Mastering Spanish Numbers: A Comprehensive Grammar Guide

Understanding Spanish numbers is crucial for everyday communication, from telling time and expressing dates to making purchases and understanding statistics. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of Spanish number grammar, covering cardinal, ordinal, partitive, and collective numbers, along with their usage rules and common mistakes.

Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced learner, this article will equip you with the knowledge and practice you need to confidently use Spanish numbers.

This article is designed for students of all levels, from those just starting their Spanish journey to advanced learners looking to refine their understanding of numerical expressions. With clear explanations, numerous examples, and practical exercises, you’ll gain a solid foundation in Spanish number grammar.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Definition of Spanish Numbers
3. Structural Breakdown of Spanish Numbers
4. Cardinal Numbers
   • Numbers 1-15
   • Numbers 16-29
   • Numbers 30-99
   • Numbers 100 and Beyond
5. Ordinal Numbers
   • Formation of Ordinal Numbers
   • Usage of Ordinal Numbers
6. Partitive Numbers
7. Collective Numbers
8. Examples of Spanish Numbers in Use
   • Cardinal Number Examples
   • Ordinal Number Examples
   • Partitive Number Examples
   • Collective Number Examples
9. Usage Rules for Spanish Numbers
   • Gender Agreement
   • Number Agreement
   • Contractions
10. Common Mistakes with Spanish Numbers
11. Practice Exercises
12. Advanced Topics in Spanish Numbers
    • Percentages
    • Fractions
    • Decimals
13. Frequently Asked Questions
14. Conclusion

Definition of Spanish Numbers

Spanish numbers are words used to quantify or indicate the position of objects, people, or concepts. They are a fundamental part of the Spanish language, used in a wide range of contexts.

Spanish numbers can be classified into several categories, each with its own specific function and usage rules.

Numbers in Spanish serve several crucial functions. They allow us to count, measure, and express quantities.

They also help us to indicate order or sequence, as well as to divide quantities into parts. Understanding the different types of numbers and their functions is essential for effective communication in Spanish.

The primary classifications of Spanish numbers include cardinal numbers (used for counting), ordinal numbers (used for indicating order), partitive numbers (used for indicating fractions or parts), and collective numbers (used for indicating groups or sets).

Structural Breakdown of Spanish Numbers

The structure of Spanish numbers is based on a decimal system, similar to English. However, there are some key differences in how numbers are formed and combined.

Understanding these structural elements is crucial for mastering Spanish number grammar.

The building blocks of Spanish numbers are the numbers from zero to nine: cero, uno, dos, tres, cuatro, cinco, seis, siete, ocho, nueve. These form the basis for all other numbers. Numbers from ten to fifteen have their own unique names: diez, once, doce, trece, catorce, quince. After fifteen, the numbers are formed by combining ‘diez’ with the numbers one through nine, with some spelling changes.

For numbers above thirty, the structure becomes more regular. Tens are formed by adding ‘-enta’ to the root of the number (e.g., cuarenta for forty, cincuenta for fifty). Compound numbers are formed by combining the tens with the numbers one through nine, using the conjunction ‘y’ (and). For example, cuarenta y uno (forty-one), cincuenta y dos (fifty-two).

Cardinal Numbers

Cardinal numbers are used for counting and expressing quantity. They answer the question “How many?”.

They are the most commonly used type of number in Spanish.

Numbers 1-15

The numbers 1-15 are the foundation for learning all other numbers in Spanish. They are unique and must be memorized.

Number	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

These numbers are the building blocks for larger numbers. Practice memorizing them to build a strong foundation in Spanish numbers. For example, “Tengo tres hermanos” (I have three siblings), “Necesito cinco manzanas” (I need five apples).

Numbers 16-29

The numbers 16-19 are formed by combining ‘dieci-‘ with the numbers 6-9. Numbers 20-29 follow a similar pattern, combining ‘veinti-‘ with numbers 1-9.

