect
To master numbers in Spanish, practice is key. Try counting objects around you, telling time, or even doing simple math in Spanish. The more you use numbers, the more comfortable you'll become.
Remember, numbers are a crucial part of language learning, and with patience and practice, you'll be counting in Spanish like a native speaker in no time!
