Spanish numbers (números en español) are fundamental building blocks of the language that you’ll use in countless everyday situations. From shopping and telling time to exchanging phone numbers and discussing prices, mastering these numbers will help you navigate Spanish-speaking environments with confidence.
Essential Number Groups
Basic Numbers (0-10)
- 0 – Cero
- 1 – Uno
- 2 – Dos
- 3 – Tres
- 4 – Cuatro
- 5 – Cinco
- 6 – Seis
- 7 – Siete
- 8 – Ocho
- 9 – Nueve
- 10 – Diez
Teen Numbers (11-15)
These numbers have unique forms:
- 11 – Once
- 12 – Doce
- 13 – Trece
- 14 – Catorce
- 15 – Quince
Numbers 16-19
These numbers use “dieci-” + the corresponding single digit:
- 16 – Dieciséis
- 17 – Diecisiete
- 18 – Dieciocho
- 19 – Diecinueve
Numbers in the Twenties
Numbers from 21-29 use “veinti-” + the single digit:
- 20 – Veinte
- 21 – Veintiuno
- 22 – Veintidós
- 23 – Veintitrés
- 24 – Veinticuatro
- 25 – Veinticinco
Forming Larger Numbers
Tens (30-90)
After 30, numbers are formed using the tens number + “y” + the single digit:
- 30 – Treinta
- 40 – Cuarenta
- 50 – Cincuenta
- 60 – Sesenta
- 70 – Setenta
- 80 – Ochenta
- 90 – Noventa
Examples:
- 31 = Treinta y uno
- 45 = Cuarenta y cinco
- 67 = Sesenta y siete
Hundreds (100-900)
- 100 – Cien/Ciento
- 200 – Doscientos
- 300 – Trescientos
- 400 – Cuatrocientos
- 500 – Quinientos
- 600 – Seiscientos
- 700 – Setecientos
- 800 – Ochocientos
- 900 – Novecientos
Note: Use “cien” when saying exactly 100, and “ciento” when combining with other numbers (ciento uno = 101).
Large Numbers
- 1,000 – Mil
- 1,000,000 – Un millón
- 1,000,000,000 – Mil millones / Un billón
Key Rules and Tips
- Gender Agreement: When uno/una is used as part of a larger number, it must agree with the gender of the noun: * Veintiún libros (21 books – masculine) * Veintiuna mesas (21 tables – feminine)
- Number Writing: Spanish uses periods where English uses commas and vice versa: * English: 1,234.56 * Spanish: 1.234,56
- Common Uses: * Phone numbers: Numbers are usually said individually (7-2-4…) * Ages: “Tengo veinticinco años” (I’m 25 years old) * Prices: “Cuesta treinta y dos euros” (It costs 32 euros) * Time: “Son las dos y media” (It’s 2:30)
Regional Variations
Some Spanish-speaking countries have different terms for billion:
- Spain and most countries: mil millones (1,000,000,000)
- Some Latin American countries: un billón
Remember that Spanish numbers follow logical patterns once you understand the basic building blocks. The key is recognizing these patterns and applying them consistently.