Being able to handle numbers (los números) and tell time (decir la hora) are crucial skills for anyone learning Spanish. From ordering food and asking for prices to making plans and understanding schedules, these basics are used constantly in everyday conversation.

This guide will walk you through the Spanish number system and the different ways to ask for and state the time, providing a solid foundation for beginners.

Spanish Numbers (Los Números)

Spanish numbers follow clear patterns, with a few key points to remember.

Numbers 0-10

• 0 - cero
• 1 - uno (becomes un before masculine nouns, una before feminine nouns)
• 2 - dos
• 3 - tres
• 4 - cuatro
• 5 - cinco
• 6 - seis
• 7 - siete
• 8 - ocho
• 9 - nueve
• 10 - diez

Numbers 11-19

These have unique forms, especially 11-15.

• 11 - once
• 12 - doce
• 13 - trece
• 14 - catorce
• 15 - quince
• 16 - dieciséis (diez y seis)
• 17 - diecisiete (diez y siete)
• 18 - dieciocho (diez y ocho)
• 19 - diecinueve (diez y nueve)

Note how 16-19 are formed by combining diez (ten) and the unit number, often merging into one word.

Tens (20-90)

• 20 - veinte
• 30 - treinta
• 40 - cuarenta
• 50 - cincuenta
• 60 - sesenta
• 70 - setenta
• 80 - ochenta
• 90 - noventa

Combining Tens and Units (21-99)

• 21-29: Combine into one word: veintiuno (veinte y uno), veintidós, veintitrés... veintinueve. (Note the accent on veintidós, veintitrés, veintiséis).
• 31-99: Use the ten, followed by y (and), followed by the unit:
  • 31 - treinta y uno
  • 45 - cuarenta y cinco
  • 78 - setenta y ocho
  • 99 - noventa y nueve

100 and Beyond

• 100 - cien (used when exactly 100 or before nouns/mil/millones)
• 101 - ciento uno (use ciento for 101-199)
• 150 - ciento cincuenta
• 200 - doscientos/as (agrees in gender with noun)
• 500 - quinientos/as (irregular!)
• 700 - setecientos/as
• 900 - novecientos/as
• 1000 - mil (Note: *not* un mil)
• 2000 - dos mil
• 1,000,000 - un millón (requires 'de' before a noun: un millón de personas)

Telling Time in Spanish (Decir la Hora)

Telling time involves the verb ser (to be) and feminine articles because hora (hour) is feminine.

Asking the Time

The most common way is:

• ¿Qué hora es? (What time is it?)

On the Hour

• For 1 o'clock: Es la una. (Use singular es and la)
• For all other hours: Son las + [number]. (Use plural son and las)
  • Son las dos. (It's 2 o'clock.)
  • Son las diez. (It's 10 o'clock.)
• You can add en punto for "exactly" or "sharp": Son las siete en punto. (It's 7 o'clock sharp.)

Minutes Past the Hour (Up to 30)

Use [Hour] + y + [minutes].

• Es la una y cinco. (It's 1:05.)
• Son las ocho y diez. (It's 8:10.)
• Quarter Past: Son las tres y cuarto. (It's 3:15 - cuarto = quarter)
• Half Past: Son las nueve y media. (It's 9:30 - media = half)
• Son las once y veinticinco. (It's 11:25.)

Minutes To the Hour (After 30)

Use [Next Hour] + menos + [minutes remaining]. Subtract minutes from the *next* hour.

• Son las seis menos veinte. (It's 5:40 - Twenty minutes to six)
• Es la una menos cuarto. (It's 12:45 - Quarter to one)
• Son las diez menos cinco. (It's 9:55 - Five minutes to ten)

Alternative: In some regions, especially Latin America, it's common to continue counting past 30 (e.g., Son las cinco y cuarenta for 5:40). However, the `menos` structure is widely understood and standard.

Noon and Midnight

• Noon: Es el mediodía. (It's noon.)
• Midnight: Es la medianoche. (It's midnight.)

AM/PM & 24-Hour Clock

To specify AM/PM with the 12-hour clock:

• de la mañana (in the morning - approx. 1 AM to noon)
• de la tarde (in the afternoon/evening - approx. noon to 7-8 PM)
• de la noche (at night - approx. 7-8 PM to midnight)

Example: Son las tres de la tarde. (It's 3:00 PM.)

The 24-hour clock is also common, especially in official schedules (transport, etc.). It's read as the numbers, often using `horas`. Example: El tren sale a las dieciséis horas. (The train leaves at 16:00 / 4 PM.)

Tips for Learning Spanish Numbers and Time

• Practice Counting Aloud: Count things daily - forwards and backwards.
• Use Flashcards: Especially helpful for 11-19, tens, and tricky hundreds (like `quinientos`).
• Drill Time Phrases: Practice `y cuarto`, `y media`, `menos cuarto` regularly.
• Say the Time Often: Look at the clock and say the time in Spanish, using both `y` and `menos` forms.
• Listen to Spanish Media: Pay attention to times and prices mentioned in videos, podcasts, or conversations.
• Engage with Exercises: Utilize online quizzes and interactive exercises. Our online Spanish courses offer dedicated practice.

Conclusion

Numbers and time are fundamental building blocks for Spanish communication. While there are specific rules and some irregularities (like numbers 11-15 or the `menos` structure for time), the patterns are largely logical.

By dedicating time to practice counting, learning the time-telling structures, and using them actively, you'll quickly gain the confidence to handle everyday situations involving numbers and schedules in Spanish. ¡Buena suerte!