Topic: Numbers

Topic: Numbers

Essential Basics

  • Start your revision by familiarising yourself with the numerical system in Spanish. Ensure to know numbers from 0 to 100, and be able to recognise useful numbers such as 500 (quinientos), 1,000 (mil) and 1,000,000 (un millón).
  • Spanish numbers can function as both nouns and adjectives. When functioning as an adjective, the number agrees with the gender and number of the noun it modifies.
  • The Spanish word for number is número. You might hear cuántos, which means ‘how many’ before an object count, for instance, ¿Cuántos libros tienes? (How many books do you have?).

Pronunciation and Accuracy

  • Focus on the irregular cardinal numbers (uno, dos, tres, etc.) in Spanish, such as primero and tercero, which drop the final ‘o’ before a masculine singular noun (el primer chico, el tercer día).
  • Pay attention to each number’s respective pronunciation to ensure proper articulation during the oral component of the assessment.

Understanding Relevance in Context

  • Time is a crucial element when discussing identity and culture. Hence, practise expressing various ways of telling time in Spanish using numbers.
  • Ordinal numbers (first, second, third, etc.) are important as they are used in daily life conversations, addresses, fractions, and dates.
  • Learn how to express practises related to numbers within the context of Spanish culture, such as Spanish customary ways of expressing time, dates and currency.

Expanding Vocabulary and Practice

  • Keep expanding your vocabulary by learning words associated with numbers such as ‘half’ (medio/a), ‘more than’ (más de), ‘less than’ (menos de), ‘about’ (cerca de), ‘almost’ (casi).
  • Engage with practise materials, such as worksheets and quizzes, to reinforce your understanding and fluency in Spanish numbers.
  • Always incorporate numbers in your speaking practise, as this will help you get comfortable using them in conversation.