Numbers are the backbone of everyday conversation - whether you’re ordering dos cafés, catching a bus, or haggling at a market. Spanish numbers follow a logical pattern, and once you grasp the basics, the rest falls into place. Here’s how to master 1 to 50 in minutes.
The Basics: 1 to 15
Start with these foundational numbers. Pay attention to pronunciation - Spanish vowels are crisp and short.
| Number | Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | uno | /ˈuno/ |
| 2 | dos | /ˈdos/ |
| 3 | tres | /ˈtɾes/ |
| 4 | cuatro | /ˈkwatɾo/ |
| 5 | cinco | /ˈθiŋko/ |
| 6 | seis | /ˈseis/ |
| 7 | siete | /ˈsjete/ |
| 8 | ocho | /ˈotʃo/ |
| 9 | nueve | /ˈnweβe/ |
| 10 | diez | /ˈdjeθ/ |
| 11 | once | /ˈonθe/ |
| 12 | doce | /ˈdoθe/ |
| 13 | trece | /ˈtɾeθe/ |
| 14 | catorce | /kaˈtoɾθe/ |
| 15 | quince | /ˈkinθe/ |
Note: The number ‘uno’ becomes ‘un’ before masculine nouns (e.g., un libro) and ‘una’ before feminine nouns (una mesa).
The Teens and Twenties: 16 to 29
From 16 onwards, numbers are built by combining ‘diez’ (10) or ‘veinte’ (20) with smaller numbers. Hyphens are used in writing.
- 16: dieciséis (/djeθiˈseis/)
- 17: diecisiete (/djeθiˈsjete/)
- 20: veinte (/ˈbeinte/)
- 21: veintiuno (/beintiˈuno/)
The Thirties to Fifty: 30 to 50
The pattern continues with multiples of 10, followed by ‘y’ (and) and the unit number. For example, 32 is treinta y dos.
- 30: treinta (/ˈtɾeinta/)
- 40: cuarenta (/kwaˈɾenta/)
- 50: cincuenta (/θinˈkwenta/)
cincuenta
/θinˈkwenta/“fifty”
The number 50 in Spanish. Often used in contexts like age, prices, or quantities (e.g., cincuenta euros).
Quick Tips for Memorisation
- Group numbers by tens to spot patterns (e.g., -enta for 30, 40, 50).
- Practice with real-life scenarios: count steps, coins, or items in a shop.
- Listen to Spanish songs or podcasts mentioning numbers - like this guide to foundational Estonian vocabulary suggests for other languages.
Pro tip: Spanish numbers are consistent across dialects. Whether you’re in Madrid or Mexico City, veinte is always 20.