Number	Spanish
16	Dieciséis
17	Diecisiete
18	Dieciocho
19	Diecinueve
20	Veinte
21	Veintiuno
22	Veintidós
23	Veintitrés
24	Veinticuatro
25	Veinticinco
26	Veintiséis
27	Veintisiete
28	Veintiocho
29	Veintinueve

Notice the spelling changes in some of these numbers. For example, “Dieciséis” has an accent mark. “Veintiuno” changes to “veintiún” before masculine nouns. Practice using these numbers in sentences to become more comfortable with them. For example, “Tengo diecisiete años” (I am seventeen years old), “Hay veinticinco estudiantes en la clase” (There are twenty-five students in the class).

Numbers 30-99

Numbers 30-99 are formed by combining the tens (treinta, cuarenta, cincuenta, sesenta, setenta, ochenta, noventa) with the numbers 1-9, using the conjunction “y”.

Number	Spanish
30	Treinta
31	Treinta y uno
40	Cuarenta
42	Cuarenta y dos
50	Cincuenta
53	Cincuenta y tres
60	Sesenta
64	Sesenta y cuatro
70	Setenta
75	Setenta y cinco
80	Ochenta
86	Ochenta y seis
90	Noventa
97	Noventa y siete

Remember to include the “y” (and) between the tens and the units. For example, “Tengo cuarenta y cinco libros” (I have forty-five books), “El precio es sesenta y ocho euros” (The price is sixty-eight euros).

Numbers 100 and Beyond

Numbers 100 and beyond follow a similar pattern, combining hundreds, tens, and units. The word for one hundred is “cien” (or “ciento” when followed by other numbers).

The hundreds are formed by adding “-cientos” to the root of the number.

Number	Spanish
100	Cien (or Ciento)
101	Ciento uno
200	Doscientos
300	Trescientos
400	Cuatrocientos
500	Quinientos
600	Seiscientos
700	Setecientos
800	Ochocientos
900	Novecientos
1,000	Mil
1,001	Mil uno
1,100	Mil cien
2,000	Dos mil
10,000	Diez mil
100,000	Cien mil
1,000,000	Un millón
2,000,000	Dos millones

Note that “cien” is used before nouns, while “ciento” is used when followed by other numbers. Also, “mil” does not change in the plural (dos mil, tres mil, etc.), but “millón” does (un millón, dos millones, etc.). Large numbers are formed by combining these elements. For example, “Tengo mil doscientos libros” (I have one thousand two hundred books), “El coche cuesta veinticinco mil euros” (The car costs twenty-five thousand euros).

Ordinal Numbers

Ordinal numbers indicate order or position in a sequence. They answer the question “Which one?”.

Examples of ordinal numbers include first, second, third, etc.

Formation of Ordinal Numbers

Ordinal numbers are generally formed by adding “-o” or “-a” to the end of the number stem, depending on the gender of the noun they modify. However, some ordinal numbers have irregular forms, especially the first few.

Number	Masculine	Feminine
1st	Primero	Primera
2nd	Segundo	Segunda
3rd	Tercero	Tercera
4th	Cuarto	Cuarta
5th	Quinto	Quinta
6th	Sexto	Sexta
7th	Séptimo	Séptima
8th	Octavo	Octava
9th	Noveno	Novena
10th	Décimo	Décima

Note that “primero” and “tercero” shorten to “primer” and “tercer” before masculine singular nouns. For example, “el primer día” (the first day), “el tercer piso” (the third floor). Practice using ordinal numbers in sentences, paying attention to gender agreement.

Usage of Ordinal Numbers

Ordinal numbers are used to indicate position in a sequence, order of events, or ranking. They are commonly used with dates, floors of buildings, and in competitions.

When using ordinal numbers with dates, only “primero” is used for the first day of the month. For example, “el primero de enero” (the first of January). For all other days, cardinal numbers are used. For example, “el dos de febrero” (the second of February), “el tres de marzo” (the third of March).

Ordinal numbers must agree in gender and number with the noun they modify. For example, “la segunda oportunidad” (the second opportunity, feminine singular), “los primeros días” (the first days, masculine plural).

Partitive Numbers

Partitive numbers express fractions or parts of a whole. They are less commonly used than cardinal and ordinal numbers, but still important to understand.

