📚 Spanish Cardinal Numbers

Apr 07, 2025

¡Hola, language learners! 👋 Are you ready to master Spanish numbers? Whether you're counting, telling time, or shopping, numbers are essential in everyday conversations. This lesson will teach you how to count from 0 to 100, pronunciation tips, and fun practice exercises. Let’s dive in!

🔢 Spanish Numbers 0-100 (The Basics)

0-10: The Foundation

0️⃣ Cero
1️⃣ Uno (una) (changes gender: "un libro" vs. "una casa")
2️⃣ Dos
3️⃣ Tres
4️⃣ Cuatro
5️⃣ Cinco
6️⃣ Seis
7️⃣ Siete
8️⃣ Ocho
9️⃣ Nueve
🔟 Diez

11-15: Unique Names

1️⃣1️⃣ Once (not diez y uno)
1️⃣2️⃣ Doce
1️⃣3️⃣ Trece
1️⃣4️⃣ Catorce
1️⃣5️⃣ Quince

16-29: One-Word Numbers

1️⃣6️⃣ Dieciséis (not "diez y seis")
1️⃣7️⃣ Diecisiete
1️⃣8️⃣ Dieciocho
1️⃣9️⃣ Diecinueve
2️⃣0️⃣ Veinte
2️⃣1️⃣ Veintiuno (becomes "veintiún" before masculine nouns: "veintiún días")
2️⃣2️⃣ Veintidós
... up to 29 (veintinueve)

30-100: Decenas (Tens)

3️⃣0️⃣ Treinta
4️⃣0️⃣ Cuarenta
5️⃣0️⃣ Cincuenta
6️⃣0️⃣ Sesenta
7️⃣0️⃣ Setenta
8️⃣0️⃣ Ochenta
9️⃣0️⃣ Noventa
💯 Cien (100)

Forming numbers 31-99:
🔹 Decena + "y" + unidad

31 = Treinta y uno
42 = Cuarenta y dos
58 = Cincuenta y ocho

🚀 Beyond 100: Hundreds, Thousands & Millions

100-1,000

💯 Cien (100)
101 = Ciento uno (never "cien y uno")
200 = Doscientos (feminine: "doscientas")
300 = Trescientos
500 = Quinientos (not "cincocientos")
700 = Setecientos
900 = Novecientos
1,000 = Mil (no plural: "dos mil," not "miles")

1,000,000+

1,000,000 = Un millón
2,000,000 = Dos millones
1,000,000,000 = Mil millones (or "un billón" in some countries)

💾 Save the images to practice:

🎯 How to Use Spanish Numbers in Real Life

Numbers are everywhere! Here’s how to apply them:

💬 Real-Life Examples

📞 Phone numbers: "Mi número es seis-siete-ocho-dos-cinco-cero-uno"
⏰ Telling time: "Son las tres y cuarenta" (3:40)
💰 Prices: "Cuesta veinte euros" (€20)
🎂 Age: "Tengo veinticinco años" (I’m 25)

📌 Key Rules & Common Mistakes

❌ Never say "cien y uno" → ✅ Ciento uno
❌ Avoid "veinte y uno" → ✅ Veintiuno
✅ "Uno" shortens to "un" before masculine nouns ("treinta y un libros")
✅ "Cien" becomes "ciento" after 100 (ciento cinco)