Numbers

Basic Numbers

Begin by memorising basic numbers from 1-10: uno, dos, tres, cuatro, cinco, seis, siete, ocho, nueve, diez.
After memorising 1-10, move onto double digits: once (11), doce (12), trece (13), catorce (14), quince (15).
16-20 have a distinct pattern: dieciséis (16), diecisiete (17), dieciocho (18), diecinueve (19), veinte (20).

Tens and Hundreds

The rest of the tens follow a clear pattern: treinta (30), cuarenta (40), cincuenta (50), sesenta (60), setenta (70), ochenta (80), noventa (90).
The hundreds are relatively simple too: cien (100), doscientos (200), trescientos (300), cuatrocientos (400), quinientos (500), seiscientos (600), setecientos (700), ochocientos (800), novecientos (900).

Expressing Numbers

The numbers in between the tens can be expressed by using ‘y’. For instance, 33 would be ‘treinta y tres’.
‘Mil’ means 1,000, and other thousands are said as multiples of ‘mil’ (dos mil, tres mil, etc.)

Learn the words for general number-related terms: número (number), cero (zero), par (even), impar (odd), mitad (half), cuarto (quarter), tercio (third), and doble (double).
Percentages are expressed as ‘por ciento’. So, 50% would be ‘cincuenta por ciento’.

Expressions of Time

For expressions of time, note the use of ‘y’ and ‘menos’. For example, ‘son las tres y diez’ for 3:10, and ‘son las cuatro menos cuarto’ for 3:45.

Study Tips

Practice, practise, practise! Make use of online resources and flashcards to improve your ability to recognise and use numbers in Spanish.