Language/Spanish/Vocabulary/Numbers-and-Counting

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Spanish → Vocabulary → 0 to A1 Course → Common Words and Phrases → Numbers and Counting

Introduction

¡Hola! Welcome to the "Complete 0 to A1 Spanish Course." In this lesson, we will dive into the fascinating world of Spanish numbers and counting. Numbers are an essential part of any language, and learning them will greatly enhance your ability to communicate in Spanish.

Throughout this lesson, we will cover the Spanish number system, from the basic numbers to more complex ones. We will also explore interesting cultural facts and information related to numbers in the Spanish-speaking world. By the end of this lesson, you will be able to count from 1 to 100 with confidence.

So, let's get started with the basics!

Spanish Number System

The Spanish number system is based on the decimal system, just like in English. However, there are a few differences in how numbers are constructed and pronounced.

In Spanish, the numbers from 0 to 15 have unique names, while the numbers from 16 to 19 are formed by combining the names of the tens with the names of the units. For example, 16 is "dieciséis," which literally translates to "ten-six."

Starting from 20, the numbers are formed by combining the names of the tens with the word "y" (and), followed by the names of the units. For example, 24 is "veinticuatro," which translates to "twenty-four."

Let's take a look at the numbers from 0 to 30 in the table below:

Spanish	Pronunciation	English
0	cero	zero
1	uno	one
2	dos	two
3	tres	three
4	cuatro	four
5	cinco	five
6	seis	six
7	siete	seven
8	ocho	eight
9	nueve	nine
10	diez	ten
11	once	eleven
12	doce	twelve
13	trece	thirteen
14	catorce	fourteen
15	quince	fifteen
16	dieciséis	sixteen
17	diecisiete	seventeen
18	dieciocho	eighteen
19	diecinueve	nineteen
20	veinte	twenty
21	veintiuno	twenty-one
22	veintidós	twenty-two
23	veintitrés	twenty-three
24	veinticuatro	twenty-four
25	veinticinco	twenty-five
26	veintiséis	twenty-six
27	veintisiete	twenty-seven
28	veintiocho	twenty-eight
29	veintinueve	twenty-nine
30	treinta	thirty

As you can see, the numbers 16 to 29 follow a consistent pattern of combining the word "veinti" with the units, such as "veintiuno" for 21 or "veintinueve" for 29.

Counting from 30 to 100

Now that we have covered the numbers from 0 to 30, let's move on to counting from 30 to 100. The numbers in this range follow a similar pattern, where the names of the tens are combined with the word "y" (and), followed by the names of the units.

Let's take a look at the numbers from 30 to 40 in the table below:

Spanish	Pronunciation	English
30	treinta	thirty
31	treinta y uno	thirty-one
32	treinta y dos	thirty-two
33	treinta y tres	thirty-three
34	treinta y cuatro	thirty-four
35	treinta y cinco	thirty-five
36	treinta y seis	thirty-six
37	treinta y siete	thirty-seven
38	treinta y ocho	thirty-eight
39	treinta y nueve	thirty-nine
40	cuarenta	forty

From 40 to 100, the numbers follow a similar pattern. Here are a few examples:

• 45: cuarenta y cinco (forty-five)
• 52: cincuenta y dos (fifty-two)
• 68: sesenta y ocho (sixty-eight)
• 73: setenta y tres (seventy-three)
• 89: ochenta y nueve (eighty-nine)
• 97: noventa y siete (ninety-seven)
• 100: cien (one hundred)

Remember to use the word "y" (and) to separate the tens from the units. For example, 53 is "cincuenta y tres" (fifty-three).

Cultural Information

Numbers play a significant role in Spanish culture, and there are a few interesting facts and cultural practices related to numbers that you may find intriguing.

1. Lucky and Unlucky Numbers: Like in many cultures, certain numbers are considered lucky or unlucky in Spanish-speaking countries. For example, the number 7 is often associated with good luck, while the number 13 is considered unlucky.

2. Numerical Superstitions: There are various superstitions related to numbers in Spanish-speaking countries. For instance, it is believed that breaking a mirror brings 7 years of bad luck.

3. Number Systems in Different Spanish-Speaking Countries: While the basic number system is the same across Spanish-speaking countries, there may be regional variations in pronunciation and usage. For example, in some Latin American countries, the number 15 is pronounced as "quince," while in Spain, it is pronounced as "quince."

4. Phone Numbers: In Spanish-speaking countries, phone numbers are often spoken digit by digit. For example, if a phone number is 555-1234, it would be pronounced as "cinco, cinco, cinco, uno, dos, tres, cuatro."

5. Prices and Bargaining: When shopping or bargaining in Spanish-speaking countries, numbers are used extensively. It's important to be familiar with numbers and basic math to understand prices and negotiate effectively.

Conclusion

Congratulations! You have now learned how to understand the Spanish number system and count from 1 to 100. Remember to practice these numbers regularly to reinforce your learning.

In this lesson, we explored the basics of Spanish numbers and counting, and we also delved into interesting cultural facts related to numbers in the Spanish-speaking world. Understanding numbers is crucial for everyday conversations, shopping, telling time, and many other aspects of life in a Spanish-speaking country.

Keep up the great work, and in the next lesson, we will delve into the days of the week and months of the year in Spanish.

¡Hasta luego! (See you later!)

Table of Contents - Spanish Course - 0 to A1

• Course Presentation

  ---

Introduction to Spanish

• The Spanish Alphabet and Pronunciation
• Nouns and Gender
• Definite and Indefinite Articles
• Subject Pronouns

  ---

Verbs

• Present Tense Verbs
• Ser and Estar
• Reflexive Verbs

  ---

Adjectives

• Descriptive Adjectives
• Demonstrative Adjectives

  ---

Pronouns

• Direct Object Pronouns
• Indirect Object Pronouns

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Common Words and Phrases

• Greetings and Salutations
• Numbers and Counting
• Days of the Week and Months of the Year

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Food and Drink

• Common Foods
• Restaurant Phrases

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Travel and Directions

• Asking for Directions
• Hotel Vocabulary

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Spanish-Speaking Countries

• Spain: History and Culture
• Latin America: History and Culture

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Celebrations and Festivals

• Día de los Muertos
• Cinco de Mayo

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Hispanic Heritage Month

• Notable Hispanic Figures
• Hispanic Influence on Music and Dance

Sources

• Spanish Numbers and Counting - Lawless Spanish Vocabulary
• Spanish Numbers. Learn Numbers in Spanish 1-100 | don Quijote
• Spanish Numbers: How to Count from 1 - 1,000+ in Spanish

Other Lessons

• Parts of a leaf
• Huesos
• Las Frutas
• At Home
• Zodíaco
• Soccer
• Olympic Sports
• The 4 Seasons
• Slang
• Animals

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