Common partitive numbers include: medio (half), tercio (third), cuarto (fourth), quinto (fifth), sexto (sixth), séptimo (seventh), octavo (eighth), noveno (ninth), décimo (tenth).

Partitive numbers are often used with the preposition “de”. For example, “un tercio de la clase” (one-third of the class), “la mitad del pastel” (half of the cake). Note that “medio” agrees in gender and number with the noun it modifies. For example, “medio litro” (half a liter, masculine singular), “media hora” (half an hour, feminine singular).

Collective Numbers

Collective numbers refer to groups or sets of things. They indicate a quantity of items taken as a unit.

Examples of collective numbers include: par (pair), docena (dozen), centena (hundred), millar (thousand). These numbers refer to a specific quantity of items grouped together.

Collective numbers are used to express a quantity of items considered as a single unit. For example, “un par de zapatos” (a pair of shoes), “una docena de huevos” (a dozen eggs). They can also be used to refer to an approximate quantity. For example, “una centena de personas” (about a hundred people), “un millar de euros” (about a thousand euros).

Examples of Spanish Numbers in Use

This section provides a variety of examples showcasing the use of Spanish numbers in different contexts. These examples will help you understand how to use numbers correctly in everyday conversations and writing.

Cardinal Number Examples

Cardinal numbers are the most frequently used type of number. They are used for counting, expressing quantities, and providing numerical information.

English	Spanish
I have two cats.	Tengo dos gatos.
She bought three books.	Ella compró tres libros.
There are four chairs in the room.	Hay cuatro sillas en la habitación.
We need five apples.	Necesitamos cinco manzanas.
He has six siblings.	Él tiene seis hermanos.
I saw seven birds in the park.	Vi siete pájaros en el parque.
She ate eight cookies.	Ella comió ocho galletas.
They have nine children.	Ellos tienen nueve hijos.
I need ten dollars.	Necesito diez dólares.
There are eleven players on the team.	Hay once jugadores en el equipo.
She bought twelve eggs.	Ella compró doce huevos.
I am thirteen years old.	Tengo trece años.
He has fourteen cousins.	Él tiene catorce primos.
There are fifteen students in the class.	Hay quince estudiantes en la clase.
I am sixteen years old.	Tengo dieciséis años.
She has seventeen books.	Ella tiene diecisiete libros.
There are eighteen houses on the street.	Hay dieciocho casas en la calle.
I need nineteen euros.	Necesito diecinueve euros.
He is twenty years old.	Él tiene veinte años.
I have twenty-one friends.	Tengo veintiún amigos.
She bought twenty-two flowers.	Ella compró veintidós flores.
There are twenty-three chairs.	Hay veintitrés sillas.
I need twenty-four hours.	Necesito veinticuatro horas.
He has twenty-five dollars.	Él tiene veinticinco dólares.
They have twenty-six pets.	Ellos tienen veintiséis mascotas.
I saw twenty-seven birds.	Vi veintisiete pájaros.
She ate twenty-eight cookies.	Ella comió veintiocho galletas.
There are twenty-nine students.	Hay veintinueve estudiantes.
He is thirty years old.	Él tiene treinta años.

These examples demonstrate the use of cardinal numbers in various contexts. Pay attention to the agreement of nouns and adjectives with the numbers used.

Ordinal Number Examples

Ordinal numbers are used to indicate the position of something in a sequence or order. They are commonly used with dates, floors, and rankings.

English	Spanish
He is the first student.	Él es el primer estudiante.
She lives on the second floor.	Ella vive en el segundo piso.
This is the third time I’ve seen him.	Esta es la tercera vez que lo veo.
It’s the fourth day of the month.	Es el cuarto día del mes.
She finished in fifth place.	Ella terminó en quinto lugar.
This is the sixth chapter of the book.	Este es el sexto capítulo del libro.
He is the seventh son.	Él es el séptimo hijo.
She lives on the eighth street.	Ella vive en la octava calle.
This is the ninth time I’ve called.	Esta es la novena vez que llamo.
He is the tenth president.	Él es el décimo presidente.
The first of May.	El primero de mayo.
She is the first woman.	Ella es la primera mujer.
The second chance.	La segunda oportunidad.
Third place.	Tercer lugar.
The fourth week.	La cuarta semana.
Fifth Avenue.	La Quinta Avenida.
The sixth sense.	El sexto sentido.
Seventh heaven.	El séptimo cielo.
The eighth wonder.	La octava maravilla.
Ninth grade.	Noveno grado.

