Video lesson + interactive exercises (see below)
In today’s article we are going to learn how to write the cardinal numbers from 1 to 100. What are cardinal numbers? Cardinal numbers are those we use to count or to specify the amount of something.
We’ll look at the numbers in four blocks: from 0 to 9, 10 to 19, 20 to 29 and 30 to 100. We are going to learn to write the different cardinal numbers properly, and at the end of the article I left some activities so you can practice.
If you would also like to practice and listen to the pronunciation of the cardinal numbers, you can watch the video lesson further below.
First block. Numbers from 0 to 9:
| 0 = cero | 5 = cinco |
| 1 = uno | 6 = seis |
| 2 = dos | 7 = siete |
| 3 = tres | 8 = ocho |
| 4 = cuatro | 9 = nueve |
Here you have examples of cardinal numbers. You have to memorize these numbers.
In addition, they will serve as a base when forming larger numbers.
Second block. Numbers from 10 to 19:
| 10 = diez | 15 = quince |
| 11 = once | 16 = dieciséis |
| 12 = doce | 17 = diecisiete |
| 13 = trece | 18 = dieciocho |
| 14 = catorce | 19 = diecinueve |
These numbers are written as a single word. You have to learn the cardinal numbers from 10 to 15 by heart. But, from 16 onwards it gets easier.
I’m sure that you noticed that from 16 to 19 the root of the number is dieci- followed by the number 6, 7, 8 and 9. But don’t forget that they are written in one word. And why do I repeat this so often? Well, because other numbers are written separated.
Third block. Numbers from 20 to 29:
| 20 = veinte | 25 = veinticinco |
| 21 = veintiuno | 26 = veintiséis |
| 22 = veintidós | 27 = veintisiete |
| 23 = veintitrés | 28 = veintiocho |
| 24 = veinticuatro | 29 = veintinueve |
Did you notice something? Apart from 20, the rest of the numbers are formed with the root veinti- + the corresponding number.
And I’m insisting again. Don’t forget to write them as a single word.
Alright, now you’ve seen the cardinal numbers from 1 to 20.
Here comes the fourth and final block. Numbers from 30 to 100:
| 30 = treinta | 70 = setenta |
| 40 = cuarenta | 80 = ochenta |
| 50 = cincuenta | 90 = noventa |
| 60 = sesenta | 100 = cien |
And how to form the rest of the numbers from 30 to 99? It’s super simple. You only have to add “y uno; y dos; y tres“, etc.
For example: 31 = treinta y uno, 42 = cuarenta y dos, 53 = cincuenta y tres, etc. It’s easy, isn’t it?!
And, to conclude…let’s talk about the number 1 (el uno)
The Spanish numbers usually don’t have a feminine or masculine form, except one. And that’s “uno”. This one does have a masculine and a feminine form: uno/una. You have to adapt it depending on the name (object/person) that comes after it. For example:
- ¿Cuántos vasos hay? (How many glasses are there?) Hay uno (el vaso). (There’s one.)
- ¿Cuántas botellas hay? (How many bottles are there?) Hay una (la botella). (There’s one.)
This concludes the cardinal numbers until 100. Now you can watch the video to learn Spanish with the numbers. You can also practice your pronunciation with it. And afterwards there are some exercises to learn how to correctly write the different cardinal numbers, and to practice.