Learn Spanish (Latin America): Necesitamos veintiséis platos y veintisiete vasos. - We need twenty-six plates and twenty-seven glasses.

Necesitamos veintiséis platos y veintisiete vasos.

We need twenty-six plates and twenty-seven glasses.

Breakdown of Necesitamos veintiséis platos y veintisiete vasos.

Questions & Answers about Necesitamos veintiséis platos y veintisiete vasos.

Why are veintiséis and veintisiete written as single words instead of three?

In Spanish, the numbers 16 through 29 are written as one single word. The parts merge together, changing the final e in veinte and the y (and) into an i. So, veinte y seis becomes veintiséis. From 31 onwards, the numbers split into three separate words again, like treinta y uno.

Why does veintiséis have an accent mark on the letter e, but veintisiete doesn't?

When you pronounce veintiséis, the strongest emphasis is on the final syllable. Spanish words ending in s usually put the emphasis on the second-to-last syllable, so an accent mark is added to show this pronunciation rule is being broken. veintisiete doesn't need an accent mark because its natural emphasis lands on the second-to-last syllable (sie), which perfectly follows the standard rule for words ending in a vowel.

There is no word for we in this sentence. How do we know who needs the plates?

The verb ending tells you who is doing the action. The -amos ending on necesitamos specifically means we need. While you could include the word nosotros (we) at the beginning, Spanish speakers usually leave it out because the verb itself already gives you that information.

Does vasos refer to any kind of cup?