These examples illustrate how ordinal numbers are used in different contexts. Remember to pay attention to gender and number agreement.

Partitive Number Examples

Partitive numbers are used to express fractions or portions of a whole. While less common than cardinal and ordinal numbers, they are still important to understand.

English	Spanish
Half of the cake.	La mitad del pastel.
One-third of the class.	Un tercio de la clase.
A quarter of an hour.	Un cuarto de hora.
One-fifth of the population.	Un quinto de la población.
One-sixth of the pie.	Un sexto del pastel.
One-seventh of the world.	Un séptimo del mundo.
One-eighth of the land.	Un octavo de la tierra.
One-ninth of the salary.	Un noveno del salario.
One-tenth of the profit.	Un décimo de la ganancia.
Half a liter.	Medio litro.
Half an hour.	Media hora.
A third of the pizza.	Un tercio de la pizza.
A quarter of the city.	Un cuarto de la ciudad.
A fifth of the money.	Un quinto del dinero.

The examples show how partitive numbers are used to describe portions or fractions. Pay attention to the use of the preposition “de” and the gender agreement of “medio”.

Collective Number Examples

Collective numbers are used to refer to groups or sets of things. They indicate a quantity of items taken as a unit.

English	Spanish
A pair of shoes.	Un par de zapatos.
A dozen eggs.	Una docena de huevos.
About a hundred people.	Una centena de personas.
About a thousand euros.	Un millar de euros.
A couple of days.	Un par de días.
A dozen roses.	Una docena de rosas.
Hundreds of stars.	Centenares de estrellas.
Thousands of butterflies.	Millares de mariposas.

These examples demonstrate the use of collective numbers to refer to groups or approximate quantities. They are used to express a quantity of items considered as a single unit.

Usage Rules for Spanish Numbers

There are several important rules to follow when using Spanish numbers. These rules cover gender agreement, number agreement, and contractions.

Gender Agreement

Some Spanish numbers must agree in gender with the noun they modify. This is particularly important for the number “uno” (one) and ordinal numbers.

Uno changes to un before masculine singular nouns and to una before feminine singular nouns. For example: un libro (one book), una mesa (one table).

Ordinal numbers also agree in gender with the noun they modify. For example: el primer libro (the first book), la primera mesa (the first table).

Number Agreement

Numbers must agree in number (singular or plural) with the noun they modify. This is particularly important for numbers greater than one.

Nouns that are quantified by numbers greater than one must be plural. For example: dos libros (two books), tres mesas (three tables).

When using “millón” (million), the noun following it must be preceded by “de”. For example: un millón de personas (one million people), dos millones de euros (two million euros).

Contractions

The numbers “primero” and “tercero” shorten to “primer” and “tercer” before masculine singular nouns.

For example: el primer día (the first day), el tercer piso (the third floor). This contraction is a stylistic preference and is commonly used in spoken and written Spanish.

Common Mistakes with Spanish Numbers

Even experienced learners can make mistakes with Spanish numbers. Here are some common errors and how to avoid them.

Incorrect	Correct	Explanation
Tengo un libro.	Tengo un libro.	This is correct because “un” agrees with the masculine noun “libro.”
Tengo uno libro.	Tengo un libro.	“Uno” should be shortened to “un” before a masculine singular noun.
Hay dos mesa.	Hay dos mesas.	The noun must be plural when used with a number greater than one.
El primero de mayo.	El primero de mayo.	This is correct. “Primero” is used for the first day of the month.
El un de mayo.	El primero de mayo.	Use the ordinal number “primero” for the first day of the month.
Tengo veinte y dos años.	Tengo veintidós años.	Numbers 21-29 are written as one word.
Tengo trienta años.	Tengo treinta años.	The correct spelling is “treinta.”
Hay cien personas.	Hay cien personas.	This is correct. “Cien” is used before nouns.
Hay ciento personas.	Hay cien personas.	“Ciento” is used when followed by other numbers, not before nouns.
Mil de personas.	Mil personas.	“Mil” does not require “de” after it.
Un millón personas.	Un millón de personas.	“Millón” requires “de” before the noun.

