Numbers play a vital role in communication, enabling us to quantify, count, measure, and describe various aspects of our world. In Spanish, numbers follow specific patterns and rules, much like in English.

Cardinal Numbers

Cardinal numbers are used for counting and expressing quantity. Here’s a list of cardinal numbers from 1 to 20 in Spanish:

– 1: uno

– 2: dos

– 3: tres

– 4: cuatro

– 5: cinco

– 6: seis

– 7: siete

– 8: ocho

– 9: nueve

– 10: diez

– 11: once

– 12: doce

– 13: trece

– 14: catorce

– 15: quince

– 16: dieciséis

– 17: diecisiete

– 18: dieciocho

– 19: diecinueve

– 20: veinte

Compound Numbers

Numbers beyond 20 are formed by combining the tens and units. For example:

– 21: veintiuno (twenty-one)

– 22: veintidós (twenty-two)

To continue you have to attach the cardinal number to the steam «veinti».

– 23: veintitrés (twenty-three)

….

– 30: treinta (thirty)

– 31: treinta y uno.

In this case, to continue you have to add «y» follow by the cardinal number.

– 40: cuarenta (forty)       41: cuerenta y uno

– 50: cincuenta (fifty)      51: cincuenta y uno

– 60: sesenta (sixty)         61: sesenta y uno

– 70: setenta (seventy)     71: setenta y uno

– 80: ochenta (eighty)      81: ochenta y uno

– 90: noventa (ninety)      91: noventa y uno

Larger Numbers

For larger numbers, Spanish follows a similar pattern to English. For instance:

– 100: cien (one hundred)

– 101: ciento uno (one hundred and one)

To continue you just have to add the cardinal number after «ciento».

– 200: doscientos (two hundred)    201: doscientos uno 

– 300: trescientos.

– 400: cuatrocientos 

– 500: quinientos

– 600: seiscientos

– 700: setecientos 

– 800: ochocientos

– 900: novecientos 

….

– 1000: mil (one thousand)

-2000: dos mil

To continue you  have to use the cardinal number and finish with the word «mil».

– 3000 : tres mil.

– 4000 : cuatro mil.

….

Ordinal Numbers

Ordinal numbers denote the position in a sequence. Here are some examples:

– 1st: primero (first)

– 2nd: segundo (second)

– 3rd: tercero (third)

– 4th: cuarto (fourth)

– 5th: quinto (fifth)

– 6th: sexto(sixth)

– 7th: séptimo (seventh)

– 8th: octavo (eighth)

– 9th: noveno (ninth)

– 10th: décimo(tenth)

– 11th: décimo primero (eleventh)

– 12th: décimo segundo (twelfth)

– 13th: décimo tercero (thirteenth)

….

Decimal Numbers

In Spanish, decimal numbers use a comma instead of a period to denote the decimal point. For example:

– 3.14 (pi) is written as 3,14

– 2.5 is written as 2,5

Fractions

Fractions in Spanish are expressed by stating the numerator (cardinal number )followed by the denominator (ordinal number). For example:

– 1/2: un medio (one half)  *Don’t say uno, say «un» and say «medio» instead of «segundo».

– 1/4: un cuarto (one quarter)

– 3/4: tres cuartos (three quarters)

– 3/2: tres medios (three halves)

Examples 

1.240.113: Un millón, doscientos cuarenta mil, ciento trece.

4.589.321: Cuatro millones, quinientos ochenta y nueve mil, trescientos veintiuno.

Understanding Spanish numbers is essential for effective communication, whether you’re counting, describing quantities, or discussing time and dates. Mastery of these numbers will enhance your proficiency in the language and enrich your cultural experience.