Numbers in Spanish : complete course

What Are Numbers in Spanish?

Numbers in Spanish are one of the very first things you will learn when starting your Spanish journey. They are used every day, in every situation, from telling the time to shopping at a market. Learning them well gives you a strong foundation for everything else in the language.

In Spanish, numbers follow a logical pattern. Once you learn the basics, you can build larger numbers quite easily. Let us explore how they work!

Simple Examples to Get Started

Here are a few everyday situations where numbers appear:

• Ordering food: ‘Quiero dos tacos, por favor.’ (I want two tacos, please.)
• Giving your phone number: ‘Mi número es el cinco, tres, dos…’ (My number is five, three, two…)
• Telling your age: ‘Tengo veinte años.’ (I am twenty years old.)
• Shopping: ‘Cuesta diez euros.’ (It costs ten euros.)

The Key Elements of Numbers in Spanish

Spanish numbers can be grouped into several important categories. Let us look at the main ones.

Numbers from 1 to 10

These are the building blocks. You must know them by heart before moving on.

Numbers from 11 to 20

From 11 to 15, the numbers have unique forms that you simply need to memorise. From 16 to 19, they are built by combining ‘diez’ (ten) and the unit number using the connector ‘y’ (and).

• 11 = once
• 12 = doce
• 13 = trece
• 14 = catorce
• 15 = quince
• 16 = dieciséis (diez + y + seis)
• 17 = diecisiete
• 18 = dieciocho
• 19 = diecinueve
• 20 = veinte

Tens: 20, 30, 40 and Beyond

Once you reach 20, the pattern becomes very regular. The tens are easy to learn, and you combine them with units using ‘y’ (and).

Note that 21 to 29 are written as one single word: veintiuno, veintidós, veintitrés… but from 31 onwards, you always write them separately: treinta y uno, treinta y dos…

Why Numbers in Spanish Really Matter

You might wonder: why spend so much time on numbers? The answer is simple. Numbers are everywhere in real life. You need them to:

• Buy things and understand prices
• Book a hotel room or a table at a restaurant
• Tell the time or give a date
• Share your age, address or phone number
• Follow instructions that involve quantities

Without numbers, even the most basic conversations become very difficult. Think of numbers as the skeleton of everyday communication. They support everything else.

Comparison with Other Languages

If you already speak English or French, you will notice some interesting similarities and differences with Spanish numbers.

Spanish and French are both Romance languages, so they share Latin roots. That is why some numbers look quite similar. English numbers, on the other hand, come from Germanic roots, so they can feel more different. Good news for French speakers: Spanish numbers will feel very familiar to you!

A Complete Example

Let us put everything together with a short, realistic dialogue at a market:

– Buenos días. ¿Cuántas manzanas quiere? (Good morning. How many apples do you want?)

– Quiero doce manzanas, por favor. ¿Cuánto cuesta? (I want twelve apples, please. How much does it cost?)

– Son tres euros con cincuenta céntimos. (That is three euros and fifty cents.)

– Aquí tiene. ¡Gracias! (Here you go. Thank you!)

In this short exchange, you can see: doce (12), tres (3) and cincuenta (50). Numbers are already doing important work!

Key Points to Remember

• Learn numbers 1 to 10 first. They are the foundation of everything.
• Numbers 11 to 15 are irregular and must be memorised.
• Numbers 16 to 19 are compound words combining ‘diez’ and the unit.
• From 20, numbers follow a very regular pattern with ‘y’ between tens and units.
• 21 to 29 are written as one word; 31 and above are written as separate words.
• Practice numbers every day: count objects around you, say prices out loud, tell the time in Spanish.

Take your time with numbers. Practice a little every day, use games and flashcards, and soon they will feel completely natural. Consistency is the key!

Sources

• Real Academia Española (RAE) – Diccionario de la lengua española, available at rae.es
• Instituto Cervantes – El español en el mundo, available at cervantes.es
• Penny, Ralph – A History of the Spanish Language, Cambridge University Press, 2002.