By being aware of these common mistakes, you can improve your accuracy and fluency when using Spanish numbers. Pay close attention to the rules and practice regularly.

Practice Exercises

Test your knowledge of Spanish numbers with these practice exercises. Each exercise focuses on a different aspect of number grammar.

Exercise 1: Cardinal Numbers

Question	Answer
How do you say 12 in Spanish?	Doce
How do you say 25 in Spanish?	Veinticinco
How do you say 48 in Spanish?	Cuarenta y ocho
How do you say 63 in Spanish?	Sesenta y tres
How do you say 89 in Spanish?	O chenta y nueve
How do you say 115 in Spanish?	Ciento quince
How do you say 352 in Spanish?	Trescientos cincuenta y dos
How do you say 1,287 in Spanish?	Mil doscientos ochenta y siete
How do you say 5,649 in Spanish?	Cinco mil seiscientos cuarenta y nueve
How do you say 10,321 in Spanish?	Diez mil trescientos veintiuno

Exercise 2: Ordinal Numbers

Question	Answer
How do you say “first” (masculine) in Spanish?	Primero (or Primer before a masculine noun)
How do you say “second” (feminine) in Spanish?	Segunda
How do you say “third” (masculine) in Spanish?	Tercero (or Tercer before a masculine noun)
How do you say “fifth” (feminine) in Spanish?	Quinta
How do you say “tenth” (masculine) in Spanish?	Décimo

Exercise 3: Fill in the Blanks

Complete the following sentences with the correct Spanish number.

1. Tengo ______ hermanos. (3)
2. Ella vive en el ______ piso. (7th)
3. Necesito ______ huevos. (12)
4. Hay ______ estudiantes en la clase. (21)
5. El coche cuesta ______ euros. (15,000)

Answers:

1. Tengo tres hermanos.
2. Ella vive en el séptimo piso.
3. Necesito doce huevos.
4. Hay veintiún estudiantes en la clase.
5. El coche cuesta quince mil euros.

Advanced Topics in Spanish Numbers

For advanced learners, understanding percentages, fractions, and decimals is crucial for more complex communication.

Percentages

Percentages are expressed using the word “por ciento” (percent). The number precedes “por ciento”.

For example: 50 por ciento (50 percent), 25 por ciento (25 percent), 100 por ciento (100 percent).

When referring to a specific amount, use “por ciento de”. For example: 50 por ciento de la población (50 percent of the population), 25 por ciento del pastel (25 percent of the cake).

Fractions

Fractions are expressed using partitive numbers (medio, tercio, cuarto, quinto, etc.). For fractions greater than one, the partitive number is pluralized.

For example: un medio (one half), un tercio (one third), dos cuartos (two fourths), tres quintos (three fifths).

For fractions with a numerator greater than one and a denominator greater than ten, use the cardinal number for the numerator and the ordinal number for the denominator, adding “-avos” to the end. For example: tres onceavos (three elevenths), cinco doceavos (five twelfths).

Decimals

Decimals are expressed using the word “coma” (comma) to separate the whole number from the decimal part. Each digit after the comma is read individually.

For example: 3,5 (tres coma cinco), 2,75 (dos coma setenta y cinco), 0,25 (cero coma veinticinco).

When referring to currency, the currency symbol is placed after the number. For example: 3,50 € (tres coma cincuenta euros), 2,75 $ (dos coma setenta y cinco dólares).

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Mastering Spanish numbers is an essential step in achieving fluency in the language. By understanding the different types of numbers, their formation, and usage rules, you can confidently use numbers in a wide range of contexts.

Practice regularly, pay attention to common mistakes, and don’t be afraid to ask questions. With dedication and effort, you’ll be able to navigate the world of Spanish numbers with ease.