Numbers from 0 to 100

Let's start counting...

In the ninth class of our Absolute Beginner Spanish course we are going to learn the Spanish cardinal numerals from 0 to 100.

Cardinal Numerals

Cardinal numerals are, in plain English, the normal numbers, that is, not the ordinal numbers such as first, second, etc.

From 0 to 10

Each of these numbers need to be learned by heart, as they are the most basic ones and will be the foundations for bigger numbers.

• cero

• uno

• dos

• tres

• cuatro

• cinco

• seis

• siete

• ocho

• nueve

• diez

From 11 to 19

In this group we have two kinds of numbers: those which you also need to learn by heart (11-15) and those which are formed by diez (diec‑) + y (‑i‑) + unit (16-19).

• once

• doce

• trece

• catorce

• quince

• dieciséis

• diecisiete

• dieciocho

• diecinueve

From 20 to 100

What you have to take into account here is that you should learn the tens (20, 30, 40…) totally by heart. Then, 21-29 are slightly irregular and written in one word. After that, everything is completely regular: ten + y + unit.

• veinte

• veintiuno

• veintidós

• veintitrés

• veinticuatro

• veinticinco

• veintiséis

• veintisiete

• veintiocho

• veintinueve

• treinta

• treinta y uno

• treinta y dos

Notice the diphthong in the root of veinte and treinta. It won’t appear from now on:

• cuarenta (40)

• cincuenta (50)

• sesenta (60)

• setenta (70)

• ochenta (80)

• noventa (90)

• cien (100)

Tens + Units

Starting from 30, it is supereasy to make numbers such as 38, 46, 72 or 99. You just have to use the following pattern: ten + y + unit (three different words). And that’s it!

For example, it would be treinta y ocho, cuarenta y seis, setenta y dos and noventa y nueve.

There are bigger numbers, and we will study them. But for now, this is good enough!